***The North Rim Circuit of the CCBR is finishing up being scouted.
North Rim Circuit Overview
The North Rim Circuit of the Capes of the Canyon Bikepacking Route (CCBR) takes riders from the desert base of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument at 3100 feet to the subalpine meadows and sprawling aspen forests of the Kaibab Plateau at 9200 feet. In-between, it weaves a circumference dirt tour of North Rim viewpoints along the edge of the Grand Canyon. Capes include Gunsight, Jumpup, Sowats, Thunder River, Monument, Crazy Jug, Parissawampitts, Fence, Locust, North/Timp, Fire, Swamp, Point Sublime, Bright Angel, Cape Royale, Point Imperial, Nankoweap, Marble, and Buck Farm. The route starts at Lees Ferry where riders can touch the Colorado River to begin and finish their rides. Look forward to multiple views of the esplanade along the Kanab Creek Wilderness, the possibility of sleeping in old Forest Service cabins at Jumpup and Big Springs, riding across the plateau of House Rock Valley, and seeing broad meadows cupped by conifers.
The goal of the route is to hit every bike-legal track that takes a rider to views of the Grand Canyon along the North Rim, Kaibab Plateau, and Marble Canyon. It provides an additional tour of the Colorado Plateau by way of an extensive network of forest service roads that wind through ponderosas, spruce, firs, aspen, sage, tablelands, and plateaus in and near the Kaibab National Forest. This route offers remote high-country riding down seldom-visited roads, a chance to bike singletrack along the Grand Canyon at Rainbow Rim, multiple opportunities for dispersed camping at the rim edge, sections of the Arizona Trail, and, for those who store their bike on top, the chance to hike down into the inner gorge at notable trailheads within Grand Canyon National Park.
The goal of the route is to hit every bike-legal track that takes a rider to views of the Grand Canyon along the North Rim, Kaibab Plateau, and Marble Canyon. It provides an additional tour of the Colorado Plateau by way of an extensive network of forest service roads that wind through ponderosas, spruce, firs, aspen, sage, tablelands, and plateaus in and near the Kaibab National Forest. This route offers remote high-country riding down seldom-visited roads, a chance to bike singletrack along the Grand Canyon at Rainbow Rim, multiple opportunities for dispersed camping at the rim edge, sections of the Arizona Trail, and, for those who store their bike on top, the chance to hike down into the inner gorge at notable trailheads within Grand Canyon National Park.
Map and GPX of the Route
Route Guide Sections
- Route Overview
- Map and GPX
- Route Design Philosophy and Vision
- Route Description
- Route Conditions and Direction to Ride
- Temperature, Climate, and When to Ride
- North Rim vs. South Rim Routes
- Ecoregions and Landscape
- Where Bikes Are Allowed and Not Allowed
- Native Nations and This Land
- Leave No Trace and Bikepacking Ethics for the Colorado Plateau
- Water Sources
- Camping
- Food and Resupplying
- Fees and Permits
- Where to Park Your Vehicle
- Additional Important Information
- Other Rides in the Area
- Route Alerts and Rider Feedback
Route Design Philosophy and Vision
This route was not designed to be straight point-to-point endeavor. Instead, it weaves, spiderwebs, and wraps around the famously sought and the little seen aspects of the Grand Canyon rim region. When I ride, I ride for topophilia - a love of place. I ride to know an area's biodiversity, to breathe its odors, to see its beautiful niches, and to appreciate its detail. This route represents that approach.
A "cape" in geography refers to a high point of land that extends into a river, lake, or ocean. As unusual a comparison as it may seem, I often feel the Grand Canyon is analogized best as where ocean meets land: the rims swell as elevated crests before plunging into a volume of space a mile deep. The canyon is a sank range, an inverse mountain. When you ride to the capes on this route, you'll stand on juts of land protruding into geological space. The primary goal of the Capes of the Canyon Bikepacking Route is to take riders to notable rim overlooks of the inner Grand Canyon gorge. Your goal as the rider is to hit each one and soak them in. Sure, you can cut off time and distance by eliminating some of the spokes on the circumference of this ride, but know that you'll be missing some singularly interesting landscapes, ecosystems, history, culture, and views.
Ride the spokes.
A "cape" in geography refers to a high point of land that extends into a river, lake, or ocean. As unusual a comparison as it may seem, I often feel the Grand Canyon is analogized best as where ocean meets land: the rims swell as elevated crests before plunging into a volume of space a mile deep. The canyon is a sank range, an inverse mountain. When you ride to the capes on this route, you'll stand on juts of land protruding into geological space. The primary goal of the Capes of the Canyon Bikepacking Route is to take riders to notable rim overlooks of the inner Grand Canyon gorge. Your goal as the rider is to hit each one and soak them in. Sure, you can cut off time and distance by eliminating some of the spokes on the circumference of this ride, but know that you'll be missing some singularly interesting landscapes, ecosystems, history, culture, and views.
Ride the spokes.
Route Description
Start your ride at the low point of the route at Lees Ferry located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. Leave your vehicle in the long-term parking noted on the map. Begin by walking down the boat beach to the Colorado River. This is the only place on the route, at 3100 feet, where your bicycle can be ridden to the river below the rim. Look at the stratified rock faces around you and begin to ride up and through the tumbling stone landscapes of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
Once on 89A, head right and continue around the cliff faces until you hit House Rock Valley Road. Take a right and get on dirt. As the valley closes up, you'll arrive at a Condor Viewing Site managed by The Peregrine Fund. Stop and look through the binoculars at the whitewash along the cliffs where endangered California Condors are released each September and where many come to permanently roost. Continue to steadily climb until the Paria Plateau evens out with you to your east. Intricate, colorful, and gorgeous rock formations will begin to pour out of the sand in large swirling teepee and butte chunks such as Coyote Buttes and The Wave (both require permits to view). At Stateline Campground you can grab a campsite, see the northern terminus of the Arizona Trail, and then cross into Utah. Continue on as the wall of vibrant orange, reds, ochres, and purples to your right become the southern boundaries of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and its famous Cockscomb.
At Buckskin Gulch Trailhead, you'll swing left and climb up an old dirt road into the Buckskin Mountains before turning south and reentering Arizona. Continue south cycling on top of the mountains/plateaus until you reach Winter Road and swing west. The desertscape here can be quite exposed so make sure you fill up at all Wildlife Tanks you come across. The juniper, sage, and grasslands will begin to slop you down towards Highway 89A where you join it shortly to arrive at Fredonia, AZ. Fredonia offers some convenience store resupplies, water, and lodging. Swing south on FS 22 just outside town to begin a long climb back up towards the Kaibab Plateau that cuts across BLM land. Make sure to turn around frequently to catch awesome panoramas of the Grand Staircase along with the mountain formations of Bryce Canyon and Zion in the northern distance. The road here is paved but little used so expect only a small amount of vehicular traffic.
The first cape awaits for riders as you peel off into the desert on a dirt down to Gunsight Point. The route parallels the eastern edge of Kanab Creek and provides a viewpoint straight down the Kanab Creek Wilderness. After retracing, you jump back on pavement to enter the Kaibab National Forest. You will come to a crucial intersection and optional side-ride up to Jacob Lake. Although this is an 18 mile round-trip, 1500 ft. gain ride, Jacob Lake provides the only resupply between Fredonia and Demotte, a distance of 226 miles between these two points. A ride to up Warm Springs Road to Jacob Lake reduces that resupply distance to only 164 miles and has the bonus of lodging, camping, a general store, and restaurants. Grab some famous cookies and food at Jacob Lake Inn before descending down Warm Springs Canyon down to FS22.
Ride through thickening pines and aspen before swinging a west on a descent out to juniper-pinyons plateaus along a sliver of road winding between the Kanab Creek Wilderness with the plunge of Jumpup Canyon to your left. After hitting Jumpup Point, retrace your route back to a turn past Jumpup Cabin (USFS rental by reservation only). There is a water source down a 300 foot descent to Jumpup Spring - just make sure to park your bike on top at the trailhead. Trace the edge of the Kanab Creek Wilderness before climbing up Pine Hollow to FR 422. If you forgo the turn at the top and head a little off-route north, you'll shortly arrive at the most reliable water source on the Kaibab Plateau: Big Springs. Big Springs is a gushing high-quality water source that careens down the side of a cliff near a USFS cabin and service site. When the cabins are open for rental, plan to get reservations ahead of time and stay for a day to enjoy the showers, water, and common rec center. Or, just fill up from a water spigot found outside the fence of the USFS site before continuing on.
Back on route, head south on FS 422 and then plunge down Big Sowats Canyon. The namesake canyon eventually turns you out to Sowats Point along Kwagnut Hollow for a view of the sprawling esplanade shelf. Several Wildlife Tanks can be found in the area for a water fill-up. Retrace your route and then head south out to Thunder River Trailhead at Indian Hollow with views of Deer Creek Canyon opening up in front of you. Retrace, head south, and reach Monument Point and Crazy Jug Point - an epic place to disperse camp along the rim of the Grand Canyon with southerly views of the Tapeats Amphitheater.
Swing into the Kaibab National Forest before winding back out to the the only mountain bike singletrack route along the rim-proper of the Grand Canyon: Rainbow Rim. Jump onto its northern terminus at Parissawampitts Point and start a repeated meander inland along side-canyons that turn and veer back out to points, capes, and stunning views of the heart of Grand Canyon National Park. After the southern terminus at Timp Point, head inland from the rim edge into the interior of the Kaibab Plateau. Climb elevation above Quaking Aspen Canyon and take FS 206 northward along several sprawling subalpine meadows before a turn north again at Dry Park.
Out of the meadows and into the forest, the climb takes you to the highest elevations on the route at 9200 feet. Ponderosas quickly fall away to spruce, aspen, and firs as you ride high on ridges overlooking the subalpine meadows of Demotte Park. Take a side road down to your first food resupply in nearly 200 miles at DeMotte Campground, Kaibab Lodge, and North Rim Country Store. The campground is set back in the aspen and has running water. Kaibab Lodge has cabins, rooms, and meals in their restaurant. North Rim Country Store has the camping food essentials and a coffee/food truck. Now resupplied, ride along the massive meadows that fill with mule deer and bison. Climb up a ridge and start a subalpine ride through unbelievable groves of aspen that turn ember and yellow come autumn.
You'll head downhill and out towards Fire Point and your first entrance into Grand Canyon National Park. Make sure to secure a backcountry permit if you want to camp here with an overlook of Saddle Canyon. Retrace your route east, head south, and enter the full boundary of GCNP. All dispersed camping beyond this point is prohibited so make sure you have an idea of when you'll hit campgrounds and secure reservations beforehand. Next up is Swamp Point where the North Bass Trailhead is located along with views of Muav Canyon. Retrace and head south to Kanabowits Springs and Kanabowits Lookout Tower; the old fire tower is on the list of registered historical places and worth the small uphill. The spring might take some effort to find for a water resupply.
Heading south, the route curves along the Walla Valley and Kanabowits Canyon before a turnoff for Point Sublime. Head towards this cape as the landscape descends gently to ponderosas before being spit out onto a peninsula land jutting into the heart of the Grand Canyon. Seek a backcountry permit from GCNP and spend a night camping under incredible dark skies along the edge of the canyon at Point Sublime. Retrace your route and begin a rutted, rocky, rotten, eroded and hike-a-bike section eastwards towards the Widforss Trailhead. You'll cross The Basin midway where subalpine meadows spread their latitude while ringed by spruce and aspen. Keep an eye open for bison and give them plenty of space if they are on the road. Join the AZT at Widforss TH and take it to the North Kaibab Trailhead where a reliable water faucet is turned on by the NPS from May 15 - October 15. From here, a short ride on the North Rim Greenway brings you into the North Rim Campground and North Rim Village.
The North Rim Campground has hiker/biker sites that you can camp in for $6 a night with water spigots. The North Rim General Store located in the campground has a full resupply available. When you ride down to the North Rim Lodge in the village, there are a few restaurants, more water spigots, and lodging. After a lookout from Bright Angel Point and full views of the South Rim, retrace your way up the North Rim Greenway to North Kaibab TH where you will keep to the road and turn east on Cape Royale. The paved road up to Cape Royale has no shoulder, has many blind curves, and can be heavy with traffic at times as a forewarning. If you ride up this way, you'll first hit Point Imperial - the highest viewpoint in Grand Canyon National Park at 8803 feet. Retrace the route and head out to Cape Royale to get a view Angels Arch and a hike on top of it. Retrace the route and head back towards Widforss TH.
Jump on the AZT at Widforss TH and ride singletrack through young aspen stands all the way to the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. Stay on the AZT, cross over into the Kaibab National Forest, and take a side ride up to the historic North Rim Lookout Tower were Edward Abbey spent some time as a ranger. The AZT will intersect with the smooth and beautiful dirt road of FS 610. Staying on here carries you out to Nakoweap Trailhead and a view from the cape of Saddle Mountain Wilderness plunging into the Grand Canyon. Retrace the route and swing a side-turn north to towards Marble Viewpoint and some of the best dispersed camping on the route if you camp out on the edge. Views of the East Rim, Saddle Mountain, Grand Canyon, Little Colorado River Gorge, Grand Staircase Escalante, Navajo Mountain, and the approaching Vermillion Cliffs will all spread before you.
Retrace the route and jump back on the AZT which churns and weaves through high subalpine meadows and deep spruce thickets up, down, and across the Kaibab Plateau. Arrive at the East Rim Viewpoint and opposing views of Marble Viewpoint. Ride on FS 611 towards DeMotte where a side-trip provides an opportunity for one last resupply before descending off the Kaibab Plateau. Heading north, you'll ride on ridges and dirt roads coursing through the high elevation of the area before approaching a massive drop-off to House Rock Valley on a forest service road that can be eroded, rocky, and decayed. Now out of the subalpine and into the desert, you'll ride out to remote Buck Farm Viewpoint and a stellar viewpoint into Marble Canyon. Retrace and cross House Rock Wildlife Area. Ride northwards towards Highway 89A and the ever-growing profile of the deeply sanguine and multicolored rock face of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
Join Highway 89A and ride pavement east one last time along the perimeter of the Vermillion Cliffs. Curving along the southern tip of the cliffs, you'll hit Cliff Dwellers Lodge with its motel and restaurant. Ride on and miles later you'll hit Vermillion Cliffs (lodge area) with its tavern, gas station, and motel. As you cycle on you'll finally come to Marble Canyon with its gas station, convenience store, motel, and post office. Here, you can walk on Navajo Bridge and stand over the Colorado River snaking its way through Marble Canyon below you. On the other side of the bridge is the Navajo Nation. Look under the bridge and along the surrounding rock faces for the largest bird in North America (and one of the most endangered), the California Condor. Reintroduction efforts in the area have been successful and the large carrion-eaters roost and frequent the shear rock faces of Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs. Head north and begin a descent back to your vehicle and the low point of the route at Lees Ferry. Enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as you snake through sandstone and desert varnish down to the foot of the Colorado River. Walk out and touch the Colorado River once more; watch the rafters put in for their river expeditions. You have risen from river to rim and back to river again.
Once on 89A, head right and continue around the cliff faces until you hit House Rock Valley Road. Take a right and get on dirt. As the valley closes up, you'll arrive at a Condor Viewing Site managed by The Peregrine Fund. Stop and look through the binoculars at the whitewash along the cliffs where endangered California Condors are released each September and where many come to permanently roost. Continue to steadily climb until the Paria Plateau evens out with you to your east. Intricate, colorful, and gorgeous rock formations will begin to pour out of the sand in large swirling teepee and butte chunks such as Coyote Buttes and The Wave (both require permits to view). At Stateline Campground you can grab a campsite, see the northern terminus of the Arizona Trail, and then cross into Utah. Continue on as the wall of vibrant orange, reds, ochres, and purples to your right become the southern boundaries of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and its famous Cockscomb.
At Buckskin Gulch Trailhead, you'll swing left and climb up an old dirt road into the Buckskin Mountains before turning south and reentering Arizona. Continue south cycling on top of the mountains/plateaus until you reach Winter Road and swing west. The desertscape here can be quite exposed so make sure you fill up at all Wildlife Tanks you come across. The juniper, sage, and grasslands will begin to slop you down towards Highway 89A where you join it shortly to arrive at Fredonia, AZ. Fredonia offers some convenience store resupplies, water, and lodging. Swing south on FS 22 just outside town to begin a long climb back up towards the Kaibab Plateau that cuts across BLM land. Make sure to turn around frequently to catch awesome panoramas of the Grand Staircase along with the mountain formations of Bryce Canyon and Zion in the northern distance. The road here is paved but little used so expect only a small amount of vehicular traffic.
The first cape awaits for riders as you peel off into the desert on a dirt down to Gunsight Point. The route parallels the eastern edge of Kanab Creek and provides a viewpoint straight down the Kanab Creek Wilderness. After retracing, you jump back on pavement to enter the Kaibab National Forest. You will come to a crucial intersection and optional side-ride up to Jacob Lake. Although this is an 18 mile round-trip, 1500 ft. gain ride, Jacob Lake provides the only resupply between Fredonia and Demotte, a distance of 226 miles between these two points. A ride to up Warm Springs Road to Jacob Lake reduces that resupply distance to only 164 miles and has the bonus of lodging, camping, a general store, and restaurants. Grab some famous cookies and food at Jacob Lake Inn before descending down Warm Springs Canyon down to FS22.
Ride through thickening pines and aspen before swinging a west on a descent out to juniper-pinyons plateaus along a sliver of road winding between the Kanab Creek Wilderness with the plunge of Jumpup Canyon to your left. After hitting Jumpup Point, retrace your route back to a turn past Jumpup Cabin (USFS rental by reservation only). There is a water source down a 300 foot descent to Jumpup Spring - just make sure to park your bike on top at the trailhead. Trace the edge of the Kanab Creek Wilderness before climbing up Pine Hollow to FR 422. If you forgo the turn at the top and head a little off-route north, you'll shortly arrive at the most reliable water source on the Kaibab Plateau: Big Springs. Big Springs is a gushing high-quality water source that careens down the side of a cliff near a USFS cabin and service site. When the cabins are open for rental, plan to get reservations ahead of time and stay for a day to enjoy the showers, water, and common rec center. Or, just fill up from a water spigot found outside the fence of the USFS site before continuing on.
Back on route, head south on FS 422 and then plunge down Big Sowats Canyon. The namesake canyon eventually turns you out to Sowats Point along Kwagnut Hollow for a view of the sprawling esplanade shelf. Several Wildlife Tanks can be found in the area for a water fill-up. Retrace your route and then head south out to Thunder River Trailhead at Indian Hollow with views of Deer Creek Canyon opening up in front of you. Retrace, head south, and reach Monument Point and Crazy Jug Point - an epic place to disperse camp along the rim of the Grand Canyon with southerly views of the Tapeats Amphitheater.
Swing into the Kaibab National Forest before winding back out to the the only mountain bike singletrack route along the rim-proper of the Grand Canyon: Rainbow Rim. Jump onto its northern terminus at Parissawampitts Point and start a repeated meander inland along side-canyons that turn and veer back out to points, capes, and stunning views of the heart of Grand Canyon National Park. After the southern terminus at Timp Point, head inland from the rim edge into the interior of the Kaibab Plateau. Climb elevation above Quaking Aspen Canyon and take FS 206 northward along several sprawling subalpine meadows before a turn north again at Dry Park.
Out of the meadows and into the forest, the climb takes you to the highest elevations on the route at 9200 feet. Ponderosas quickly fall away to spruce, aspen, and firs as you ride high on ridges overlooking the subalpine meadows of Demotte Park. Take a side road down to your first food resupply in nearly 200 miles at DeMotte Campground, Kaibab Lodge, and North Rim Country Store. The campground is set back in the aspen and has running water. Kaibab Lodge has cabins, rooms, and meals in their restaurant. North Rim Country Store has the camping food essentials and a coffee/food truck. Now resupplied, ride along the massive meadows that fill with mule deer and bison. Climb up a ridge and start a subalpine ride through unbelievable groves of aspen that turn ember and yellow come autumn.
You'll head downhill and out towards Fire Point and your first entrance into Grand Canyon National Park. Make sure to secure a backcountry permit if you want to camp here with an overlook of Saddle Canyon. Retrace your route east, head south, and enter the full boundary of GCNP. All dispersed camping beyond this point is prohibited so make sure you have an idea of when you'll hit campgrounds and secure reservations beforehand. Next up is Swamp Point where the North Bass Trailhead is located along with views of Muav Canyon. Retrace and head south to Kanabowits Springs and Kanabowits Lookout Tower; the old fire tower is on the list of registered historical places and worth the small uphill. The spring might take some effort to find for a water resupply.
Heading south, the route curves along the Walla Valley and Kanabowits Canyon before a turnoff for Point Sublime. Head towards this cape as the landscape descends gently to ponderosas before being spit out onto a peninsula land jutting into the heart of the Grand Canyon. Seek a backcountry permit from GCNP and spend a night camping under incredible dark skies along the edge of the canyon at Point Sublime. Retrace your route and begin a rutted, rocky, rotten, eroded and hike-a-bike section eastwards towards the Widforss Trailhead. You'll cross The Basin midway where subalpine meadows spread their latitude while ringed by spruce and aspen. Keep an eye open for bison and give them plenty of space if they are on the road. Join the AZT at Widforss TH and take it to the North Kaibab Trailhead where a reliable water faucet is turned on by the NPS from May 15 - October 15. From here, a short ride on the North Rim Greenway brings you into the North Rim Campground and North Rim Village.
The North Rim Campground has hiker/biker sites that you can camp in for $6 a night with water spigots. The North Rim General Store located in the campground has a full resupply available. When you ride down to the North Rim Lodge in the village, there are a few restaurants, more water spigots, and lodging. After a lookout from Bright Angel Point and full views of the South Rim, retrace your way up the North Rim Greenway to North Kaibab TH where you will keep to the road and turn east on Cape Royale. The paved road up to Cape Royale has no shoulder, has many blind curves, and can be heavy with traffic at times as a forewarning. If you ride up this way, you'll first hit Point Imperial - the highest viewpoint in Grand Canyon National Park at 8803 feet. Retrace the route and head out to Cape Royale to get a view Angels Arch and a hike on top of it. Retrace the route and head back towards Widforss TH.
Jump on the AZT at Widforss TH and ride singletrack through young aspen stands all the way to the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park. Stay on the AZT, cross over into the Kaibab National Forest, and take a side ride up to the historic North Rim Lookout Tower were Edward Abbey spent some time as a ranger. The AZT will intersect with the smooth and beautiful dirt road of FS 610. Staying on here carries you out to Nakoweap Trailhead and a view from the cape of Saddle Mountain Wilderness plunging into the Grand Canyon. Retrace the route and swing a side-turn north to towards Marble Viewpoint and some of the best dispersed camping on the route if you camp out on the edge. Views of the East Rim, Saddle Mountain, Grand Canyon, Little Colorado River Gorge, Grand Staircase Escalante, Navajo Mountain, and the approaching Vermillion Cliffs will all spread before you.
Retrace the route and jump back on the AZT which churns and weaves through high subalpine meadows and deep spruce thickets up, down, and across the Kaibab Plateau. Arrive at the East Rim Viewpoint and opposing views of Marble Viewpoint. Ride on FS 611 towards DeMotte where a side-trip provides an opportunity for one last resupply before descending off the Kaibab Plateau. Heading north, you'll ride on ridges and dirt roads coursing through the high elevation of the area before approaching a massive drop-off to House Rock Valley on a forest service road that can be eroded, rocky, and decayed. Now out of the subalpine and into the desert, you'll ride out to remote Buck Farm Viewpoint and a stellar viewpoint into Marble Canyon. Retrace and cross House Rock Wildlife Area. Ride northwards towards Highway 89A and the ever-growing profile of the deeply sanguine and multicolored rock face of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
Join Highway 89A and ride pavement east one last time along the perimeter of the Vermillion Cliffs. Curving along the southern tip of the cliffs, you'll hit Cliff Dwellers Lodge with its motel and restaurant. Ride on and miles later you'll hit Vermillion Cliffs (lodge area) with its tavern, gas station, and motel. As you cycle on you'll finally come to Marble Canyon with its gas station, convenience store, motel, and post office. Here, you can walk on Navajo Bridge and stand over the Colorado River snaking its way through Marble Canyon below you. On the other side of the bridge is the Navajo Nation. Look under the bridge and along the surrounding rock faces for the largest bird in North America (and one of the most endangered), the California Condor. Reintroduction efforts in the area have been successful and the large carrion-eaters roost and frequent the shear rock faces of Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs. Head north and begin a descent back to your vehicle and the low point of the route at Lees Ferry. Enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as you snake through sandstone and desert varnish down to the foot of the Colorado River. Walk out and touch the Colorado River once more; watch the rafters put in for their river expeditions. You have risen from river to rim and back to river again.
Route Conditions and Direction to Ride
The route can be ridden in either direction but was intended to be ridden counterclockwise. The benefits of this direction include an opportunity to acclimatize to elevation by riding up from the desert to the subalpine, the thrill of beginning and ending at the Colorado River, avoiding having to ride/push up a gnarly forest service road from House Rock Valley (you can descend it instead), and resupplying at Jacob Lake at important point in the route. Plus, there is the bonus of a cooler looking approach of the Vermillion Cliffs and an anticipatory build as riders begin with Kanab Creek Wilderness side-canyon views before working their way to the full sweep of Grand Canyon heart.
The Kaibab National Forest (North Rim District) offers a trove of well-maintained forest service roads that this route mostly sticks to. There can be sections of washboard, ruts, and chunky gravel, but most forest roads on this route are solid. Some of the capes/points that the North Rim Circuit utilizes are very remote and are often littered with blowdowns come early summer. There are some rougher, rockier, and babyhead portions that include rides along the Rainbow Rim, the section between Point Sublime and Widforss TH, the descent off the Kaibab Plateau, and some sandy areas around Buckskin Mountain. Be prepared for hike-a-bikes, weathered/eroded terrain features, and slow going in these locations. There are three main sections of pavement: (a) around the south face of the Vermillion Cliffs/Lee's Ferry, (b) leaving Fredonia south back up to the Kaibab Plateau, and (c) the ride out to Cape Royale and Point Imperial in Grand Canyon National Park. (a) has little shoulder and some traffic, so keep alert while (b) has very little traffic. Both have good line-of-sights for cyclists and drivers. (c) is windy, twisty, and has poor lines-of-sight on the curves. Plus, it is a heavily driven portion in GCNP. Be aware here, ride defensively, and wear bright colors if you choose to ride this section. As a heads up, GCNP does not recommend bicyclists on this stretch of road (but it is legal to ride and definitely is ridden).
Tires and Bike Choice: I suggest at least 2.2 inch tires if only for the truly primitive/rocky roads. The sandy portions of Buckskin might provide more challenge for skinnier tires. For reference, I ride a drop-bar rigid mountain bike and nearly only bikepack with plus tires for the comfort. Use the descriptions of the route conditions above to help you determine what would make your ride something you would enjoy.
The Kaibab National Forest (North Rim District) offers a trove of well-maintained forest service roads that this route mostly sticks to. There can be sections of washboard, ruts, and chunky gravel, but most forest roads on this route are solid. Some of the capes/points that the North Rim Circuit utilizes are very remote and are often littered with blowdowns come early summer. There are some rougher, rockier, and babyhead portions that include rides along the Rainbow Rim, the section between Point Sublime and Widforss TH, the descent off the Kaibab Plateau, and some sandy areas around Buckskin Mountain. Be prepared for hike-a-bikes, weathered/eroded terrain features, and slow going in these locations. There are three main sections of pavement: (a) around the south face of the Vermillion Cliffs/Lee's Ferry, (b) leaving Fredonia south back up to the Kaibab Plateau, and (c) the ride out to Cape Royale and Point Imperial in Grand Canyon National Park. (a) has little shoulder and some traffic, so keep alert while (b) has very little traffic. Both have good line-of-sights for cyclists and drivers. (c) is windy, twisty, and has poor lines-of-sight on the curves. Plus, it is a heavily driven portion in GCNP. Be aware here, ride defensively, and wear bright colors if you choose to ride this section. As a heads up, GCNP does not recommend bicyclists on this stretch of road (but it is legal to ride and definitely is ridden).
Tires and Bike Choice: I suggest at least 2.2 inch tires if only for the truly primitive/rocky roads. The sandy portions of Buckskin might provide more challenge for skinnier tires. For reference, I ride a drop-bar rigid mountain bike and nearly only bikepack with plus tires for the comfort. Use the descriptions of the route conditions above to help you determine what would make your ride something you would enjoy.
Temperature, Climate, and When to Ride
When to Ride |
Time of Year |
Average Highs |
Average Lows |
Precipitation |
Snow |
Best Time |
Early Summer (Late May - June) |
High Elevation (North Rim): 63 - 74 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 77 - 89 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 35 - 42 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 40 - 47 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 0.40 - 0.62" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.08 - 0.24" |
High Elevation (North Rim): 0.0 - 2.0" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.0 - 0.04" |
Best Time |
Fall (September - Mid October) |
High Elevation (North Rim): 56 - 67 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 71 - 84 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 32 - 41 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 35 - 47 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 1.82" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.28 - 0.31" |
High Elevation (North Rim): 0.0 - 4.0" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.0" |
Less Recommended |
Summer (July - August) |
High Elevation (North Rim): 74 - 77 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 91 - 94 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 47 - 49 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 55 - 56 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 1.92 - 2.81" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.24 - 0.28" F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 0.0" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.0" |
Not Recommended |
Winter and Spring (Late October - Early May) |
High Elevation (North Rim): 38 - 52 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 46 - 71 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 17 - 28 F Low Elevation (Fredonia): 19 - 32 F |
High Elevation (North Rim): 1.65 - 3.82" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.28 - 0.94" |
High Elevation (North Rim): 12 - 30" Low Elevation (Fredonia): 0.0 - 4.11" |
Time of Year |
Description of Conditions |
Early Summer (Mid May - Early June) |
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Fall (Mid September - Mid October) |
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Summer (July - August) |
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Winter and Spring (Late October - Early May) |
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***Visit these links to view further climate information:
- Grand Canyon National Park - Weather and Climate
- US Climate Data - North Rim, AZ
- US Climate Data - Fredonia, AZ
North Rim vs. South Rim Circuits
The Grand Canyon bisects the portion of the Colorado Plateau found in Northern Arizona into two distinct halves. The South and North Rims offer riders different views, perspectives, elevations, temperatures, climate, vegetation, and remoteness. Thus, the Capes of the Canyon Bikepacking Route (CCBR) exists as two circuits.
North Rim Circuit |
South Rim Circuit |
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The North Rim Circuit of the CCBR is the less accessible and more remote ride. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a nearly 4 hour drive from Flagstaff, AZ and receives only a fraction of the visitors that the popular South Rim receives. The route minimally travels on pavement and often travels down rarely driven or ridden roads into lesser-seen parts of the Kaibab Plateau. Riders should be prepared to be self-sufficient on this route as hitching a ride may be unlikely if a problem arises, depending on where they are. Water resupplies are fewer with longer distances between sources. Food resupplies are even fewer. Bikepackers should expect to carry several days worth of food and at least 24 hours worth of water for several stretches. The landscape makes dramatic swings between high elevation subalpine and lower elevation exposed desert - make sure to acclimatize. The North Rim's winter weather is more extreme, making the riding season much narrower than the South Rim Circuit. The landscape juxtaposes thick aspen groves and spruce with raw rocklands seeded with sparse grass and sage. This route is longer with far more elevation gain.
Suggested Time to Bike: 9 - 14 days Overall Difficulty Rating: 7.5
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Across the Grand Canyon, the South Rim Circuit of the CCBR is the more accessible of the two. Only located a 1.5 hour drive from Flagstaff, Arizona, it takes in the Coconino Plateau and the more developed Grand Canyon Village area. Riders entering Grand Canyon National Park will find longer paved stretches along the rim proper as well as more vehicles and people. This isn't to say the route is industrialized - for more than 80% of the route takes in dirt forest roads and little traveled areas that the majority of visitors to the South Rim simply don't visit. The route provides more opportunities for resupplies and water. The landscape is lower in elevation allowing the route to be ridden for a greater portion of the year. The landscape can be generalized as arid-uplands and desert, with dominant vegetation being the juniper and the pinyon pine. This route is shorter and there is less overall elevation gain.
Suggested Time to Bike: 4 - 7 days Overall Difficulty Rating: 5
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Ecoregions and Landscape
The Grand Canyon is located on the Colorado Plateau. The vast changes in elevation, roiling geology, and local microclimates lead to a rich offering of ecoregions. Landscapes in the region span from low desert and riparian strips along the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon to subalpine mixed conifer forests and meadows at the highest points along the Kaibab Plateau of the North Rim. The North and South Rims vary considerably in elevation, precipitation, and temperature, providing cyclists very different experiences between the two circuits.
North Rim
The North Rim Route travels along an even greater gradient of elevation, stretching from a low point of 4700 feet in the desert portion near Fredonia to a high point of 9200 feet along the upper portions of the Kaibab Plateau. Starting at Jacob Lake, riders will find themselves in Montane Conifer Forests made mostly of towering ponderosa pines along with Gambel oak. Heading west and descending in elevation, riders enter the Northern Woodlands and Sagebrush ecoregion made of dominating stands of juniper-pinyon. As with the South Rim, sage occurs in large swaths as the Great Basin Desert makes its influence known. The landscape finally transitions to Arizona Strip Plateau as cyclists approach Jumpup. Moisture lessens as junipers, sagebrush, and various shrubs comes to swell in number.
Heading towards the heart of the Kaibab Plateau will bring significant elevation gain along with a rotating stage of species as sagebrush gives way to Montane Conifer and finally peaks out at 9200 feet with two distinct and beautiful ecoregions: Montane and Subalpine Grasslands followed by Arizona Subalpine Forests. The Subalpine Grasslands present themselves as manifold blankets of rich grasslands cupped by massive aspen, spruce, fir, and conifer stands. The heart of Highway 67 snakes its way through these expansive meadows which fill with meltwater ponds and ephemeral streams in the spring and early summer. The Subalpine Forests contain blue and Engelmann spruce, white and Douglas fir, and finally some of the densest and voluminous groves of aspen I've seen anywhere. Riding the route in fall will reveal massive smears of yellow and orange coating the landscape in the dying fires of aspen leaf release.
Unlike the South Rim which crests at a high point along its rim edges, the North Rim actually loses elevation from the heart of the Kaibab Plateau to its canyon lip bringing riders back into the Montane Conifer Forests. Heading north and dropping easterly off the Kaibab Plateau, cyclists descend through Northern Woodlands and Sagebrush ecoregions followed by Marble Platform. The Marble Platform extends across the grass and desert scrub of House Rock Valley. Arrival at the Vermillion Cliffs and riding House Rock Valley road heralds the unique Semiarid Benchlands and Canyonlands ecoregion. High and low elevation sharply meet in this geological spread. Sand becomes common (and deep on the Paria Plateau!) and the landscape grows grasses, Mormon tea, juniper, and pinyon pine. Riders join the Arizona Strip Plateau ecoregion again before transitioning to the Cold Desert Sagebrush-Grasslands around Fredonia. The arid land flattens and fills with shrubs and namesake sage. Continuing back to Jacob Lake from this low point is a return of elevation, precipitation, and the Montane Conifer Forests.
Inner Canyon
For riders looking to stash their bikes on top and hike over the rims into the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon, a unique ecoregion awaits. The inner canyon is composed of limestone, granite, shale, sandstone, and metamorphic rock. Starting from the rim edge and descending, pinyon, juniper, and firs will straggle and then fade as sage, Mormon tea, and rabbitbrush cling to the exposed rock. In many ways, descending to the Colorado River is descending ecologically from Canada to Mexico. Temperatures at the bottom differ from the top by nearly 20 degrees F. The Colorado River flows at elevation 2000 ft. and is frequently lined with rich riparian corridors. Hikers can expect to see cottonwoods, willows, mesquite, and tamarisk along the waterfront and especially lining side tributaries. In warmer months, these plants stand out as incredible neon green oases promising shade among the cooking red and ochre rock.
Know your physical limits. It is a 5000-6000 foot vertical climb from the river to the rim. During summer, temperatures at the bottom of the Canyon can be nearly 120 degrees F. DO NOT attempt to do a rim to river hike when temperatures are elevated for your safety and the safety of first responders. Cool temperatures on the rim don't make cool temperatures in the canyon.
North Rim
The North Rim Route travels along an even greater gradient of elevation, stretching from a low point of 4700 feet in the desert portion near Fredonia to a high point of 9200 feet along the upper portions of the Kaibab Plateau. Starting at Jacob Lake, riders will find themselves in Montane Conifer Forests made mostly of towering ponderosa pines along with Gambel oak. Heading west and descending in elevation, riders enter the Northern Woodlands and Sagebrush ecoregion made of dominating stands of juniper-pinyon. As with the South Rim, sage occurs in large swaths as the Great Basin Desert makes its influence known. The landscape finally transitions to Arizona Strip Plateau as cyclists approach Jumpup. Moisture lessens as junipers, sagebrush, and various shrubs comes to swell in number.
Heading towards the heart of the Kaibab Plateau will bring significant elevation gain along with a rotating stage of species as sagebrush gives way to Montane Conifer and finally peaks out at 9200 feet with two distinct and beautiful ecoregions: Montane and Subalpine Grasslands followed by Arizona Subalpine Forests. The Subalpine Grasslands present themselves as manifold blankets of rich grasslands cupped by massive aspen, spruce, fir, and conifer stands. The heart of Highway 67 snakes its way through these expansive meadows which fill with meltwater ponds and ephemeral streams in the spring and early summer. The Subalpine Forests contain blue and Engelmann spruce, white and Douglas fir, and finally some of the densest and voluminous groves of aspen I've seen anywhere. Riding the route in fall will reveal massive smears of yellow and orange coating the landscape in the dying fires of aspen leaf release.
Unlike the South Rim which crests at a high point along its rim edges, the North Rim actually loses elevation from the heart of the Kaibab Plateau to its canyon lip bringing riders back into the Montane Conifer Forests. Heading north and dropping easterly off the Kaibab Plateau, cyclists descend through Northern Woodlands and Sagebrush ecoregions followed by Marble Platform. The Marble Platform extends across the grass and desert scrub of House Rock Valley. Arrival at the Vermillion Cliffs and riding House Rock Valley road heralds the unique Semiarid Benchlands and Canyonlands ecoregion. High and low elevation sharply meet in this geological spread. Sand becomes common (and deep on the Paria Plateau!) and the landscape grows grasses, Mormon tea, juniper, and pinyon pine. Riders join the Arizona Strip Plateau ecoregion again before transitioning to the Cold Desert Sagebrush-Grasslands around Fredonia. The arid land flattens and fills with shrubs and namesake sage. Continuing back to Jacob Lake from this low point is a return of elevation, precipitation, and the Montane Conifer Forests.
Inner Canyon
For riders looking to stash their bikes on top and hike over the rims into the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon, a unique ecoregion awaits. The inner canyon is composed of limestone, granite, shale, sandstone, and metamorphic rock. Starting from the rim edge and descending, pinyon, juniper, and firs will straggle and then fade as sage, Mormon tea, and rabbitbrush cling to the exposed rock. In many ways, descending to the Colorado River is descending ecologically from Canada to Mexico. Temperatures at the bottom differ from the top by nearly 20 degrees F. The Colorado River flows at elevation 2000 ft. and is frequently lined with rich riparian corridors. Hikers can expect to see cottonwoods, willows, mesquite, and tamarisk along the waterfront and especially lining side tributaries. In warmer months, these plants stand out as incredible neon green oases promising shade among the cooking red and ochre rock.
Know your physical limits. It is a 5000-6000 foot vertical climb from the river to the rim. During summer, temperatures at the bottom of the Canyon can be nearly 120 degrees F. DO NOT attempt to do a rim to river hike when temperatures are elevated for your safety and the safety of first responders. Cool temperatures on the rim don't make cool temperatures in the canyon.
Where Bikes Are Allowed and Not Allowed
North Rim Circuit Specific Bike Access
General Access
Bikes are STRICTLY forbidden below the rim in the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE DOWN INTO THE CANYON - you will get fined, it is illegal, and you will hurt the perception and opportunities of other bikepackers on this route. There are certain trails on top that are also off-limits to bikes; this route expressly avoids them. No cross-country travel in Grand Canyon National Park; practicing Leave No Trace means staying on established trails, roads, and paths.
Finally, respect tribal land and do not ride without permission in either the lands of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians just outside of Fredonia or the Navajo Nation just across the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. This route stays explicitly within land domains where riding is public and legal. Although it may approach boundaries with the surrounding tribal nations, you should never ride onto the reservations without securing tribal government permission. Doing so otherwise is disrespectful and unlawful. I must note that although this route stays on "public lands," the formation of Grand Canyon National Park involved the forced removal of tribes such as the Havasupai, and they have endured legal battles to keep their vastly smaller chunk of land out of their historical precedent. Know the land you are riding on is traditionally theirs, know their current reservation boundaries are smaller than where they historically inhabited, and know where you are riding to keep yourself both legal and respectful.
Beyond that, almost all paved and unpaved roads on top of the rim are free and fair for riding a bike on. The Arizona Trail passages up on the rim of the Grand Canyon also allow bikes to be ridden. There are TONS of dirt roads, double track, and more that this route doesn't even begin to touch, all available for bike travel.
- When traveling out to Jumpup and Sowats Point, make sure to stay on established roads/the route and not to stray into the Kanab Creek Wilderness which will come right up to the road in places. Bikes are not allowed in Wilderness Areas.
- No riding singletrack or trails above the rim in Grand Canyon National Park except for the Arizona Trail. You are allowed to cycle on any established dirt roads.
General Access
Bikes are STRICTLY forbidden below the rim in the inner gorge of the Grand Canyon. DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE DOWN INTO THE CANYON - you will get fined, it is illegal, and you will hurt the perception and opportunities of other bikepackers on this route. There are certain trails on top that are also off-limits to bikes; this route expressly avoids them. No cross-country travel in Grand Canyon National Park; practicing Leave No Trace means staying on established trails, roads, and paths.
Finally, respect tribal land and do not ride without permission in either the lands of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians just outside of Fredonia or the Navajo Nation just across the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. This route stays explicitly within land domains where riding is public and legal. Although it may approach boundaries with the surrounding tribal nations, you should never ride onto the reservations without securing tribal government permission. Doing so otherwise is disrespectful and unlawful. I must note that although this route stays on "public lands," the formation of Grand Canyon National Park involved the forced removal of tribes such as the Havasupai, and they have endured legal battles to keep their vastly smaller chunk of land out of their historical precedent. Know the land you are riding on is traditionally theirs, know their current reservation boundaries are smaller than where they historically inhabited, and know where you are riding to keep yourself both legal and respectful.
Beyond that, almost all paved and unpaved roads on top of the rim are free and fair for riding a bike on. The Arizona Trail passages up on the rim of the Grand Canyon also allow bikes to be ridden. There are TONS of dirt roads, double track, and more that this route doesn't even begin to touch, all available for bike travel.
Native Nations and This Land
The land around and including the Grand Canyon is the current and traditional home to eleven federally recognized tribes (as well as other non-federally recognized tribes) including the:
Native people are absolutely still here in the area, and have been here for thousands of years. To many, the Canyon is a Living Landscape. When you as a rider are bikepacking through this area, make sure to treat the Living Landscape as as you would a literal home, recreate with respect, and act with care.
The founding of the National Park involved the forced removal of indigenous groups, especially the Havasupai. The Havasupai's traditional land included not only the namesake canyon they still live in today, but many of the Grand Canyon's riparian gardens and campgrounds, including Ha'a Gyoh (Havasupai Gardens) and Mather Campground. The Park spent many years shuffling Havasupai families around, taking advantage of labor, restricting their land use, and forcing them outside the new federal boundaries.
Grand Canyon National Park has spent the last few years moving in the direction of rebuilding relations with associated tribes of the area. Recently, the Park has worked to turn Desert View into the Desert View Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site. The work to move towards rebuilding relations is going to take work by the Park. Words of intention show a desire to move the needle; more authentic action will need to be done. Further information on the tribes of the Grand Canyon area and the history of Native/park relations can be found below:
- Havasupai Tribe
- Hopi Tribe
- Hualapai Tribe
- Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
- Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians
- Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
- Navajo Nation
- Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah
- San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe
- The Pueblo of Zuni
- Yavapai-Apache Nation
Native people are absolutely still here in the area, and have been here for thousands of years. To many, the Canyon is a Living Landscape. When you as a rider are bikepacking through this area, make sure to treat the Living Landscape as as you would a literal home, recreate with respect, and act with care.
The founding of the National Park involved the forced removal of indigenous groups, especially the Havasupai. The Havasupai's traditional land included not only the namesake canyon they still live in today, but many of the Grand Canyon's riparian gardens and campgrounds, including Ha'a Gyoh (Havasupai Gardens) and Mather Campground. The Park spent many years shuffling Havasupai families around, taking advantage of labor, restricting their land use, and forcing them outside the new federal boundaries.
Grand Canyon National Park has spent the last few years moving in the direction of rebuilding relations with associated tribes of the area. Recently, the Park has worked to turn Desert View into the Desert View Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site. The work to move towards rebuilding relations is going to take work by the Park. Words of intention show a desire to move the needle; more authentic action will need to be done. Further information on the tribes of the Grand Canyon area and the history of Native/park relations can be found below:
Leave No Trace and Bikepacking Ethics for the Colorado Plateau
Bikepackers, like all backcountry users, leave an impact on the land, vegetation, and wildlife of the places they travel through. Leave No Trace outlines specific actions that bikepackers can take to minimize their impact on the land. Below are some considerations I would urge bikepackers on the CCBR to take that are specific to this area.
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- Ride on Dry and Compact Roads/Trails: The soil of the Colorado Plateau has a high clay and silt content with some serious caliche. Rain and snowmelt will turn the ground to peanut butter mud, or even horrendous death mud. It will clog up your tires and derailleurs. Even worse, it tears up the roads and trails as you leave long ruts and holes in the ground behind you. If there is rain in the forecast, don't ride the route. Wait for it to dry. This could take hours, days, or weeks depending on the time of year.
- Avoid or Simply Don't Use Campfires: Climate change has been exasperating the aridity of the Southwest. Soils are drier, snowpack is lessening, air humidity is decreasing, and trees are dying from drought-associated stress. In foresummer (May/June) and windy days, conditions can be ripe for increasingly destructive wildfires. Northern Arizona has been stripped of many an acre by headline-grabbing infernos. Enough negative consequences of human-caused wildfires from campfires has led me to almost entirely abandon the practice in the backcountry. I cook stoveless, I pack layers for the cold, and I bring food to build my metabolic heat when I know the temperature will drop. I urge other bikepackers to consider doing the same on this route. If you do want to cook with heat, avoid alcohol/cat stoves and use fuel-controlled stoves like Jetboils and Whisperlites.
- Look but Don't Disturb or Photo-Geotag Cultural and Archeological Items: There are parts of this route that may pass by unmarked sensitive cultural/historical/archeological sites or items. If you see or stumble on something, look at it, enjoy it, and learn more about the item when back in the frontcountry. Leave it exactly where it is and do not collect it. DO NOT post locations, geotag photos, or post the items on social media. This is at the request of both the Native Tribes of the area, Grand Canyon National Park, and Kaibab National Forest.
- Camp at Least 0.25 Miles from Water Sources: Plan to camp 0.25 miles or further from all water sources on this route, especially the Arizona Game and Fish Department wildlife tanks. More information on water sources can be found below.
Leave No Trace is much bigger than just these four - I wanted to mention these four specifically for the CCBR because of their local importance. Both Bikepacking Roots and Bikepacking.com have excellent resources on Leave No Trace for backcountry cyclists. These include:
- Plan Ahead + Prepare
- Travel + Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Bikepacking Roots has the Love Where Your Ride Campaign where they partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to make bikepacking specific principles. Visit the site to see a breakdown of each principle listed above.
Backpacking.com has the Leave No Trace for Bikepackers: Ride. Camp. Respect principles where they outline many of the same items listed above but also include Know the Land and Represent the Community (both excellent inclusions). Visit their website to read more.
Water Sources
Water is scarce along this route. The Kaibab National Forest is considered the driest national forest in the United States. Although the North Rim is higher than the South Rim and consequently receives an average of 25.8 inches of moisture a year, most quickly percolates through the porous rock of Kaibab Limestone that makes up the upper layers of this area. Within the canyon, water exits through numerous springs, but up on top, it's a relatively dry area. Springs may require you to stash your bike on the rim to hike down and retrieve water. The tablelands and canyonlands around the Vermillion Cliffs, House Rock Valley, and Buckskin mountain are true desertscapes with little reliable surface runoff or pools. Plan to carry several liters of water.
Reliable water can be found at Jacob Lake, Big Springs, Demotte, the North Rim Village area in GCNP, the Vermillion Cliffs area near Lee's Ferry, and Fredonia. Beyond that, water is mostly found in dirt cattle tanks, metal cattle tanks, and Arizona Game and Fish Water Catchments. The AZGFD Water Catchments help provide water to wildlife in the ever-drying environment of the southwest under climate change. There is no camping within 0.25 miles of AZGFD Wildlife Tanks (or other water sources). This route requires riders to dry camp. Be prepared to load up at water sources so that you can camp far away from them.
Consider making a donation to help the AZGFD keep these wildlife tanks stocked at AZWildlifeHero.com. You can also donate to Wildlife Water Works which is a nonprofit whose mission is to, "Replenish, Refurbish & Create Arizona Game Water Catchments." Donations to Wildlife Water Works can be made here. I suggest a minimum donation of $25 because it's hard work by volunteers to keep these water sources maintained and filled.
***Water sources on the Colorado Plateau, as with the rest of the Southwest, are often ephemeral or unreliable. To help give riders a sense of water availability, I've rated sources using the scale below.
Water Reliability Scale:
1 = unreliable; 2 = seasonal;
3 = mostly reliable; 4 = definite source
Consider making a donation to help the AZGFD keep these wildlife tanks stocked at AZWildlifeHero.com. You can also donate to Wildlife Water Works which is a nonprofit whose mission is to, "Replenish, Refurbish & Create Arizona Game Water Catchments." Donations to Wildlife Water Works can be made here. I suggest a minimum donation of $25 because it's hard work by volunteers to keep these water sources maintained and filled.
***Water sources on the Colorado Plateau, as with the rest of the Southwest, are often ephemeral or unreliable. To help give riders a sense of water availability, I've rated sources using the scale below.
Water Reliability Scale:
1 = unreliable; 2 = seasonal;
3 = mostly reliable; 4 = definite source
Camping
There is no dispersed camping within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. However, there is an established camping site at the North Rim Campground. The North Rim Campground near the village has a fantastic hiker/biker site for walk-ups arriving by foot or bicycle. The hiker/biker site is shared with other cyclists and backpackers and costs $6 per night per person. The North Rim Campground is conveniently located next to the the North Rim General Store and is only a short ride away from the lodging, restaurants, and Post Office (M-F, May 15 - October 15, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm) in the village. Lee's Ferry Campground is located within GCNP and also requires camping in the established campground. This campground is first come, first served.
If you want to stay at the primitive campsites along the rim within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park at Fire Point, Swamp Point, or Point Sublime, you will need to reserve backcountry permits through the GCNP Backcountry Information Center. There are limited sites at each location.
Outside of GCNP in the the Kaibab National Forest, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and House Rock Valley, excellent and numerous dispersed camping abounds. The North Rim is truly one of the most remarkable places to disperse camp right up against the edge of the Canyon at so many locations for those making the remote trek out. Just make sure to pay attention to boundary lines between Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest.
If you want to stay at the primitive campsites along the rim within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park at Fire Point, Swamp Point, or Point Sublime, you will need to reserve backcountry permits through the GCNP Backcountry Information Center. There are limited sites at each location.
Outside of GCNP in the the Kaibab National Forest, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and House Rock Valley, excellent and numerous dispersed camping abounds. The North Rim is truly one of the most remarkable places to disperse camp right up against the edge of the Canyon at so many locations for those making the remote trek out. Just make sure to pay attention to boundary lines between Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest.
Food and Resupplying
The beginning of the route alone requires riders to go nearly 180+ miles without a food resupply. The remote nature of this route means riders need to carefully plan how much food to carry and to expect several days between resupplies.
- Mile 2.3 - Jacob Lake, AZ: Jacob Lake Inn + Restaurant
- Mile 165.7 - Demotte: North Rim Country Store with coffee stand, Kaibab Lodge with its restaurant
- Mile 239 - North Rim Village: North Rim General Store, North Rim Lodge, Deli in the Pines
- Mile 334.7 - Demotte: North Rim Country Store with coffee stand, Kaibab Lodge with its restaurant
- Mile 417.3 - Marble Canyon: Chevron Gas Station, Marble Canyon Lodge + Lee's Ferry Lodge and Cliff Dweller's Lodge were a few miles prior. Hit all these locations again on the retrace around Mile 429.3.
- Mile 522.8 - Fredonia, AZ: Chevron Gas Station, Family Dollar
- Mile 585.4 - Jacob Lake, AZ: Jacob Lake Inn + Restaurant
Fees and Permits
- Grand Canyon National Park requires a fee for entry. No cash, credit/debit only. ($35 for a vehicle; $20 for a bicycle).
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area requires a fee to get to Lees Ferry. It is an automated fee machine . No cash, credit/debit only. ($30.00 for a vehicle; $15 for a bicycle).
- Kaibab National Forest and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument have no fees.
- A Recreational Land Use Permit is required for any travel or camping on Arizona State Lands. Apply for and pay for one before you head out on the route. Carry it with you.
Where to Park Your Vehicle
Park your vehicle in the paved long-term parking at Lees Ferry. There is signage at the area, and there is a POI for it on the RWGPS map. Make sure to leave your Park Pass/Permit visible on your dashboard. Parking is for 30 days max.
Additional Important Information
- Hunting Season: Starts in September and goes through December. The Kaibab National Forest on the North Rim is considered one of the best mule deer hunting areas in the United States. Hunting season is a big deal here and the forest will be filled with hunters looking for deer and bison. Expect to see more trucks, backcountry campers, ATVs, and individuals on foot. WEAR ORANGE and make yourself visible as you ride. Be smart and be seen during hunting season. Wildlife Tanks may have more hunters scoping them and checking them out as a heads up.
- Dark Skies: Grand Canyon National Park is an International Dark Sky Park. This means that you can expect to have anywhere between Bortle Class 1 - 3 night skies overhead (even better night viewing during a new moon). The Bortle Class Scale is used to rate night skies on their clarity and lack of light pollution. A Bortle Class 1 is the darkest possible and there are several locations along these routes where, should you camp, you will have this level of darkness. Here, night skies will be virtually unimpeded by artificial light. You can use the following sites to explore more:
- Fences: There may be "cowboy fences" on this route which consist of barbed wire wrapped around vertical wooden branches that are strung across roads. They can be opened by removing a loop of wire on one side. Most importantly, leave fences as you found them; re-close them if they were closed.
Other Rides in the Area
There are several other routes located in the area for those interested in checking them out:
Route Alerts and Rider Feedback
Route Alerts
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Rider Feedback
Use the Comment box below to give a trip report, list any concerns, or provide an update on the route. Make sure to give:
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