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(Kevin Trageser/Redux)

Bike-Pack the White Rim Trail

A 92-mile ride above the Colorado and Green Rivers in Can­yonlands National Park

Published: 
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(Photo: Kevin Trageser/Redux)

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What it is: A three- or four-day, 92-mile ride above the Colorado and Green Rivers in Can­yonlands National Park.

National Parks Centennial

100 reasons to love the parks (and a few things we’d improve)

Why it’s worth it: Most people explore Canyonlands on foot. Riders on the White Rim Trail cover a bigger swath of the park—and although we don’t like to admit it, sticking to a nontechnical trail means appreciating what you’re riding through. In this case, the park’s famous geographical features: its arches, mesas, and thousand-foot cliffs.

How to prep: There are several ways to tackle the White Rim Trail. The most popular is to ride with 4×4 support, stopping each night at designated campsites. Other riders aim for two days and pull gear- and food-laden trailers. It’s also possible to ride the White Rim in a day without support. How fast you want to move will dictate your training, but all riders should be comfortable being on the bike for between six and eight hours a day. Make sure to reserve campsites well in advance. If you don’t plan to camp, you’ll still need a day-use permit.

 

From Outside Magazine, May 2016 Lead Photo: Kevin Trageser/Redux

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