Ride from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, through some of the most scenic and remote stretches of pavement in the west. You will pass through many historical sites as you roll through the Unaweep Canyon, Gateway, and Paradox, winding your way along the Dolores River. Explore canyons of the Southwest, view wildlife, and experience the hut-to-hut convenience on this 2 night 3 day tour. You’ll ride approximately 165 miles (~55 miles per day) along some of the wildest paved roads in the west.
The Route
Route Overview by Day
Day 1 Grand Junction to Gateway Hut
Start the day pedaling out of the Grand Junction hustle and bustle and head towards the Unaweep Canyon. Or opt for bonus pedaling and start with a tour of the spectacular Colorado Monument.
Day 2 Gateway to Paradox Hut
Continue back onto HWY 141 and take in the breathtaking views! Don’t forget to stop for a water break at the natural spring and soak up some shade. Ride by the historic Hanging Flume that was used to transport water for gold miners in the late 1800s. Enjoy some fun gravel riding! Stop for a quick regroup in front of the iconic Bedrock Store that was featured in Thelma and Louise before finishing the last push to the Paradox Hut.
Day 3 Paradox Hut to Moab!
Climb up, up, and up out of Paradox and head for the La Sal Mountains! Stop for a quick photo opt at the Colorado/Utah state line. Pass the small town of Old La Sal. Start on some exciting gravel and head for Moab!
May and October each year
This gravel grinder route offers a great three day alternative to our longer routes.
Our mountain huts hold eight people per night. The wooden huts are equipped with padded bunks, sleeping bags, a propane cook stove, propane light, wood stove, and necessary utensils, cookware, food and drinking water. Food supplies are replenished regularly, and each hut is equipped with a composting toilet facility.
2 Night/ 3 Day Tour of the Canyons Gravel Grinder
$400 per pers
Group Discount: 8/7 Eight for the price of seven $2,800 or $350 per person
A bike, clothes, bike & first aid kits, anything else for a long day ride. Our huts have everything else. See the Biker’s Bible for a more detailed list.
Call us at (970) 626-3033 or send us an email.
“Had a great Gravel Grinder -Tour of the Canyons with our group of six in October; everyone really enjoyed the experience and was really happy with how SJ Huts treated us … Looking forward to doing another bike/hut trip next year.”
~ Gerrit W.
What’s Included
Our staff is available for in-depth trip planning and can offer individualized insight after getting to know you and your group.
Located on private property and within National Forests and BLM administered lands, our huts are used exclusively for our clients and are stocked with everything you’ll need for rest, hydration, cooking, and emergency bike repair. Equipped with 8 padded bunks, sleeping bags, propane cook stove & lighting, wood stove at high elevation huts, composting toilet, repair tools, cookware.
We supply all the food, drinking water, and beverages. Coolers at every hut keep fresh food fresh and beverages ready for you. Cabinets are loaded with snacks and meal ingredients for you to create your all-important refueling feasts. See our Hut Cuisine.
Our detailed maps, turn-by-turn directions, and GPS tracks help you stay on route. Alternative routes, including singletrack options, are all included to let you choose your own adventure while on the route.
Biking Trip FAQ
You will need a mountain bike in good working order, a small backpack or bike bag, and personal clothing. The Bikers’ Bible is the best resource for clothing, bike repair & equipment, and tool/gear lists. A hardtail is a good option if you plan to only ride the standard route made up of dirt and jeep roads. If you want to ride the singletrack, most riders prefer ‘cross country’ or ‘trail’ full suspension bike.
We recommend you bring your own bike. If you choose to rent a bike, we list some bike rental shops on our Travel Resources page that are familiar with our routes. If you decide to rent a bike, consider whether you’ll need to ship or shuttle the bike back to the rental shop. Moab has limited shipping options on the weekend. Some bike shops are willing to ship your bike for you if it is packaged, labeled, and billing arrangements have been made.
Our cozy huts are equipped with bunk beds and pads, sleeping bags, propane-powered lights and cook stoves, cookware, food and water. There is no plumbing or bathing facilities, though streams and ponds are found along the route for washing. Composting toilets are located adjacent to each hut. The food supply is regularly replenished so you’ll never need to worry about running out of food. Drinking water is stored in 5-gallon containers.
There is no guaranteed cellular service along the routes and service varies by device and service provider. Gateway Hut on the Telluride to Moab Route is located near the Gateway Canyon Resort and telephone service is available there. On the Durango to Moab Route at the Paradox Hut, located near the Paradox Bed & Breakfast, you may find telephone service at the Paradox Mercantile or the Paradox B&B. The huts do not have electricity so no charging of cell phones, laptops, or GPS units. Two-way satellite devices from companies like Spot and Delorme are a good emergency communication option.
No vehicular assistance is provided or allowed along either of our routes due to the nature of our USFS/BLM/Private Ranch Special Use Permits. San Juan Hut Systems is not responsible for difficulties due to weather or natural conditions, equipment failures or medical emergencies and any associated rescues. This being said, San Juan Hut Systems will do our best to help with any emergency situation and non-emergency situations.