Looking to immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Bryce Canyon National Park in a unique and active way? Forget the hassle of transporting your own bike – the Historic Service Station now offers a convenient Bicycle Rental Service right inside the park! Explore scenic trails and viewpoints at your own pace, enjoying the fresh air and unparalleled views that Bryce Canyon has to offer.
Explore Bryce Canyon by Bike: An Unforgettable Experience
Cycling through Bryce Canyon offers a distinct advantage, allowing you to delve deeper into the park’s beauty and connect with nature on a more personal level. Feel the wind in your hair as you pedal along paved paths, stopping whenever inspiration strikes to capture the perfect photo or simply soak in the panoramic vistas. Renting a bike is an ideal option for families, solo adventurers, and anyone wanting a healthy and eco-friendly way to experience the canyon.
Bicycle Rental Options and Rates
The bicycle rental service at the Historic Service Station caters to various needs and preferences. Whether you’re seeking an effortless ride or a more traditional cycling experience, they have you covered. Rentals include a helmet and lock for your safety and convenience.
Choose from a range of bikes including:
- E-bikes: Effortlessly conquer hills and cover more ground with electric-assist bicycles. Perfect for those wanting a less strenuous ride or to maximize their exploration time.
- Mountain Bikes: Robust and reliable, mountain bikes are suitable for paved paths and offer a comfortable ride for all skill levels.
- Smaller Sized Bikes: Ensuring even the youngest adventurers can join in the fun, smaller bikes are available for children and smaller adults.
Bicycle Rental Rates:
E-bike Rentals:
- 2-hour rental: $60
- 4-hour rental: $80
- Full-day rental: $100
Standard Bike Rentals:
- 2-hour rental: $25
- 4-hour rental: $35
- Full-day rental: $45
The Historic Service Station: A Landmark Location
Your bicycle rental service is located at the Historic Service Station, a building steeped in Bryce Canyon’s history. Constructed between 1947 and 1948, this charming structure represents a significant shift in tourism within the park. As automobile travel gained popularity after World War II, the Utah Parks Company (UPC) recognized the changing needs of visitors. The Service Station was built to provide essential services like fuel and repairs to accommodate the increasing number of cars entering the park.
Designed with a “roadside architecture” style, the Service Station reflects a uniquely American approach to service buildings. Its curved west elevation, built with locally sourced stone, exemplifies the simpler, contemporary design principles favored by the National Park Service at the time, moving away from the more elaborate rustic styles of previous decades. Although the Service Station ceased operations in 1988, it now stands as a testament to the park’s evolving history and is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it serves a new purpose, offering visitors the opportunity to begin their Bryce Canyon adventure on two wheels with the convenient bicycle rental service.
A Glimpse into the Utah Parks Company
The Utah Parks Company (UPC), a subsidiary of Union Pacific Railroad, played a vital role in the development of tourism in Bryce Canyon and surrounding national parks from the 1920s to 1972. UPC envisioned these parks as a “Grand Circle,” attracting visitors via railway to Lund, Utah, and then transporting them by bus to various park destinations. They invested heavily in infrastructure, including the Bryce Canyon Lodge and the Historic Service Station, to cater to the growing influx of tourists. Initially the sole concessionaire in Bryce Canyon National Park after its establishment in 1928, UPC eventually faced challenges from the rise of private automobile travel and operational costs, leading to the donation of its park assets to the National Park Service in 1972.
Embrace the freedom of two wheels and explore Bryce Canyon National Park with the bicycle rental service at the Historic Service Station. It’s the perfect way to create lasting memories and experience the canyon’s magic up close.
