09/08/2026
Mark your calendars !!!
RAP — RIDE AROUND POWELL
Grand Staircase–Escalante & Lake Powell Traverse
February 26–March 2, 2027
Start and Finish: Mount Carmel Junction, Utah
Motorcycle: Medium-sized adventure motorcycles, 480 pounds or less
Riding Level: Intermediate
Daily Mileage: Approximately 100–150 miles
Style: Self-supported adventure ride
THE RIDE
RAP—Ride Around Powell—is a five-day adventure across the remote landscapes of southern Utah.
Starting and ending in Mount Carmel Junction, the route traverses the Grand Staircase–Escalante region to Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell before looping back to the east side of Zion National Park.
This is a true self-supported ride. You will carry all camping gear, clothing, food, tools, and personal equipment on your motorcycle. Expect remote dirt roads, two-track trails, rocky and sandy terrain, high-desert scenery, and long stretches between services.
Riders should be prepared for 100–150-mile days on intermediate terrain. With limited daylight in late February, each day may require riding from sunup to sundown. Prepare for cold temperatures, changing weather, and remote conditions.
Your trucks and trailers will remain secure in Mount Carmel Junction throughout the tour.
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DAY 1 — FEBRUARY 26
Mount Carmel Junction to Escalante
The adventure begins in Mount Carmel Junction, near Coral Pink Sand Dunes and east of Zion National Park.
From there, we enter the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and begin the traverse toward Escalante, Utah. Expect dirt roads, rocky terrain, open high desert, and expansive scenery.
Overnight: Escalante area
Approximate mileage: 100–150 miles
Terrain: Intermediate backcountry roads and two-track
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DAY 2 — FEBRUARY 27
Escalante to Lake Powell
We continue south through the heart of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, riding through some of the tour’s most iconic landscapes.
Highlights include Hell’s Backbone Bridge, sections of the legendary Burr Trail, and the remote country surrounding Lone Rock Beach.
Overnight: Camping
Approximate mileage: 100–150 miles
Terrain: Intermediate dirt roads, rocky sections, and remote backcountry terrain
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DAY 3 — FEBRUARY 28
Lake Powell to Bullfrog Marina
Today showcases the dramatic scenery of Lake Powell. We explore Lone Rock Beach, Warm Creek Bay and # Gunsight Butte.
Massive sandstone formations, deep canyons, open desert, and blue water create an otherworldly landscape. We then continue toward Bullfrog Marina, the southernmost point of the Grand Staircase–Lake Powell traverse.
Overnight: Bullfrog Marina RV Park
Lodging: Camping or available accommodations, depending on final arrangements
Approximate mileage: 100–150 miles
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DAY 4 — MARCH 1
Bullfrog to Boulder
We begin the return journey through some of southern Utah’s most rugged country.
The route includes Notom–Bullfrog Road, the Wolverine Loop, and spectacular views of the Henry Mountains. From there, we continue toward Boulder, Utah, reconnecting with the high desert surrounding the Escalante region.
Overnight: Remote National Forest campground near Boulder
Approximate mileage: 100–150 miles
Terrain: Intermediate dirt and backcountry roads, with rocky and potentially sandy sections
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DAY 5 — MARCH 2
Boulder to Mount Carmel Junction
Our final day completes the loop through the Grand Staircase country and returns us to Mount Carmel Junction.
After five days of remote riding, camping, and spectacular scenery, we finish the RAP loop where the adventure began.
Finish: Hotel in Mount Carmel Junction, Utah
Approximate mileage: 100–150 miles
Your trucks, trailers, and other transportation will be waiting in Mount Carmel Junction.
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WHAT MAKES RAP DIFFERENT?
RAP is not a luxury motorcycle tour. It is a self-supported adventure through remote country.
You will carry your own gear, ride your own motorcycle, camp beneath the Utah sky, and travel through landscapes where services and civilization may be many miles away.
This ride is for motorcyclists who want to experience southern Utah on two wheels, off the beaten path, and deep in the backcountry.
RIDER REQUIREMENTS
* Medium-sized adventure motorcycle weighing 480 pounds or less
* Intermediate off-road riding ability
* Ability to ride 100–150 miles per day
* Motorcycle capable of handling dirt, rocks, sand, and rough backcountry roads
* Complete camping equipment
* Ability to carry all personal equipment on the motorcycle
* Preparation for cold-weather conditions
* Ability to ride from sunup to sundown
* Comfort with remote, self-supported travel
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS
* Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
* Lake Powell
* Lone Rock Beach
* Warm Creek Bay
* Bullstrom Point and Gunsight Butte
* Bullfrog Marina
* Escalante, Utah
* Hell’s Backbone Bridge
* Burr Trail
* Notom–Bullfrog Road
* Wolverine Loop
* Henry Mountains
* Boulder, Utah
* Mount Carmel Junction
RAP — RIDE AROUND POWELL
Five Days. Two Wheels. One Epic Loop.
From the red-rock country near Zion to the shores of Lake Powell and across the moonscape of the Grand Staircase–Escalante, RAP is a motorcycle adventure unlike any other.
Come prepared. Come self-sufficient. Come ride around Powell.
