Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a recreational rider, the best way to experience a new place is on a bike. That’s because pedaling is much more immersive than driving—you see, hear, and even smell things that you may miss otherwise.
Plus, the fact that you’re on two wheels allows you to cover more ground than walking. Another benefit: You get to work up a sweat while exploring the magic of a new-to-you location. Pretty sweet, right?
In the spirit of biking meets vacation, companies across the U.S. offer guided destination cycling tours of varying length, locations, price points, and difficulty. From afternoon-long urban tours to overnight trips to National Parks, wine country, and idyllic farmlands, the following cycling tours—all hosted by highly-reviewed and reputable companies—can help fulfill your two-wheeled wanderlust.
The only question: Which one are you going to book first?
New Mexico Bike Tour
Hosted by: Trek Travel
For a slice of Southwestern culture and an immersion into the natural beauty of New Mexico, consider this guided group tour out of art hub Santa Fe. You’ll cycle under wide-open skies past sweeping mountain vistas and learn about local history en route: Day two includes a stop at Santuario de Chimayó, a designated National Historic Landmark, and day three entails a visit to Galisteo, an abode village occupied since prehistoric times and the current residence of many local artists.
Designed for advanced riders who are comfortable pedaling three to four hours at a time at a solid pace, this high-altitude trip encompasses 189 miles of biking with more than 14,000 feet of elevation gain. For those craving a break from all that saddle time, non-riding activities include spa treatments, a hot air balloon ride, a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and more.
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Cost: from $3,399
Boothbay to Bar Harbor Bike Tour
Hosted by: Summer Feet Cycling
This week-long, small group tour (max size: 12 riders) offers cyclists a breathtaking tour of Maine’s diverse coastline with cozy stays at local inns along the way.
The journey ranges in distance between about 300 to more than 400 miles (they offer multiple distances most days), beginning at coastal village Boothbay Harbor and then traveling north along the shores of Penobscot Bay, a popular cruising bay, and Blue Hill Bay, before finishing with two full days of riding in Acadia National Park.
Along the way, you’ll hit top tourist spots, like Camden, a quintessential New England town dubbed “the Jewel of the Maine Coast,” while also touring several not-as-famous, equally beautiful seafront towns, like Port Clyde and Castine, says Norman Patry, owner of Summer Feet Cycling.
You’ll fuel your rides with a variety of Maine delicacies, including lobster, smoked salmon, fresh blueberries, and the local favorite whoopie pies.
Location: Portland to Acadia National Park, Maine
Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Cost: from $3,995
The Carolinas Bike Tour
Hosted by: Backroads
Traverse the Carolinas, climb the Blue Ridge Mountains, and experience Southern Appalachian culture with Backroads, an over 40-year-old company known for its upscale, active trips.
Highlights of this five-day itinerary include riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway (a 469-mile roadway famed for its sweeping views and thrilling elevations), navigating retired pro cyclist George Hincapie’s Gran Fondo route, staying at Hincapie’s Hotel Domestique, and visiting Asheville’s 8,000-acre Biltmore estate.
When you’re not pedaling, you’ll likely be eating classic Carolina fare, like farm-to-table meals and sipping craft beer, listening to live bluegrass, viewing local art, and simply soaking in the beauty of Carolina countryside. The distance and difficulty of the cycling is scalable to your fitness level, ranging from 80 to 211 total miles and 4,600 feet to 16,800 feet in elevation gain.
Location: Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Cost: from $3,599
Las Vegas Mountain Bike Tour
Hosted by: Escape Adventures
If mountain biking is your preferred mode of two-wheeled travel, consider this half-day or full-day guided tour through Red Rock National Conservation Area, a national reserve home to 100 miles of singletrack located just 17 miles from the glittering Las Vegas Strip.
You’ll cover between seven to 12 miles on a dirt trail with the option of a Specialized full-suspension mountain bike or a Specialized Levo mountain e-bike, making the tour accessible for a wide range of levels from beginner to expert.
Customers rave about their experiences with Escape Adventures, praising the high-quality, well-maintained bikes and personable guides. The company, in operation since 1992, boasts a five-star rating from over 700 reviews on TripAdvisor.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Duration: Half-day (4 hours) or full-day (7 hours)
Cost: from $150
Glacier National Park Bike Tour
Hosted by: Trek Travel
Soak in the splendor of this million-plus acre National Park with a guided tour by Trek Travel, a Wisconsin-based company praised for its thoughtfully planned trips, high-end bikes, and knowledgeable guides.
Over the six-day trip, you’ll pedal 163 miles and climb more than 9,000 feet of mountainous terrain, including a stint on iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, a nearly 50-mile road that brings together the east and west sides of the park and intersects the Continental Divide, per the National Park Service.
As you cycle, you’ll see glacial lakes, snowy mountains, cedar forests, alpine tundra, and more. The itinerary also features time off the saddle, including a rafting trip along the Flathead River (keep your eyes peeled for bears, moose, and other wildlife), plus a trip to the local farmer’s market in the resort town Whitefish.
Location: Glacier National Park, Montana
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Cost: from $4,599
Denver City Tour
Hosted by: Mile High Bike Tours
Explore Colorado’s capital city in this approximately 9-mile tour that combines history, architecture, public art, and more. Operated by Mile High Bike Tours, which currently holds a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, the route charts through downtown Denver and along the Cherry Creek and Platte River Trails, highlighting landmarks like the historic Daniels and Fisher Clock Tower, Mile High Stadium, Coors Field, the Pepsi Center, and more.
All tours are led by born-and-raised Coloradans, who provide a local’s perspective on great things to do both in the Mile High City and around the Centennial State, according to the company. These folks will also adjust the experience to local happenings, per the company. If there’s a festival on the route, for example, the group will take a pit stop to listen to the music or, if it starts raining, everyone will duck inside for a beer. (E-bikes available for an additional charge!)
Location: Denver, Colorado
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: $65
Kentucky Bike Tour
Hosted by: Backroads
Pedal rolling farmland hills, sample craft bourbon, and explore the history of the Bluegrass State in this guided group tour through Kentucky. Joey Coe, a trip expert at Backroads who grew up in Louisville and helped design this tour, says the trip is about giving participants “a real sense of connection to Kentucky” and “access to places that you could really only get if you were with someone that grew up there.”
With that ethos, the trip takes riders on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a region encompassing large-scale distilleries where you’ll cycle past idyllic pastures, sprawling country estates, and farms that raise Thoroughbred stallions.
Off the bike, you’ll jam out to bluegrass music, do a behind-the-scenes distillery tour, and sample Southern cuisine while staying in plush accommodations, including a medieval-style castle hotel with its own farm-to-table restaurant.
Participants rave about the experience, describing it as “the trip of a lifetime” and “very far off the usual tourist trail.” Several mileage options, ranging from 16 to 55 miles a day, make the experience accessible for varying abilities.
Location: Louisville to Lexington, Kentucky
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Cost: from $3,499
Mt. Rushmore & Badlands Bike Tour
Hosted by: Bicycle Adventures
Visit two National Parks, two National Monuments, and a whole bunch of other historic sites on this week-long group tour from the Badlands to the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Highlights include a stint in Badlands National Park, a 244,000-acre expanse home to bison, big-horn sheep, and black-footed ferrets; a visit to Mammoth Hot Springs Site, an archeological dig that boasts the largest collection of mammoth remains on the planet; a stop at Wind Cave National Park, one of the oldest National Parks; a climb up to breathtaking Mt. Rushmore National Monument; and a ride to Devils Tower National Monument, a ginormous geologic feature you may recognize from the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Daily mileage ranges from 30 to 60, with day four scheduled as an “off-the-bike” day in which you have the option to hike up to Black Elk Peak, the tallest point east of the Rockies.
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Cost: from $3,940
Florida Keys Bike Tour
Hosted by: Great Bike Tours
Get a dose of mid-winter vitamin D with this January trip to south Florida, where temperatures average in the mid-70s. Marketed as “very easy” in terms of riding intensity, this group tour, led by raved-about travel company Great Bike Tours involves pedaling 15 to 30 miles a day on flat terrain with generous tailwinds and e-bikes available. That leisurely pace sets the tone for a week of laid-back vacationing as you explore the Everglades, the Florida Keys, and Key West.
Highlights include a ride through Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to endangered species including the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther; a private kayak tour through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park; visits to a rehab hospital for injured sea turtles as well as the Dolphin Research Center; and a sailing cruise complete with bottomless cocktails.
Location: Miami, Florida
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Cost: From $3,895
The Heart of New Hampshire
Hosted by: Ciclismo Classico
Led by Ciclismo Classico founder and New Hampshire native Lauren Hefferon, this group tour provides an intimate look at the southern region of the state dubbed “Switzerland of America.” You’ll pedal past winding rivers, under covered bridges, and through historic hamlets, averaging 29 to 45 miles a day on rolling, hilly terrain.
The adventures continue off the bike, with a hike up Mount Monadnock, a 3,165-foot National Natural Landmark; tours to local wineries and art galleries; and a variety of culinary highlights. Think: Honey and liqueur tastings at a beekeeping business, a visit to L.A. Burdick’s chocolate factory, and daily samplings at gelato shops and farm stands.
Location: Keene, New Hampshire
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Cost: from $2,395
Washington D.C. Wilderness Ride
Hosted by: DC Cycling Concierge
You probably don’t envision nature when picturing our nation’s capital, but this half-day tour explores a surprisingly serene side of Washington D.C. Pedal through the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, an oasis within Anacostia National Park populated by beavers, turtles, and dragonflies. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, as birds of prey are sometimes spotted on the tour.
Other highlights include views of the National Arboretum; a stop at the newly constructed Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge; and a visit to Bladensburg Waterfront where the Battle of Bladensburg occurred in 1814, famous for being the only battle in U.S history where the sitting president (James Madison) was present, according to guide and local historian Jeff Miller. All in, you’ll ride about 22 to 30 miles at a “decent pace” with several breaks along the way.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Cost: from $155
California Wine Country Bike Tour
Hosted by: Sojourn Bicycling Vacations
Wine lovers, this trip is for you. You’ll pedal through Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, famed for its Zinfandels; Russian River Valley, known for New World Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines; and Alexander Valley, where 15,000 acres of vineyards support 42 wineries, many of whom produce Cabernets, according to Sonoma County Tourism. Along the way, you’ll stop for winery and vineyard tours plus samplings of all the delicious vinos.
Additional highlights include picnicking under towering Redwoods, pedaling past the Pacific Ocean and eucalyptus groves, and staying at a cozy inn that boasts a hot tub or jacuzzi in every room. Daily mileage options range from 11 to 54 miles, with limited e-bikes available.
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Cost: from $3,975
Death Valley Weekend Cycling
Hosted by: REI Adventures
Explore the otherworldly wonders of Death Valley National Park—think: volcanic craters, multi-colored sandstone, salt flats, and towering sand dunes—with this three-day cycling tour that’s great for everyone from beginners (who can e-bike) to experienced riders.
No matter your speed, enjoy the solitude of Death Valley as you pedal the quiet, smooth paved roads where traffic is minimal. Expect epic sunrises and sunsets, and if you plan your visit in the spring, you’ll likely see a large super-bloom of wildflowers spread across the valley.
Another highlight, no matter when you go, is the day three stopover at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America (elevation: 282 feet below sea level).
One more plus: Compared to other tour groups, this one minimizes the amount of time spent in the van. All in, you’ll pedal 113 miles with just six hours of driving. Riders eager for more can add extra distance on days two and three to reach a total of 186 miles.
Location: Death Valley National Park, California
Duration: 3 days/2 nights
Cost: from $2,199
U.S. and Aspen Snowmass Tour
Hosted by: Pure Adventures
Designed for serious road riders comfortable pedaling at altitude (e-bikes are not an option here), this guided tour takes you on routes that pro cyclists tackle in series including the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and the Colorado Classic. Highlights include climbing 2,625 feet to the top of Vail Pass (elevation: 10,666 feet), pedaling in Glenwood Canyon alongside the Colorado River, riding along the Roaring Fork River to the small picturesque town of Carbondale, and climbing to the Maroon Bells, dubbed the “most photographed mountains in North America.”
All that exertion will likely work up an appetite, which is good since the itinerary includes a three-course dinner in Glenwood Springs (a resort town brimming with natural hot springs), a sunset BBQ cookout, and an evening meal at the historic Redstone Inn, where the menu features hearty pastas, steaks, and classic American desserts (apple crisp, anyone?).
Location: Vail to Snowmass Village, Colorado
Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Cost: $4,200
Bikes, Bites & Brews Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour
Hosted by: Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago
This casual-paced, 13-mile guided tour combines two of our favorite things: cycling and eating. You’ll sample fare from the Windy City’s “four favorite food groups:” pizza, hot dogs, brownies, and beer, according to the tour company’s website.
The daytime tour takes you through northside neighborhoods, passing Lincoln Park, the Old Town Historic District, and Wrigleyville (home to Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs play), and more. And the evening route charts through downtown, encompassing highlights like the Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park (a hub of public art), and Buckingham Fountain, plus others.
Both tours include deep-dish pizza from locals’ favorite Lou Malnati’s plus lots of other bites, as well as history lessons on Chicago’s classic food dishes and local neighborhoods.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: from $80
Jenny is a Boulder, Colorado-based health and fitness journalist. She’s been freelancing for Runner’s World since 2015 and especially loves to write human interest profiles, in-depth service pieces and stories that explore the intersection of exercise and mental health. Her work has also been published by SELF, Men’s Journal, and Condé Nast Traveler, among other outlets. When she’s not running or writing, Jenny enjoys coaching youth swimming, rereading Harry Potter, and buying too many houseplants.
