Photo: Alison M. Moore

Every state in the Union hosts some amazing event that draws both tourists and locals alike. Utah has many such events, ranging from music to film to Shakespeare to food festivals, but one that stands out is the yearly Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah. While this event is less festival and more spectator sport, the competition has evolved into the center of all things free ride mountain bike.

Ridge line start with helicopter looking on. Photo: Alison M. Moore

Over the ten years that Red Bull has hosted this downhill mountain bike challenge just outside Zion National Park, the sport has evolved tremendously. In fact, this event itself has been the catalyst for bigger hucks, more technical steeps, and more unthinkable air tricks. However, with bigger also comes the bad: injuries of the athletes far exceed those in previous years.

Masses gather to witness. Photo: Alison M. Moore

It is both the thrills and the spills that draw the crowds year after year. Conveniently occurring each year on a Utah specific four day school weekend, families, college students, and obsessed bike fanatics alike all descend on the area, filling hotel rooms in St. George, pay camping in the famous Zion National Park, and even debaucherous BLM free camping near the venue.

Sight of the Watchman from South Campground just inside Zion. Photo: Alison M. Moore

Everyone who appreciates athleticism and biking should consider spending a full four days to rampage through southern Utah. Tickets are not available at the gate, however. About two months in advance, Red Bull begins to sell tickets in small batches off their website in an almost secretive fashion. It is not widely advertised and each batch sells out quickly. Stay alert and you can certainly obtain tickets. When you get to the venue, you will understand why so few tickets (aka wrist bands) are given out.

The weekend of the event, camping and hotel rooms sell out. Plan on improvised camping if you don’t have a reservation, and also plan that most other people also are improvised camping, too. Some serious downhillers camp at the old Rampage venue to ride the old course after the event, which is about a 15 minute ride on bikes away. Be prepared for shenanigans here, both legal and otherwise.

We opted to stay in Zion at the South campground. Patience is key here- you cannot reserve spots, so “trolling” until a place is vacated is necessary in busy camping seasons. The drive to the venue from here is about 20 minutes. The obvious plus side is that you can now experience the national park when not in Virgin.

Rainbow within Zion National Park. Photo: Alison M. Moore

Planning also pays off. Very little is offered at the actual site or in Virgin itself. Camelbak provides cool water if you bring the container. A local food store offers limited foods, but sadly no free Red Bull drinks. Since you cannot drive the 3-4 miles of slurpy sandy dirt road, plan to carry your necessities by foot or by bike. We chose to ride our cross-country bikes with full backpacks. Two days of events (qualifiers and finals) go much faster with all the appropriate needs, like small chairs, sunscreen, hats, food, and secret beers that you don’t let security see.

But when it is all done, then what? Some may keep riding in the area such as the old course, but cross-country riders may also enjoy the hour or so drive to Gooseberry Mesa for the challenge of slick rock. Or maybe you need a break from biking and want to hike inside Zion, such as Observation Peak, the view from which is shown below.

View from Observation Peak. Photo: Alison M. Moore

Another option is to drive up to Bryce Canyon and try one of a plethora of biking (or hiking) trails that wrap around hoodoos and top out over red vistas. One fun trail not even in the park is the Thunder Mountain Trail, which if done as a loop incorporates a nicely paved bike path to meandering single-track that at one point strolls along the spine of a mountain.

Happy camper despite the rain, halfway through riding Thunder Mountain. Photo: Alison M. Moore

What ever you choose, take advantage of all the amazing things around the Rampage, really taking the time to explore such a unique area, and getting to know Utah for more of its gems.