Spring Bicycling Starts Today In Yellowstone National Park

Spring bicycling is underway in Yellowstone National Park.

Starting today, bicyclists can travel 49 miles of road between West Yellowstone/the West Entrance up to Mammoth Hot Springs.

Indeed, bicyclists will have that stretch of road to themselves. With the exception of the road between the North and Northeast Entrances, the rest of Yellowstone’s roads are closed for plowing. Further, they won’t be open to vehicle traffic until April 15.

That means, unfortunately, you cannot bike down to Old Faithful, or over to Canyon Village.

Spring Bicycling Tips/Guidelines

If you’re planning on bicycling around Yellowstone, you should keep a few things in mind.

First and foremost, plan ahead. A bicycling trip around Yellowstone is not one to be taken lightly; it’s not the same as rolling down to the city park or through town.

Secondly, you should stay on the road, as the rest of the Park is still shaking off winter to a large degree. Bicyclists are expected to yield to snowplows or other authorized motorized vehicle travel by Yellowstone employees and construction workers.

Thirdly, dress appropriately, as the air is still a little nippy. Indeed, nightly lows around this time of year are routinely below freezing! You should also keep a close eye on the weather report during the day; you wouldn’t want to be halfway between West Yellowstone and Mammoth, only to get slammed by a freezing rainstorm.

Keep a sharp eye out for wildlife also, especially bison and elk. And bear in mind (pardon the pun) that bears have already started emerging from their dens, so consider packing a can of bear spray. For the most part, however, if you encounter wildlife on the road, you should just turn around.

Bicyclists should also keep in mind that cellphone coverage is spotty in Park, which would make it harder to report accidents, breakdowns, or other emergencies.

Click here for information on road conditions in Yellowstone. You can also call 307-244-2109 weekdays (between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.) or 307-344-2113 for information on road conditions.