While many people have heard of Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, far fewer have conquered the scenic drive by two wheels. Every spring, the park begins plowing the road and opens bike-only access to the roadway as the snow is cleared, before it opens to cars.
While seasoned cyclists can conquer the steep climb, e-bikes have become a popular option for less-experienced riders. Another option for biking in the park is the Apgar Bike Path and Camas Road, which provides easier, lower-elevation riding. Rental bikes are available in West Glacier or Coram through Glacier Guides and Sky Eco Rentals. Depending on plowing, April through mid-June are accessible times to put pedal to pavement.
Yellowstone National Park also opens one of the park roads to bike-only travel, which usually lasts two to three weeks in early April. Along the 49-mile stretch of road between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs, enjoy views of snowy, geothermal features as you pedal through the park on a freshly plowed road before it’s open to public vehicle traffic. Riders are able to see bison, bear cubs and blooming wildflowers as they pedal through the greening landscape. The scenery features snowy peaks, steaming geysers and roaring rivers. Bike rentals for Yellowstone National Park are available directly inside the park at Old Faithful Snow Lodge and in surrounding gateway towns like West Yellowstone at Freeheel and Wheel and Gardiner at Big Sky E-Bike Tours and Rentals.
Respecting wildlife in national parks is crucial for safety and conservation, and helps efforts to keep wildlife wild. Visitors must observe from a distance, typically 25 yards for most animals and 100 yards for predators like bears or wolves. Never feed or approach animals, keep food secured and keep pets on leashes.
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