Experience Yellowstone Country by Bike: A Pedaling Paradise
Mark your calendars and grab your bikes for National Trails Day on June 6th. Cycling through Yellowstone Country offers mountain air, scenic stretches and an extensive trail system for all levels of biking. Add one of these towns to your itinerary and log miles this spring:
Visitors to Red Lodge can rent bikes at the Spoke Wrench to explore popular local trails like the Basin Lakes Trail, the Silver Run Loop and the Face-of-the-Mountain Trail.
While this small town doesn't offer rentals, the Copper City Trail is a popular option if you have your own bike (or rent one in nearby Bozeman). For trails with spectacular views, visit Missouri Headwaters State Park, where paths follow the scenic Missouri, Gallatin and Jefferson rivers. Refer to theTrail Map for detailed information.
For bicycle rentals in West Yellowstone, check out Freeheel and Wheel. Popular mountain biking (and fat biking) access is available at the Rendezvous Ski Trails. If you're looking for more challenging exploration, you can venture onto U.S. Forest Service land to the Coffin Lake, Lionshead and Mile Creek areas. Be aware that mountain biking on roads and trails is typically not possible until June, as they may remain too wet until then.
Grab a rental from Chalet Sports,Owenhouse Cycling or Roundhouse Sports and hit some of the state's best trails. Popular routes include the Mystic Lake loop, Leverich Trail, Bangtail Divide and Hyalite Creek. For more details, check out the Trailforks Map.
For those looking to explore the area's many cycling trails, rentals are available at Grizzly Outfitters and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Bicyclists can enjoy popular routes such as the Grizzly Loop, Beehive Basin Trail and North Fork Loop. Additionally, Big Sky Resort boasts over 40 miles of mountain bike trails.
Experience the unique opportunity of bicycling in Yellowstone National Park before the roads open to public vehicles. Typically starting in April, cyclists can enjoy over 49 miles of freshly plowed road between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs. This early season ride offers stunning scenery, including snowy landscapes, steaming geysers and roaring rivers, as well as opportunities to spot wildlife like bison and bear cubs, and see blooming wildflowers.
Bike rentals are available directly inside the park at Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Cyclists can also find rentals in nearby gateway towns, such as 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, guided by the principle of keeping 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. Leave no trace!