If you are physically fit, athletic, adventuresome, not put off by erratic weather, like shoulder season camping, and are a bicyclist, the shoulder seasons in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks are for you. During certain periods, the parks open the roads to just bicyclists--not motorized vehicles.
This is when you can quietly visit the parks, not motor noise, see wildlife up close (watch for grizzlies, though), see the Spring wildflowers popping up through the snow banks, stop wherever you want (not just at designated scenic viewpoints), and wander as slowly or as adrenaline pumping as you wish.
What you need to know before you go
Glacier National Park
The plowing begins on the Going-to-the-Sun Road the first week in April. Plows start at the bottom and work their way up to the pass, clearing the way for bikes as they go. The road opens for cars in late May or June. Camas Road is also open to bicycles, but it isn't plowed, so bikers might hit snowdrifts along the way.
From June 15 through Labor Day, the following sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are closed to bicycle use between 11a.m. and 4 p.m.:
From Apgar turnoff (at the south end of Lake McDonald) to Sprague Creek Campground
Eastbound from Logan Creek to Logan Pass
Because of ongoing road rehabilitation on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, portions of the roadbed might not be paved. Bicyclists should use caution riding on gravel portions of the road.
Best park rides
Going-to-the Sun Road — 32 miles from Apgar Village to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet). The first half is fairly flat and follows Lake MacDonald's shore; then expect to climb.
Inside North Fork Road from Polebridge to Apgar Village — 28 miles one-way on a gravel road.
Camas Road from Apgar Village to Outside North Fork Road — 11 miles one-way with lovely views.
Call 406-888-7800 for more info.
Yellowstone National Park
From about mid-March (depending on the weather) until the third Tuesday in April, the road between the west entrance to Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs is plowed and open to nonmotorized traffic.
Yellowstone National Park snow removal efforts might allow for a brief period of bicycle-only access into the park sometime in May from the east entrance to the east end of Sylvan Pass (six miles from the entrance) and the south entrance (to West Thumb Junction) depending on road conditions for these early spring activities. The road from Madison Junction to Old Faithful and from Norris Junction to Canyon won't open for spring activities during this time.
Best park rides
Upper Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris Junction —about 18 miles one-way. The first three miles through the Golden Gate is a bit of a climb, but it gets easier and flatter after that.
West Yellowstone to Madison Junction — 14 miles one-way along the Madison River. Watch for bald eagles and bison.
Call 307-344-2109 or visit http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/springbike.htm
