From the day Yellowstone National Park closes to over snow traffic (March 15, weather dependent) to the third Thursday in April, some of the park roads are open to non-motorized traffic. Park crews plow the roads and administrative travel is permitted. Biking, walking, jogging, roller blades, etc are allowed without a fee from the West Yellowstone entrance to Mammoth as conditions allow. The road between Madison Junction to Old Faithful is closed to non-motorized traffic in the spring for bear management. Additionally, cyclists may enjoy a brief period of bicycle-only access in May on the East entrance to Slyvan Pass and the South entrance. The road from Gardiner to Cooke City is open all year round to vehiles and bicycles, weather permitting.
Please note the weather is unpredictable, and there is usually a head wind on the return trip from Madison Junction to the West Entrance. There are no services available and riders must pack in/pack out all supplies. Please ride single file, carry bear spray, and give a wide berth or turn around when encountering wildlife. Non-motorized users may encounter vehicles and plows on the roads.
Important Spring Dates:
- March 15, 2011 - All groomed roads in the park are closed
- March 25, 2011 - The West Entrance will be open for spring biking, see map below. ( third week in March- Generally the date the West entrance is open to non-motorized traffic. Please contact the YNP Visitor Services Center at 307-344-2107 for the exact opening date.) pdf with spring biking info
- April 15, 2011—Weather permitting, west-side roads open to motor vehicles. Mammoth to Norris Junction to Madison Junction to Old Faithful; Madison Junction to West Entrance. In addition, Norris Junction to Canyon opens to wheeled vehicles.
- May 6, 2011—Weather permitting, Canyon to Lake, Lake to East Entrance opens to wheeled vehicles.
- May 13, 2011—Tower to Tower Fall opens to wheeled vehicles. Lake to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful, and South to Old Faithful opens to wheeled vehicles. Cooke City via Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway intersection to the Long Lake gate shall open as soon thereafter as possible.
- May 27, 2011—Long Lake Gate over the Beartooth, and Tower Falls to Canyon will be open.
Information on cycling in Yellowstone National Park can be found at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/springbike.htm and http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm
Map and more info can be found at www.nps.gov/yell
