By Jessianne Castle EBS ENVIRONMENTAL & OUTDOORS
BIG SKY – Last
year approximately 2.5 million vehicles rolled through Yellowstone National
Park, in the form of tour busses, family cars, campers and park vehicles, often
bumper to bumper during peak visitation periods. But for several weeks every
April, and again in the fall, many of the park’s roads close to motorized
vehicles and open for bicyclists as park staff plows roads and transitions from
the winter to summer season.
Yellowstone
opened for the first day of spring biking on March 28. The road from the park’s
West Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs is currently open to the public for
non-motorized travel. During this time, minimal traffic from park employees is still
possible.
According to
Yellowstone’s Public Affairs Office, additional routes from the East and South
entrances, which sometimes are cleared in time for the early biking season,
aren’t likely to open this year until May as crews have only just begun plowing
the eastern part of the park.
Beginning on
April 19, roads that are clear of snow will open to motorized use, giving
cyclists a full three weeks to enjoy the park with virtually no traffic.
“It’s a
really unique experience because you kind of get the whole park to yourself,”
said Kelli Hart, co-owner of Freeheel and Wheel bicycle and ski shop in West
Yellowstone. “There’s usually still snow on the sides of the road and it’s a
great chance to see wildlife.”
Big Sky
local Morgen Ayres describes biking in the park as one of her favorite things
to do.
“When you
are pedaling through Yellowstone, the 360-degree views, the
fresh spring air and the quiet peace is unforgettable,” she said. “You can
take your time and bike through all the pullouts to watch the herds of bison
and elk or get a lot of miles in for a great workout.”
She added
that bikers need to remain alert in case of wildlife. “I’ve never had a close
encounter, but I have had to wait for bison to move along before zipping past
them.”
Beginning at
the park’s West Entrance, cyclists can travel 14 miles east to Madison Junction
and continue north to Mammoth Hot Springs, a 48–mile ride one way. The road
from the North Entrance traveling to Cooke City is open to automobiles as well
as cyclists all year, weather permitting.
When
venturing into the park during Montana’s sometimes fickle spring, it’s
important to be prepared.
“Watch out
for the weather. It changes quickly. You can start off the ride in the sun and
end up finishing in the snow. Bring your layers, gloves, hat and jacket,” Ayres
said. “[And] don’t forget your bear spray.”
During the
spring bicycling period, services remain closed in the park interior and
cyclists should bring their own food and water. The National Park Service
stresses that cell phone coverage is sparse and unreliable for communicating
emergencies.
For road closure updates and information about spring biking in Yellowstone, call Freeheel and Wheel at (406) 646-7744 or visit nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/spring-fall-bicycling.htm. Updated road information is available 24 hours a day at (307) 344-2117.
A version of this article was first
published in the March 31, 2017, edition of EBS.
