Biking in Yellowstone

[lkcavanagh]

We're heading through Yellowstone in the next few weeks and have heard from just about everyone that it's pretty terrible for biking. No shoulder, full of rvs looking at scenery and not at bikers, and so on. I welcome any tips about how to avoid the main tourist throngs, or any ideas about safety.  We already have reflective vests and orange safety flags. Thanks!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[CMajernik]

Get on the road early in the morning - there will be less vehicles than in mid-day. Having vests and the flags is a great idea to make yourselves more visible. During the summer months there's no way to avoid the tourist throngs since those will be some of the same places you'll want to see. Check the Yellowstone National Park website for possible road construction & closures. And here's a link to biking in the park:
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/bicycling.htm

[litespeed]

I never had any major problems bicycling around Yellowstone except maybe for the climb up into the park from the east on US14/20. It's narrow, winding and heavily trafficked but there is no alternative so I figured tough, let them drive around me. Aside from that I bicycled comfortably all over the park.

Ignore "Campground Full" signs. They will usually make room for a bicycle tourist.

The cafeteria at West Thumb had about the worst food I've ever eaten. Hopefully it has gotten better.

There is an excellent campground in West Yellowstone.

Avoid 191 north to Bozeman. It's narrow, shoulderless, hemmed in by the river and cliffs and there is an endless stream of impatient truckdrivers. Take any other route.

There is a lot to see in Yellowstone. Take your time and enjoy the sights.

[LongTallEandM]

Yes, ride early to avoid the crowds.  We had no flats/punctures on the TransAm until we rode the off-road, unpaved sections of the TransAm in Yellowstone (e.g., Fountain Flat "road"), where we picked up nails and other debris and had four flats in one day.

There is always room in campgrounds for touring cyclists. 

[lkcavanagh]

Thanks for the tips, especially to ignore the full signs!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[nanatorry47]

Do you know that the road between Old Faithful and Grant Village is closed for a bridge replacement?
Norris Geyser Basin and campground are very nice.
Have a great trip.

Wayne

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk

[heyltd]

I echo what others have said, get up in the dark and start pedalling at first light. It's not the best place to ride but the scenery is awesome.We took a day off and did a bus tour, well worth it. Don't stress about it too much and enjoy!
Linda

[staehpj1]

Good advice above.  Riding early helps.

What days of the week you are there can be a factor as well.  By mid afternoon Sunday a lot of the traffic has cleared out and it remains somewhat lighter until the week end gets close.  Avoiding Friday - Mid day Sunday helps.

All in all, we enjoyed passing through there on the Trans America.  We rode into the park late in the day on a Sunday.  Yes there was traffic, but it wasn't that bad.

[John Nelson]

Best conditions will be before Independence Day and after Labor Day.

[Pat Lamb]

Best conditions will be before Independence Day and after Labor Day.

Best road conditions, but facilities start closing down shortly before Labor Day.

Like Pete, I expected to see a dramatic dropoff in visitors on Sunday afternoon, such as I've seen in Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite.  However, I didn't see the expected drop.  I think Yellowstone is so far from major population centers that people leaving to get back to work Monday have to drive 2-3 days to get there or home, with the result that the visitor traffic load is smoother than I expected.

[lkcavanagh]

We plan to get there on Monday or Tuesday,  and leave by Thursday. Can't wait and send you "don't get hit hy an RV" juju our way!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[bicyclejunkies]

We just went through Yellowstone ourselves, it is indeed pretty busy with RV's.

Our strategy is to just 'take the road'. Act like a car and ride 1/3rd to halfway in the lane. This way they just have to stop! Otherwise they think they can actually pass when another RV is approaching at the same time.

I actually feel safer this way; they might not like it and honk, but I don't really care. My life is more important. We were ok, most of them understand it.

Good luck! It's a must see! Have a look at the link if you like!

[lkcavanagh]

Left the park the other day. I felt pretty safe most of the time, especially on the improved roads in the southern parts.

Quick suggestions for others following this post:

1. Always put a car btwn you and the bison. A ranger suggested this and of course it makes sense to do and we would flag down a car and let them know our plan and they would go nice and slow with us.

And, take the "drives" along the main road. They always connect back and are always super pretty and usually RVs aren't allowed so there is less big traffic!.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk