The 10 Best US National Parks for Cycling

We believe that biking is the most effective way to explore all of the U.S. National Parks. These are the top 10 parks that are suitable for cycling.

By Will Tracy

Sep 03, 2024 08:05 PM

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At Velo we believe one of the most effective methods to visit several among the United States’ beloved national parks is on a bicycle. The National Parks are in the 63 in the United States and most of them offer at least a couple of miles of picturesque cycling trails. But, not all of them are suitable for cycling.

In our top 10 most popular national parks for cycling, we focused on roads that feel safe, while avoiding the major park roads that are crowded and have no shoulder that is frequented by snazzy tourists. When we do recommend those roads, there are days that are completely car-free or whole periods of the year when you can enjoy them.

Before you can ride in any parks, you need to know important things to know. Each nation park comes with its own rules concerning where cyclists may ride. The majority of them limit the use of trails, and limit mountain biking and gravel however that’s not the case in all parks.

Roads that are paved tend to be accessible to cyclists in the same way as other roads, however there are limitations in certain areas, such as tunnels that go through them or restrictions during the winter months due to closed roads during winter. There are many parks that offer separate routes that go through at the very least parts within the parks.

Each park has its own guidelines for cycling, including e-bike usage and other restrictions, so make sure to check at nps.gov for the latest information on each park you’re considering visiting.

Glacier

Going-to-the-Sun Road is an essential part of every excursion towards Glacier National Park. However, while many people traverse the mountain road through the northern part of Montana the most efficient way to travel it is via bicycle. The road is closed every year due to snowfall and requires a lot of effort to remove everything in the summer time. This is beneficial to cyclists. After the road is mostly cleared however, before it’s opened to vehicles, there’s a short time when cyclists have the road of their dreams for themselves (well they do, as well as the bears and other animals who roam the parkBring spray for bears!) The date for opening the road varies each year, so having a flexible plan can help you take full benefit of this unique opportunity. The road remains open for bicycles once it opens to cars, however you’ll have to contend with a lot of traffic and could be attracted by the scenic view.

Grand Teton

The majestic mountains rise up over a high-altitude valley and a valley of high altitude, the Tetons are among the most beautiful landscapes within the United States, making Grand Teton National Park worth a visit. It is possible to see the rugged mountains on a bike, separating from traffic and cars, via the park’s multi-use trail which runs in parallel with the road that runs that runs through the park. The path isn’t to the full extent of the park, instead ending with Jenny Lake, but the great thing is that the pathway extends to the nearby town of Jackson and the views out of the national park remain top exceptional, meaning you are able to extend your trip far beyond your short trip in the park. There are more than 50 miles of paths that are part of the system. Experienced road cyclists can also take the main road that runs through the park’s national park.

Zion

Zion is among the parks that is most popular with tourists but, in some ways it can also mean it’s ideal for cyclists. To stop traffic, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles for the majority of the time, with winter being the only exception but is instead open only to shuttle buses and bicycles, providing approximately 15 miles of stunning road to experience riding on two wheels. Bikes must stop and allow shuttles to go by, but it’s much better than being snubbed by a constant flow of cars. It also allows you to take in the beauty of nature with a slower speed.

Acadia

There is John D. Rockefeller Jr. to be grateful to the reason for Acadia National Park making this list. Looking for a location to take horses free from the rigors of city life and traffic, he financed an entire carriage route of 45 miles through the area in Maine. The road network that was constructed over the course of three decades, beginning in 1910, remains accessible to horses, however cyclists are also able to enjoy the roads, which were constructed to complement the natural surroundings and take in the most breathtaking views of the park. Acadia could be the most bicycle-friendly roads in all national parks.

Death Valley

A place named Death Valley doesn’t really come into your mind as you consider the top locations to bike, and you’d probably be right at least during the summer months when temperatures reach 130 ° F (54C). But, as the days become shorter and more chilly the area is among the most enjoyable places to take a bicycle. A multitude of miles of paved roads accessible to cyclists with diverse desert landscapes are waiting. The park is renowned as being an elevation that is the lowest within North America, Badwater Basin with a height of 282 feet lower than sea level. However it’s a hilly area, as well as the highest elevation point, Telescope Peak, tops at 11,000 feet.

Olympic

Olympic National Park offers one of the most challenging climbing routes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Its Hurricane Ridge ride goes from the coast to Hurricane Ridge, gaining over 5,000 feet in just 19 miles, surrounded by the mountains. If you flip it over, you’ll have 40 miles of stunning landscape. Even better you can take this journey without having to drive. In August, cyclists get the chance to enjoy the road when it’s closed to vehicles. There are a limited number of spots available, so make certain to sign up in advance.

Everglades

Cycling in a variety of national parks requires that you are prepared for some climbing. This is not the case if you go to the Everglades. A far cry from a climbing retreat The park located situated in south Florida is the perfect solution for those who want to stay nice and level. The park has five bike routes that range from 3.2 miles to 15, miles Shark Valley Tram Road, that allows you to view the variety of wildlife that the park offers. If large reptiles such as snakes or alligators are piqued your curiosity, or you’re more interested in birds, you’ll be able to see incredible wildlife along this route. And, unlike other parks bike trails which are closed during winter, this trail is accessible all year.

Redwood

Are you feeling tiny? The towering redwood trees of the Northern part of California’s Redwood National Park will help. At The Elk Meadow Day Use Area there are numerous bicycle trails that were once roadways for logging. You can imagine that for forests that are located close to logging routes, the majority of the area is second-growth, but the western portion of Lost Man Creek Trail features one mile of forest that is old-growth. Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is another great excursion. The majority of the time you’ll be sharing the road that is paved with vehicles However, on the first Saturday in the month of October through May, the road is closed to cars and you should plan your trip in advance! The park’s proximity ocean means that excellent coast riding is possible in case you’re tired of gazing at the old trees.

Crater Lake

The majority of rides that you can find within national parks offer out-and-backs However, the majority people will admit that loops are much more enjoyable, particularly those that circumnavigate the entire lake. The Crater Lake loop in Oregon is a wildly well-known excursion. The entire ride is about 33 miles and climbs 4,500 feet. This is definitely a ride for experienced road cyclists because of the absence of shoulder along a road which is usually crowded with cars during peak season. There are also opportunities to cycle it in a car-free manner. There are times during the year that Rim Drive is closed to vehicles, but it is free of snow and cyclists can are able to ride the road by themselves. There are also two Saturdays in the year when approximately two-thirds of the road is shut to traffic.

Lassen Volcanic

Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California doesn’t have any trails for cyclists to explore its sulfur vents and volcanoes and sulfur vents, so biking through the park will mean negotiating traffic at least in the season of autumn and summer. Similar to other national parks, which experience snowfall roads close during winter. However, when they are cleared in the spring and summer months this provides a chance for hikers and bikers to enjoy the roads for themselves. The roads are cleaned in sections, culminating with around 20 miles of road-free riding, before the roads are finally opened to traffic of all kinds.