National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2024             24-011

Morgan Warthin
Phone: 307-344-2015
Email: yell_public_affairs@nps.gov

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Spring Bicycling Begins on Select Yellowstone Roads
Cyclists - Anticipate Harzards and Vehicles on the Roads

Bicyclists - Must Plan Ahead for Safety.

2024 spring bicycling between Yellowstone National Park’s West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs begins April 2nd, 2024.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Beginning Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, bicyclists willing to brave the unpredictable weather of spring in Yellowstone National Park can ride 49 miles between the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

The following park roads between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs will open to bicycling:

• West Entrance to Madison Junction
• Madison Junction to Norris Junction
• Norris Junction to Mammoth Hot Springs


As conditions allow, bicycles will also be permitted from the East Entrance to the east end of Sylvan Pass (6 miles). Check the bicycling web page for updates.

Bicycles are not allowed on the remaining park roads until they start to open to public automobiles on Friday, April 19th, 2024.

Check park roads for spring opening dates.

~ ~ Ride Safely ~ ~

     • Ride single file and use extreme caution. Expect administrative vehicles such as snowplows, heavy equipment, contractor and employee traffic. Roadway shoulders are narrow, and curves can limit visibility.
     • Bears, bison, elk, moose and other wildlife use roads as travel corridors when the snow is deep. Be mindful as they endure this hardest part of the year. Snowbanks prevent them from easily moving off the road. Do not crowd, harass, or push wildlife and be prepared to wait or turn around.
      • Stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards away from all other wildlife. It is your responsibility to maintain safe distances at all times.
     • Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
     • Travel during daylight hours only. There are currently no overnight accommodations or camping in the park.
     • Watch for quickly changing weather conditions and the possibility of temporary road closures. Snow and ice may cover sections of road.
     • No services will be available between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs, except limited restrooms. In Mammoth Hot Springs, the only facilities open will be the post office, general store, visitor center, medical clinic and self-service fuel pumps.
     • Plan for self-rescue or repair. Cell phone coverage throughout the park is sparse and unreliable for communicating emergencies.
     • Prepare to spend an extended period in winter conditions in the event of a mechanical breakdown, injury or other emergency.

There is no bicycle access to Old Faithful or Canyon until the first interior park roads open to public motorized vehicle at 8:00 AM on Friday, April 16th, 2024.

As conditions allow, bicycles will be permitted from the East Entrance to the east end of Sylvan Pass, and the South Entrance to West Thumb. Check the Spring and Fall Bicycling web page for the status of the road segments.

The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, to Silver Gate / Cooke City, Montana, at the park's Northeast Entrance is open all year to cyclists and automobiles, weather permitting. Some interior park roads don't open to automobile travel until Memorial Day weekend.

Cyclists can call 307-344-2109 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays for updated road access information, or call 307-344-2117 for 24-hour weather information before committing to any ride in the park.

Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day at: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm or by calling: 307-344-2117.