Looking for the most amazing places to bike in America?
Every
cyclist dreams of hitting a trail where incredible views and unforgettable
adventure collide. After all, when you're in the right destination, the ride
itself can become legendary.
But…
If
you don't choose the right destination, you are never going to have a
life-changing ride.
With
331.9 million visits to America's national parks in 2024 alone, people have
finally been waking up to these amazing outdoor playgrounds. The problem is
most visitors don't realize the secret these places hold…
Amazing
bicycle destinations
In
this article, you are going to learn all about the best national parks for
cycling. These are the places where you can combine jaw-dropping views and
challenging trails with a traffic-free cycling experience.
What
you'll discover:
Why
National Parks Make Perfect Cycling Destinations
The
Most Incredible Car-Free Routes You Can Ride
5
Must-Visit Parks for Every Level of Cyclist
Why
National Parks Make Perfect Cycling Destinations
To
start things off, let's look at the advantages of national park cycling. If you
haven't been considering national parks for your next big cycling adventure,
here are three reasons you need to start.
Access
to Car-Free Roads
The
first reason most national parks make amazing cycling destinations is because
of their car-free roads.
In
the parks, you get to find amazing dedicated cycling routes with no traffic at
all.
You
will also find parks like Acadia National Park have a 45-mile network of
crushed-rock carriage roads that are completely closed to motor vehicles. And,
of course, if you're going to explore these awesome places, you have to have
the right equipment. That's why serious cyclists invest in Cannondale bikes for sale
that can handle everything from the smoothest carriage road to the toughest
mountain passes.
All
this means is you will be able to:
Focus
on the scenery
Ride
at your own pace without any worry
Bring
the whole family and ride safely
Doesn't
that make sense? Take out the cars and traffic and cycling becomes pure
enjoyment.
Unbeatable
Scenic Beauty
National
parks are kind of like nature's greatest hits album.
Every
single corner features another jaw-dropping vista that you will never find on
regular bike trails. Think Glacier National Park's alpine lakes or the red rock
showstoppers at Utah's national parks. These places just ooze scenery that
makes you want to stop pedaling and just take it all in.
What
most people don't realize…
Regular
bike trails are great for exercise, but national park routes are designed for
the experience.
Well-Maintained
Infrastructure
Arguably
one of the most underrated benefits of national park cycling is the
infrastructure. You will find smooth, well-maintained surfaces, clear signage,
emergency services, and rest areas at all national park cycling routes.
You
can literally leave your navigation skills at home because these are going to
be well-marked, clearly signposted, and cyclist-friendly routes.
Now
let's look at the most incredible car-free cycling routes.
The
Most Incredible Car-Free Routes You Can Ride
If
you are wondering where to go for the most amazing car-free cycling in America…
Here's
the skinny: The best experiences happen on places that ban cars entirely. These
aren't just roads shared with cars… they are cycling paradises.
Acadia
National Park's Carriage Roads
This
is the standard by which most national park cycling is judged…
Acadia's
45-mile network of carriage roads were originally built by John D. Rockefeller
Jr. in the early 1900s. Picture crushed-stone paths snaking through forests,
weaving around ponds, and crossing 17 historic stone bridges.
Why
every cyclist falls in love with it:
ZERO
motor vehicle traffic
Routes
for every skill level
Breathtaking
Atlantic Coast views
Well-connected
loop options
The
genius of this system is you can design your own ride from easy 3-mile loops to
challenging 20+ mile adventures. You will never share this road with cars.
Going-to-the-Sun
Road Early Season
Ready
for a secret most people don't know…
Before
Glacier National Park's famous Going-to-the-Sun Road opens to cars each spring,
cyclists get to claim it exclusively. That's right, for a few short weeks in
the spring, this epic 50-mile mountain road is open to nothing but bicycles.
The
experience is nothing short of unforgettable. You will climb through different
climate zones, pass waterfalls, and follow mountain curves that offer views you
just can't see anywhere else.
5
Must-Visit Parks for Every Level of Cyclist
Ready
to plan your next cycling adventure? Below are 5 parks that offer the best
combination of incredible scenery and cyclist-friendly infrastructure. These
are 5 parks that have something to offer everyone from beginner to advanced
cyclists.
Beginner:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
As
America's most visited national park, with 12.19
million visitors in 2024 alone, the Smokies offer beginner terrain that is
perfect for building your cycling confidence.
Intermediate:
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone
is the perfect park to test your endurance once you have built your strength.
The park's 142-mile Grand Loop Road features rolling hills and plenty of
thermal features and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Advanced:
Rocky Mountain National Park
Trail
Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park delivers one of the most challenging
rides in all of America for the serious cyclist. This route climbs to over
12,000 feet in elevation and is 48 miles of continuous climbing.
Family-Friendly:
Zion National Park
Zion
National Park offers 3.5 miles of paved, flat cycling that is perfect for the
whole family. The Pa'rus Trail runs alongside the Virgin River with towering
red cliffs on both sides.
Most
Unique: Canyonlands National Park
White
Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park offers cyclists a completely different
experience… This 103-mile dirt road loop takes 2-3 days to complete and
requires camping along the way.
Making
the Most of Your National Park Cycling Adventure
Here's
the thing that experienced national park cyclists know…
Planning
is everything
You
can't just roll up to these national park cycling destinations. These are not
local trails you can take on a whim. National park cycling takes a little more
organization including advanced park passes, weather timing, proper gear, and
knowing park-specific rules.
The
secret to success is to start with the easier parks and shorter routes, then
work your way up to the more challenging destinations.
Don't
forget many
parks also offer bike rentals if you don't want to transport your own
equipment. But, for serious cyclists, investing in the right equipment is going
to make all the difference.
Get
Out There and Ride
You
now know 5 of the most incredible national parks that are home to some of
America's best bicycle destinations. The fact of the matter is that national
park cycling is going to open up experiences that you are just never going to
have anywhere else.
So,
what are you waiting for? Pick one of these parks that matches your current
fitness level and start your research for specific routes. The combination of
jaw-dropping scenery, traffic-free roads, and well-maintained infrastructure is
going to make national park cycling an adventure you will never forget.
Need
a little help researching every single detail?
Many
cyclists start with guided tours or established cycling companies that
specialize in national park adventures. These companies handle the logistics
while you get to focus on riding and enjoying the moment.
The
last thing any cyclist should do is plan a national park cycling adventure
without first checking out the current conditions and cycling regulations.
Trail closures, weather conditions, and seasonal restrictions can have a huge
impact on your plans.
