A Yellowstone National Park bike tour is an otherworldly experience especially if you happen to enjoy wildlife, geysers and fabulous landscapes!

This tour spends three days in the National Park and then four days in the lesser known, but equally compelling Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We consider Day-7’s Beartooth Pass to be one of the top three climbs on any of our 30 USA bike touring itineraries!

Although our Yellowstone tour is a great tour for the upper-intermediate rider level, it’s optional rides offer BIG challenges for the every-freak-inch (E.F.I.) type rider. For example, in the five years that we have run this Yellowstone itinerary, only five riders have ever ridden E.F.I. of this tour!

NOTE: Quite a few more riders would have ridden E.F.I., but a combination of rain and wind shut down a group outside of Cooke City on Day-6 a few summers ago.

• Duration: 6-days
• Ride Type: Road
• Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced
• Average Daily Mileage: 36 – 57

• Gallatin River Canyon
• Yellowstone National Park
• Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin
• Yellowstone Lake
• The old west town of Cody, Wyoming
• Chief Joseph Highway
• Beartooth Highway

Riders either drive to fly to Bozeman, Montana. If flying, the airport is Yellowstone International Airport (BZN).

16 miles with up to 860 feet of climbing

After a morning shuttle from Bozeman, Montana to the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, we embark on our journey into the park. But keep a look out for the commonly sighted bison and elk, often right in the middle of the road! Also keep a keen eye for the more elusive grizzly bear, or perhaps even some wolves! This is wild and rugged terrain where wildlife abounds amid the beauty of Mother Nature and her geothermal wonders. We also urge you to stop at the many pullouts to take in the wonders along the way as we explore the Lower Geyser Basin.

We end the day at Old Faithful and marvel in its magnificence and also take in many other geothermal features that dot the Upper Geyser Basin.

Standard: 49 miles with up to 2,590 feet of climbing

E.F.I. Option: 56 miles with up to 3,600 feet of climbing

Starting from Old Faithful, today’s route will take us over the Continental Divide and then along the western shores of Yellowstone Lake, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America. Yellowstone Lake is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera which is the largest ancient super-volcano on the North American continent.

Our destination today is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – an amazing 900 foot deep canyon carved into the ancient rock by the Yellowstone River that offers picturesque views of waterfalls and deeply eroded golden red rock formations. While Yellowstone National Park is best known for it’s geysers and thermal water features, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a hidden gem that must be visited to be appreciated. It’s simply gorgeous!

Standard: 65 miles with up to 2,675 feet of climbing
E.F.I. Option: 94 miles with up to 3,045 feet of climbing

Today offers an epic day on the bike! After a hearty breakfast for the long day ahead, riders depart from Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, pedal along the eastern shores of Yellowstone Lake, and then exit Yellowstone National Park via the East Entrance. After some moderate climbing for the first third of the route, riders will enjoy losing 4,500 feet along a 60 mile descent as we make our way along the
North Fork of the Shoshone River, through the scenic Wapiti Valley, along The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, around Buffalo Bill Reservoir to eventually make our way into the rustic western cowboy town of Cody, Wyoming. Wow! What a day!

Optional 52 mile ride and/or hike

Standard: 47-miles with 3,000-feet of climbing
EFI: Option: 77 miles with up to 7,300 feet of climbing

Standard: 44 miles with 4,200-feet of climbing
EFI: Option: 64-miles with up to 5,400 feet of climbing

Upon arrival in Red Lodge, we end at Red Lodge Ales to toss back a few celebratory brews and then pack up to shuttle back to Bozeman to end the tour.