On this cycling Tour we bike through America's first National Park! Located in Wyoming and Montana, it is home to grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, Old Faithful, and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs. We stay 3 nights in the park so you have time to see everything.
Starting in Red Lodge, Montana, this bicycle tour rides into Yellowstone via the Beartooth Scenic Byway, called "America's Most Beautiful Highway." Once inside the Park we make Grant's Village our basecamp for the next 3 days. From here we'll cycle to Old Faithful, riding the "Grand Loop" along the way. After a layover day to enjoy the park, we'll bike out the east entrance of Yellowstone and along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. On this cycling vacation we bike in two states, 1 National Park and 3 Scenic Byways!
Date | Day |
Ride Day |
Route |
Elevation Gain |
Miles |
23 |
Sun |
... |
Shuttle / Orientation - 8:00am |
--- |
--- |
1 |
Beartooth Scenic Byway |
6,732' |
62 |
||
24 |
Mon |
2 |
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway |
5,531' |
77 |
25 |
Tue |
3 |
Yellowstone - Grand Loop |
6,300' |
80-96 |
26 |
Wed |
4 |
Yellowstone - Off Day |
2,000' |
50 |
27 |
Thr |
5 |
Yellowstone to Cody |
3,850' |
73 |
28 |
Fri |
6 |
Chief Joseph & Beartooth |
6,500' |
66-94 |
Shuttle back to Billings |
|||||
... |
. |
... |
Total |
28,000' |
400-450 |
On this bicycle tour we meet in Billings, Montana on Sunday morning. Fly into Billings on Saturday for a Sunday morning departure. Our Bike Tour shuttle will pick you up at 8:00am Sunday morning at the Residence Inn Billings. After a short shuttle to Red Lodge we will start our first ride...
The Beartooth Highway in Montana is one of the most spectacular alpine highways in North America. It offers sweeping vistas of snow-covered mountains and panoramic views of hundreds of high alpine lakes. It is one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48 states, with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation.
In the surrounding mountains, glaciers are found on the north flank of nearly every mountain peak over 11,500 feet high. The Road itself is the highest elevation highway in Wyoming and Montana. Our destination for the night is Cooke City, gateway to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone.
Dinner is on your own tonight with a couple different choices in this quaint western town.
62 miles / 6,732 ft. elevation gain
Today we ride the entire Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, where the legendary flight of Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce indians occurred on their way to Canada. The Scenic Byway offers panoramic vistas of the Beartooths to the north and the volcanic Absaroka Range to the south. Wildlife, including elk, mule deer and mountain goats roam the area, while sheer cliffs towering 1,200 feet line a deep gorge carved by the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. After the ride we shuttle to Grant's Lodge in Yellowstone, our basecamp for the next 3 nights.
Breakfast and Dinner are on your own during our stay in Yellowstone. If you'd like to dine with your fellow riders we suggest the Lodge Dining room overlooking Yellowstone Lake at 6:00pm.
77 miles / 5,500 ft. elevation gain
Today we ride the Grand Loop! Our destination is Old Faithful, home to the world famous geyser of the same name. Along the way we pass Yellowstone Lake, the highest alspine lake in the states, and then ride through the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's most compact thermal area, with literally hundreds of geysers, pools and hot springs. We finish our geological journey at Old Faithful geyser, where we'll watch the famous eruption.
Take the tour of the historic Old Faithful Lodge or Stick around and have dinner at the Old Faithful Lodge Dining Room.
80-96 miles / 6,300 ft. elevation gain
Today is an off day to enjoy the park. For riders that want to see the sights and hike the Geysers, we will shuttle around the park and hike our favorite trails. Or if you are still fresh and want to ride, take a cruise along Yellowstone Lake, or perhaps a boat ride. Tonight is our third and last night at Grant's Lodge.
Today we ride out of Yellowstone as we make our way to Cody, Wyoming. In the morning we'll ride along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, America's largest high-altitude mountain lake at 7,733 feet. After skirting its shores, we ride out the east entrance of the park into the badlands of Wyoming, on our way to Cody, home of Buffalo Bill.
Dinner is on your own tonight, with lots of great restaurants within walking distance. Try Buffalo Bill's Irma Saloon, it has live gunfights.
73 miles / 3,800 ft. elevation gain
Today is the Grand Finale! We ride back along Chief Joseph Scenic Byway - a completely different ride in the opposite direction. We then connect with the Beartooth Scenic Byway, and get to ride down what we climbed up on Monday - a 28 mile descent into Red Lodge, Montana.
After the ride we shuttle back to Billings. Riders have the option of flying out Friday night after the ride or staying over in Billings and departing Saturday.
66-94 miles / 6,500 ft. elevation gain
Lunch on ride days is always included. On this Tour one group dinner is included and riders are on their own for the remaining, with suggested seating times for those wishing to dine with others. A continental breakfast is always included of Greek yogurt, a selection of natural cereals, Bagels, cream cheese, etc. Hot breakfasts are on your own and require eating early in the Lodges.