5 National Parks In America That Every Cyclist Will Love
When it comes to seeing all of America’s different National Parks, you’ll find that most travelers make their way into these outdoor spaces by car or camper. But if you’re into enjoying the outdoors on your bike, then you’re probably interested in knowing which of our National Parks have the best bicycle-friendly roadways and adventures worth taking. When the weather is nice and some of our favorite roads are beckoning, it’s the perfect time to start planning a trip to one of these breathtaking parks in America! Here are some of the best National Parks to visit in the United States for cyclists:
A great national park for bicyclists of all levels, Grand Teton National Park features an extensive pathway system that will leave you in awe. From the town of Jackson, the park's pathway extends north to Antelope Flats Road, surrounding you with breathtaking views and wide open spaces. If you don't want to travel with a bike of your own, you'll find that all throughout towns like Teton Village, Moose, and Jackson there are plenty of local businesses that offer bike rentals. To learn more about biking your way through this national park, check out the official NPS.gov listing.
Head up to the upper right corner of the U.S. and bike your way through Acadia National Park. Known for its wonderful carriage roads, only bicyclists, pedestrians, and horses are allowed on these roads that will take you right through the best parts of this national park. Ride up the mountainside along destinations like Park Loop Road and you'll quickly reach amazing views of the Atlantic Coast; it's a popular ride to enjoy during the summertime. To learn more about biking your way through this national park, visit the official NPS website.
Zion is a National Park that's often suggested to bicyclists who consider themselves to be beginners. If you travel to the western half of Zion National Park you can find tons of amazing routes to bike along. All of the roadways within the national park are permitted for bicycling, with certain areas like the Mount Carmel Tunnel requiring a ride right through the mountain. If you want to avoid highly trafficked areas, you can bike along Zion Canyon Road where visitors will only find traffic from the park shuttles. To learn more about biking your way through this national park, visit NPS.gov.
One of the most beautiful places that you can go biking in America, Crater Lake National Park offers views that overlook the mountains and Crater Lake. This national park is best suited for more advanced cyclists. Crater Lake's Rim Road opens up for the year once all the snow is melted and warmer weather finally arrives. A great bike ride to kick off the spring and summer seasons, throughout the year you'll also find that certain roads in the park offer Vehicle Free Days where bicyclists can enjoy the beautiful roadways without dealing with the noise and traffic from vehicles. To learn more about biking your way through this national park, the official NPS.gov website has all the details.
Last but not least, bicyclists can go on an unforgettable adventure through Rocky Mountain National Park. Featuring the popular Trail Ridge Road, the national park's road stretches across nearly 50 miles and has almost a 5,000-foot elevation gain. Open from spring through fall, the road sees a good amount of traffic during the summer and will require the purchase of a day pass. With more than ten miles of roadway that takes you above the tree line, you'll love putting in the effort it takes to reach these amazing views. To learn more about biking your way through this national park, visit the NPS website.
Address: Zion National Park, UT, Springdale, UT 84737, USA
Address: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Address: Acadia National Park Pond, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Address: Crater Lake National Park, 1 Sager Building, Crater Lake, OR 97604, USA
Address: Estes Park, CO 80517, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Parks to Visit in the United States
April 25, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best National Parks in the United States?
The United States has a grand total of 63 National Parks (as of 2021). All of them are pretty amazing in their own ways – after all, they probably wouldn’t be designated National Parks if they weren’t! Some of the most incredible, sought-after National Parks in the United States to visit include the unforgettable Yellowstone National Park, which is a haven for both landscape lovers and geoscientists. It is a perfect testament to the fierce beauty of the region it’s nestled in, and a visit to Yellowstone is sure to be remembered forever. Another incredible option is the breathtaking Glacier National Park, which treats visitors to some of the most outrageously perfect scenery in the world. Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of California, and Zion National Park in Utah is often framed as the “most beautiful” in the country – though, of course, that’s fairly subjective. After all, Grand Canyon National Park is pretty incredible, too! Which National Park in the United States is your favorite?
What are some of the most scenic hiking trails in the United States?
With jaw-droppingly incredible National Parks come jaw-droppingly incredible hiking trails, and we feel like it’s kind of impossible to mention them all in one go. We do have a few favorites though, which include the amazing Burroughs Mountain Trail at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. It’s nine miles round-trip and features truly incredible views of mountains and glaciers that have been around far longer than us (and will continue to be around long after we’ve gone). Should you find yourself in Shenandoah National Park, do the Upper Hawksbill Trail. It’s a moderate, two-mile round-trip adventure to the highest point in the park with truly epic views of Shenandoah Valley. The Navajo Loop Trail is a must-do for those who love the beauty of the desert (honestly, ALL of Bryce Canyon National Park is amazing). Looking for a challenge? Try Bright Angel Trail, at Grand Canyon National Park. It’s 15.3 amazing miles of super-challenging trails. Bring lots of water – you’re going to need it.
Address: Zion National Park, UT, Springdale, UT 84737, USA
Address: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Address: Acadia National Park Pond, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Address: Crater Lake National Park, 1 Sager Building, Crater Lake, OR 97604, USA
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
