Best National Parks for Biking

Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park and the surrounding Maine communities offer a truly spectacular setting for the bicycling enthusiast or professional alike. The Park has approximately 45 miles of suitable road surfaces comprised of the famous Carriage Roads (financed and directed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., between 1913 and 1940) and portions of paved motor vehicle roadways. Carriage Roads wind through the heart of the park and have crushed rock surfaces. Some of the Carriage Roads are on private land and are posted as closed to bicycles.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Gazing across the horizon from the peaks of Shenandoah National Park it’s hard to believe you are just 75 miles from the bustle of our nation’s capital. Take Skyline Drive along the crest of the mountains through the woods and past spectacular vistas. Hike in the shade of oak trees along the Appalachian Trail, discover the stories from Shenandoah’s past, or just relax in the wonder of wilderness.

Big Bend National Park, Texas
Lightly traveled roads and varied terrain make Big Bend a premier bicycling location. Over 100 miles of paved roads, and 160 miles of backcountry dirt roads provide challenges for riders of all types and abilities. Bicyclists must be extremely cautious and well-prepared, but bicycling allows outstanding panoramic views, unobstructed by a windshield. It also allows the bicyclist to see and hear some of the smaller wonders of Big Bend from a more intimate viewpoint.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Mountain biking on paved roads in Rocky Mountin National Park offers dramatic scenery. Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake Road and Old Fall River Road are frequented by bikers looking for a challenge.If you choose to skip the uphill part, local companies will drive you to the top and you can ride downhill to town. The Park advises mountain bikers: Be aware park roads have narrow or no shoulders, and often carry heavy traffic. To minimize conflicts with vehicles, plan your ride for the early morning hours. Try to be off the road in late afternoon when thunderstorms and lightening create serious hazards

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Biking is a popular activity in the park. Currently, there are no formal bikepaths, but beginning in 2009 a section of the park's new multi-use pathway is scheduled to open to the public. The pathway section from Taggart Lake Trailhead to South Jenny Lake is scheduled to open in the spring of 2009 with the section from Dornans property line to Taggart Lake Trailhead scheduled to open during the fall of 2009. Unique regulations apply to the multi-use pathway. More information will follow upon opening. Some roads in the park have only a very narrow shoulder, or lack one altogether. Extreme caution must be used
 
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Canyonlands is famous for its mountain biking terrain, particularly for the 100-mile White Rim Road at the Island in the Sky. The Maze also offers some multi-day trip possibilities, though the logistics and roads are more difficult (for the support vehicles, not the bikes). Many of the roads in the Needles travel up wash bottoms and are unsuitable for bikes due to deep sand and water. Permits are required for all overnight trips in the backcountry. Permits are not required for day rides. During the spring and fall, demand for permits frequently exceeds the number available. If you plan to visit Canyonlands during peak season, especially to camp along the White Rim Road, it is recommended that you make reservations well in advance. These permits can be reserved starting the second Monday in July for the next calendar year.

Zion National Park, Utah
Bikes are allowed on established roads in Zion National Park but not on the trails. The one exception is the paved Pa'rus Trail. This trail runs along the Virgin River and connects with the Zion National Park Campgrounds. This is a great place for the family to get out and bike inside of the park. Although biking through Zion Canyon is safer now that the majority of cars do not travel this road, there is still danger from the wide turns of the Zion Canyon Shuttle. Bike groups are often seen riding on the main highway through Zion National Park, the Zion -Mt. Carmel Highway that runs from the south side of the park to Mount Carmel Junction.

Redwood National Park, California
Explore the secluded habitats of majestic redwoods towering more than 350 feet over hushed forest floors, whose saplings took root up to two millennia ago. Hike through a fern-laced slot canyon, ride past rolling farmland and paddle across a pristine lagoon, home to abundant birdlife. There's plenty of time to swim in rivers, play on the beach and relax in peaceful surroundings. From off-the-beaten-track national and state parks to rugged Pacific shoreline, discover this regal region by foot, bike and kayak, savoring tranquil nights beside coastal meadows and beneath ancient canopies.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to Crater Lake National Park to ride around the lake on the 33-mile Rim Drive. The route is physically demanding. Steep hills at high elevation may encourage even the most fit riders to pause at many of the road's thirty overlooks and pullouts. The payoff, however, is spectacular scenery, seen at a pace that few visitors choose to take enough time for.

Death Valley National Park, California
Bicycles can be used on all park roads that are open to public vehicular traffic. They can also be used on routes that have been designated for bicycle use in developed areas such as the path between the visitor center and the Harmony Borax Works. They are not allowed on closed roads, service roads, off of roadways, or on any trails. Riding a bicycle abreast of another bicycle on our narrow roads is dangerous and is also prohibited. Death Valley has more than 785 miles of roads including hundreds of miles suitable for Mountain Biking.