With every closing of a season comes the exciting birth of a new one, but the transition time between has a lot to offer too. So it is with the outdoor activities in Yellowstone National Park–snowmobiling season in Yellowstone is finishing around mid-March, and the spring/summer wheeled-vehicle season doesn’t open until the third Friday in April.  The time in between, from mid March to the end of April, offers visitors the unique chance to enjoy park roads motor-free.

Just like the rest of us, park crews need to do their annual spring cleaning! Public access via motorized vehicles is prohibited while park crews plow the roads and make summer season preparations. With no vehicles on the road, bicycling, walking, jogging, roller blading and roller skiing take on a whole new level of fun!

These activities are permitted between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs as conditions allow from late-March (generally the last Friday in March) through the third Thursday in April. The opening day in March is dependent on the weather, but check back to the NPS Spring Cycling page (http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/springbike.htm) for updates.

Before you head out, remember to find out which roads are open by calling 307-344-2109.