10 Great National Parks for Cyclists

Written by
Ryan Wood
America's national parks offer a variety of activities for its visitors—and many of the parks are ideal for bike lovers. Here are 10 national parks you should check out on two wheels.
Crater Lake National Park
Oregon
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The 33-mile ride on Rim Drive around Crater Lake is demanding—and breathtaking. The elevation gains (and you're already well above sea level) can be a challenge, but the views of the stunning Crater Lake throughout the ride are well worth it.
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Acadia National Park
Maine
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Not only are there paved roads for cycling, but the park features 45 miles of historic carriage roads with a crushed rock surface for cyclists to explore both the coastline and the rocky terrain of one of New England's most beautiful parks.
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Redwood National Park
California
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Combine loops to prolong your ride amongst the awe-inspiring redwoods of Northern California, which tower some 350 feet above the ground. The park is right along the California coast, so some routes give you great views of the Pacific Ocean, too.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii
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Get a look at nature's diverse beauty on Hawaii's Big Island. Multiple trails ranging from less than a mile to more than 36 miles takes cyclists past volcanic activity, rainforests, deserts, craters and rift zones. Due to the fragile nature of the volcanic area, cyclists are asked to stay on the designated bike routes.
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Death Valley National Park
California
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Probably not the best idea during the unbearably hot summer months, but cycling Death Valley during "cooler" weather is worth doing. The large park has 785 miles of pavement for road cyclists and hundreds of miles of trails suitable for mountain biking.
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Glacier National Park
Montana
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The 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road is an incredible scenic ride for cyclists—and also a tough one. Cutting through the heart of the park and traveling around mountainsides, bikers can catch a glimpse of the Jackson Glacier Overlook as well as wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep. (Photo: Glacier NP)
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Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona
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One of America's most famous national parks has great options for cyclists on both the North and South Rims. That includes the 2.8-mile Hermit Road Greenway Trail on the South Rim. Bikes aren't allowed in the canyon, but the views from atop it are unforgettable. (Photo: Grand Canyon NP)
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Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado
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With more than 60 miles of hard-surfaced roads within the park, prepare to climb more than two miles above sea level and catch breathtaking glimpses of some of America's biggest and most beautiful mountains.
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Canyonlands National Park
Utah
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A mountain biker's paradise, particularly at the Island in the Sky district which has the 100-mile White Rim Road off-road bikers love. (Photo: Canyonlands NP)
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Big Bend National Park
Texas
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Located near the U.S.-Mexico border, this park has 100 miles of paved roads and 160 miles of dirt roads for all types of cyclists. In all, about 10 different trails provide views of the Chisos Mountains and beautiful rock formations.
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