Car-free days and bike-only windows

Some of the best riding in the national parks happens when a road is closed to private cars: spring plowing on mountain roads, shuttle-only canyons, weekly car-free days and annual bike events. Dates move with snow and park decisions, so use these as a planning guide and check each park's page before you go.

3/5

Everglades

Shark Valley Tram Road, no private cars, Dec–Apr

The Shark Valley Tram Road is not open to private vehicles; it is shared by the tram tours, cyclists and walkers.
4/5

Grand Canyon

Hermit Road, closed to private cars, Mar–Nov

Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles most of the year (shuttle and tour buses still use it), and Yaki Point Road is mostly closed to private vehicles too, so both are low-traffic rides.
5/5

Zion

Scenic Drive, shuttle season, Mar–Nov

In shuttle season, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to private vehicles and open to shuttles, cyclists and walkers.
5/5

Glacier

Going-to-the-Sun Road during plowing, Apr–Jun

During spring plowing (roughly April to June), sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road closed to cars are open to hikers and bikers. Road-crew closures apply Monday to Thursday, avalanche closures apply at all times, and closure points are set weekly on Thursdays. Ignoring closures can bring fines of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
5/5

Grand Teton

Teton Park Road before it opens, Apr

Teton Park Road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain is closed to vehicles November 1 to May 1; bikes can usually use it from about April 1 once it's clear.
4/5

Lassen Volcanic

Hike & Bike the Highway, Apr–Jun

Hike & Bike the Highway: during spring clearing, sections of Highway 89 open to walkers, runners and cyclists before vehicles. The park can't predict when sections open, and closures can return after storms; check Alerts and Current Conditions.
4/5

Yellowstone

Spring and fall bike-only roads, Apr–May, Nov

Spring: Mammoth to West Entrance (49 mi) and East Entrance to the east side of Sylvan Pass (6 mi). Fall adds Madison Junction to Old Faithful (16 mi), Tower-Roosevelt to Chittenden Road (6 mi) and South Entrance to West Thumb (22 mi). Dates depend on weather and plowing.
5/5

Acadia

Carriage roads, never open to cars, May–Nov

The carriage roads are closed to motor vehicles year-round and shared only with walkers and horse riders. Horses are barred from signposts 1 through 8 (the Witch Hole Pond loop and part of the Eagle Lake loop).
3/5

Great Smoky Mountains

Cades Cove, car-free Wednesdays, May–Sep

The Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles all day every Wednesday from May 6 to September 30, 2026, leaving it to cyclists and pedestrians.
4/5

Denali

Park Road beyond Mile 15, Jun–Sep

Beyond Savage River (Mile 15), private cars aren't allowed on the Park Road: you share it with park buses and permitted vehicles. In spring and fall, when buses aren't running, public cars may go as far as Mile 13 or Mile 30 and bikes are welcome beyond.
4/5

Capitol Reef

Reef Ride Bike Days, Sep

Reef Ride Bike Days: on September 19 and 26, 2026, the 7.9-mile Scenic Drive was reserved for cyclists (including Class 1–3 e-bikes), hikers and runners from sunrise until 3 pm. Watch the park's news page for next year's dates.
4/5

Crater Lake

Ride the Rim (East Rim Drive), Sep

Ride the Rim: East Rim Drive closes to vehicles on two Saturdays a year (usually September), giving 24 car-free miles. The NPS page doesn't list dates; check ridetherimoregon.com.