Though Grand Teton National Park has not announced a plowing date, the park will be clearing the roads soon for bike traffic only between the Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain. Follow their social media and nps.gov/grandteton→ for updates. The road usually opens the first week of April and remains bike and pedestrian only through May 1. 

Entirely dependent on weather conditions–that can change throughout the day during the spring–one road route that everyone must do at least once is the Cedron-Bates loop in Teton Valley. Running the perimeters of the Teton River’s wetlands, the 24 mile bike route offers endless vistas to enjoy the Tetons, Big Holes and Snake River ranges.

Set aside a couple hours for Idaho Falls’ iconic 10.9-mile loop along the river that goes by the Japanese Garden→ and the falls as well as offers plenty of options for a lunch break at area restaurants. Considered a mild just over three hour route is a great chance to make stops at all the spots you love downtown as spring unfolds on the riverbanks. 

Road warriors can add the Rexburg – Sugar City Loop to their ride schedule if spring conditions are unfavorable. The loop starts in Rexburg on Trejo Street next to the church and heads east along the Barney Dairy road through pristine farm fields before traversing through Sugar City and returning to town. When the route circles back to Highway 33, there is a shoulder width on the highway of 3 feet. 

The Grant to Menan Buttes tour begins at Grant Park in Grant, located between Uconn and Rigby. The loop heads west to the Lewisville Highway before joining Ellsworth Road eventually crossing the Henrys Fork and onto Twin Butte Road. A throwback to an era gone by, the serenity of Idaho’s farming life punctuates the ride as it crosses through the Yellowstone Teton Territory’s first settlements and small agricultural communities along the ride. Mostly flat, except for a short climb on North Menan Butte, the ride is great way to check in with the region’s varying geology and check out one of the world’s largest tuff volcanic cones.

Springtime weather in the Rockies is finicky, be sure to pack gear for a variety of weather patterns to cross your path and be sure to look at routes to ensure you have places to stop along the way or if you need to leave the house with all your supplies. Not sure what you need? It’s always good to check out the closest cycle shop to where you’re headed to talk about conditions, check your bike and find the  season’s latest gear tricks to keep your wheels turning.