About This Route
Blacktail Plateau Drive, a 6-mile one-way gravel road north of Mammoth Hot Springs, delivers thrilling mountain biking in Yellowstone with sweeping views of the Gallatin Mountains and Lamar Valley. Accessible from the main park road near Indian Creek, this NPS-designated route closes to cars seasonally, prioritizing bikes and hikers. Intermediate riders enjoy punchy climbs (400 feet gain) and fast descents through lodgepole forests, completing in 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Wildlife hotspots abound; scan for wolves and pronghorn. NPS stresses this as a model for road biking safety, banning bikes from adjacent trails like Bannock Trail to protect ecosystems.
Safety Considerations
Steep grades demand strong braking; use Shimano XT calipers to avoid overheating on descents. Wolf packs and grizzlies necessitate 100-yard buffers; travel in groups of four, yelling periodically. Narrow road with no shoulder exposes to occasional service vehicles; yield right. High winds buffet plateau, destabilizing bikes; monitor forecasts via NPS app. Hypothermia risk in shaded north-facing slopes; layer synthetics. Secure snacks in Ursack bags against clever ravens. Night riding forbidden; finish by sunset to avoid disoriented animals.
Essential Gear
Armored knee/elbow pads for rocky sections, 29-inch hardtail frame with dropper post like Specialized Epic, pump and CO2 cartridges, first-aid kit with tourniquet. Bear spray, insulated water bottles (2x1L), wool gloves, and satellite communicator like inReach Mini for spotty cell service.
Emergency Tips
For crashes on descents, yell for help downhill toward Tower Junction. Bear encounter: play dead if attacked; fight back for black bears. Use PLB to signal Tower Ranger Station.