Yosemite National Park "Bikes Only" Days
Riding Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park without cars is a special time of the year and is bucket-list worthy for any experienced cyclist.
In the spring, there is a short window when snow plowing has been completed but the roads are still closed to vehicles and only bikes are allowed. There is no way to know what day(s) “bikes only” will take place and it is not guaranteed there will even be any “bikes only” days. It all depends on the snowfall that accumulated during the winter, how long it takes to plow and if there are additional road repairs that need to be done.
This makes planning a bit tricky, so below are some tips to help you navigate taking advantage of this unique opportunity.
(Note: This information is meant to be a guide. I am sharing what has worked for me in the past.)
Step 1
Monitor the plowing progress and road updates

There are two sections, one for Tioga Road and one for Glacier Point Road. At the top of each section, you will see the date the page was last updated. This is where they will post updates as they make progress, and if there will be “bikes only” days, that info will be added here.
(I say “if” because there have been years in the past in which “bikes only” days did not happen, because they opened the roads to cars as soon as plowing was completed.)
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road will have different opening dates. Glacier Point Road typically opens first and then Tioga Road will usually be a few weeks later. You can see past opening dates here.

Important Note!
The roads are closed to bicycles until officially announced on this page. Do not attempt to ride these roads while they are closed to both cyclists and vehicles.
Step 2
Getting into Yosemite National Park

Once the announcement has been made on the official Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Plowing and Road Opening Update webpage, now it’s time to make a plan to get into the park and to the start of the ride.
Depending on the month and the day of the week, an Entrance Reservation may be required to drive into the park (to get to the start of the ride). Information on if/when you need a reservation and how to obtain one can be found here.

Getting an Entrance Reservation last minute can be a challenge, and you may find that you are unable to secure one for “bikes only” days. There are a few other ways to get into the park if you can’t get an Entrance Reservation.
1.
In the past, the Entrance Reservation was required when entering the park between the hours of 5:00 am and 4:00 pm, so you may be able to drive into the park before or after these hours.
Important notes:
They are very strict about the 5:00 am cutoff, so even if you’re there at 5:01 am, they will not let you in.
Many people will be ready to drive in at 4:00 pm so expect a long wait. This will cut into the daylight hours you’ll have to ride so plan accordingly. 
2.
If you have a lodging reservation (camping or hotel) within the park, this will also serve as your Entrance Reservation. This can also be a challenge to secure, especially on weekends, but keep checking as cancellations do happen and you might be able to score a spot last minute.
You can learn more about lodging in the park here. 
3.
Ride your bike into the park. I have never done this, but it is possible. This option will add on more miles and there will be traffic on the roads until you reach the closed road section.
Step 3
Enjoy the ride without cars!

Both Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are out and back routes with a good amount of elevation.

Glacier Point Road
I park at the corner of Wawona Rd and Glacier Point Rd, here.
From this parking spot, it is about 16 miles one-way to Glacier Point, which is a dead-end. Be sure to walk your bike to the overlook, and enjoy the incredible views without any of the usual crowds!
Route details can be found here: https://cyclingjenny.com/glacier-point 

Tioga Road
I park just past Tuolumne Grove, here.
From this parking spot, it’s about 45 miles one-way to the Tioga Pass Entrance, so go as far as you like and then turn around and head back. The most I have gone is 20 miles one-way (40 miles round trip).
Route details can be found here: https://cyclingjenny.com/tioga-pass
Important Reminders

Remember, there is no way to know what day(s) “bikes only” will take place and it is not guaranteed there will even be any “bikes only” days. It all depends on the snowfall that accumulated during the winter, how long it takes them to plow and if there are additional road repairs that need to be done. There have been years in the past in which no “bikes only” days occurred because they opened the road to cars as soon as they finished plowing.

Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road will have different “bikes only” dates. Glacier Point Road will typically open first and then Tioga Road will open a few weeks later.

Although the roads will be closed to cars, official park vehicles and personnel will be on the roads, so it’s important to look out for any work vehicles or equipment on the road.

There are no services available while the roads are closed to cars, so plan to carry all the food and hydration you will need during your ride and remember to leave no trace.

You will need to pay a park entrance fee to enter the park (whether by car, bike or foot).

Yosemite is a very popular National Park, so expect crowds and try to enter the park early in the morning to avoid long lines at the entrance gate.

I am sharing what has worked for me in the past and this information is meant to be a guide. Every year is a little different and with the current park staffing shortages, details may change without much warning.
This page was last updated on April 27, 2025
cyclingjenny.com aims to provide content that is true and accurate as of the date of writing; however, the accuracy and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. cyclingjenny.com and its associates are in no way liable for personal injury, loss or damage to personal property, or any other such situation that should occur to individuals following the guides, routes and recommendations. Please review the full Terms & Disclaimer.
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