Guided Bicycle Tours CUA

 

Overview

This CUA authorizes guided bicycle tours with visits to facilities and services. Participants may also walk on trails less than a one-half mile from trailheads or roadways, and on boardwalks and developed areas.

General Provisions

Definitions:

Tour events—Tour events are the total number of tours an operator is authorized to provide in the park per day. Tour providers are authorized to provide no more than three tour events per day with no more than 15 clients per event.

Riding Groups—Individual riding groups in a tour event. All tour events must consist of dispersed riding groups that are no more than six participants (including at least 1 guide).

1. Bicycle tours are permitted only on improved public road segments, parking areas, and routes. Improved road segments are generally areas that have a paved road shoulder.
2. The following road segments are currently approved for commercial bicycle tours: (additional roadways may be added to the list as road improvements are made).
   1. West Entrance to Madison Junction
   2. Madison Junction to Old Faithful
   3. Old Faithful to West Thumb Junction (continuing south to Grant Village)
   4. West Thumb Junction to Fishing Bridge Junction
   5. Fishing Bridge Junction to the East Entrance
   6. Fishing Bridge Junction to Canyon Junction
   7. Canyon Junction (including the North and South Rim Drives) to Norris Junction
   8. Norris to Madison Junction

Operational Requirements

3. CUA holders are limited to 30 clients per day. Operators may provide no more than three tour events per day, with a maximum of 15 clients per event.
   1. Tour events must be dispersed at least 60 minutes apart.
   2. Members of separate tour events must be dispersed and may not congregate on boardwalks, pullouts, trails, or trailheads.
   3. Participants in each tour event must be divided into riding groups of six people or less, including guides, while riding on paved road segments.
   4. Each tour event must have at least one guide.
4. Each separate riding group must have one guide per group.
   1. While riding on paved road segments, there must be one guide for every five clients in a riding group and groups must be dispersed with a minimum distance of one-half mile between groups.
   2. Guided tours conducted on park approved administrative roads and existing trails, not on paved road segments, may have a maximum group size of 15 clients, excluding guides.
5. Commercial bicycle tours are permitted on the bike trails listed on the park’s website at Bike in the Park.
   1. Bicycles are prohibited on all boardwalks and backcountry trails. The CUA holder must comply with the information provided at Bike in the Park.
   2. Commercial bicycle tours may be permitted on park roads in the spring and fall while roads are closed to motorized, public travel. Please see the website for more information, current conditions, etc.: Bike in the Park.
6. Cyclist must ride single file, on the right-hand side of the road and to the right of the fog line when possible. Riding bicycles abreast on a public park roadway is prohibited. Cyclists must pull completely off the roadway when stopping.
7. Riders must use pullouts to allow faster vehicles to pass. Impeding traffic or causing unnecessary delays in traffic is prohibited.
8. Bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules and regulations as automobiles.
9. The park does not allow support vehicles to immediately precede or immediately follow bicyclists. However, one vehicle will be allowed to pull off into designated parking areas and pullouts to provide water and relief to participants only during seasons when roads are open to vehicular traffic.
10. Camping is authorized in designated front-country campgrounds. Overnight backcountry use is not authorized under this CUA. Food storage laws apply while camping and while hiking when bikes are left unattended. Trash must be carried out if trash receptacles are not available.
11. The CUA holder is responsible for ensuring that all clients are safely equipped and properly clothed prior to the trip.
12. Clients under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult while biking in the park.

 

Equipment

13. All guides and clients are required to wear a bicycle helmet that meets the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission found at: https://www.cpsc.gov/Business-Manufacturing/Business-Guidance/Bicycle-Helmets/.
14. Guides must wear a reflective vest or clothing. The park also strongly recommends wearing high visibility clothing for clients.
15. Bicycles must use flashing lights on the front and rear of the bicycle when tours are conducted on roads accessible to vehicles. Park roads are narrow and winding with few shoulders.
16. Class one and three e-bikes are allowed when the rider is pedaling in Yellowstone National Park where traditional bicycles are allowed.
    1. E-Bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited.
    2. The motor may not be used to propel an e-bike without the rider also pedaling.
    3. E-bikes must be self-sustaining. Charging for e-bikes is not available in the park.
17. The use of two wheeled bike trailers is not authorized on paved roads open to vehicular traffic. Single wheeled trailers are authorized on paved roadways.
18. Each guide must carry:
    1. A road map for the area of their trip and have basic knowledge of map reading.
    2. A minimum of one can of bear spray and be trained in its use.
       1. Guide's bear spray must be accessible such as on a waist belt or shoulder harness.
       2. Bear spray for clients is strongly recommended.

 

How to Apply for This Activity

1. Apply for a 2025 CUA through the CUA Online Application and Reporting System (COARS).
2. To view tutorials on how to apply for a CUA using COARS please visit: How to Apply for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) Permit.
3. 2024 permit holders, please visit Annual Reports and Management Fees to complete and submit reports and pay fees (due by January 31, 2025).
4. For proposed commercial operations taking place prior to December 31, 2024, please contact the Commercial Services Office at [e-mail] for application materials.

 

Resources

Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs)
Main CUA page Apply for a CUA FAQs CUA Annual Reports Guide Info Registration and Park Entry Protocol	CUA Law and Policy CUA Denial and Revocation Policy Special Use Permits Backcountry Permits Special Park Conditions
Plan Your Tour	Learn About the Park
Park roads Accessibility Bear Management Areas Fishing Regulations Boating Regulations	Superintendent's Compendium Vital Signs Reports Resources for Commercial Guides Resources and Issues Handbook Foundation Document