Road Trips Let us know where you've been on your Harley, the best places to visit on a bike, etc.

Need Tips On Riding Out West

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 15, 2015 | 11:31 PM
  #11  
2AMGuy's Avatar
2AMGuy
Seasoned HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Influencer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Default

We've covered a lot of that area at least four times.
I'd recommend traveling between mid-June and mid-August or be prepared for the possibility of snow.
Cooler temps in the higher elevation is normal so take your leathers and be prepared for cooler temps.
 
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2015 | 11:59 PM
  #12  
5150northrider's Avatar
5150northrider
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,573
Likes: 210
From: Montana
Default

As far as the ride over the bear tooth goes i would leave Cody in time to eat a early lunch in cook city (the garlic burgers are really good) then ride over the bear tooth into red lodge. Better chance at finding someplace to stay for the night that won't break the bank
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2015 | 08:26 AM
  #13  
Mikey 1450's Avatar
Mikey 1450
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 33
From: Acworth
Default

From Sturgis, I would recommend stopping by Devils Tower. Then, once you get down to Gillette, take hwy 14/16 - 14w instead of I90 (nice ride) .to Sheridan Wy. From Sheridan, take 14 to alt 14 (A14) over the Bighorn range towards Cody . From Cody take Chief Joseph (296) to Beartooth, Beartooth east to Redlodge, Beartooth is good going both directions so you will enjoy the ride back over the pass to Cooke City, then Silvergate, then into the NW entrance (Tower Jct) Yellowstone NP. Yellowstone is HUGE you can easily spend more than day looking around. ( Old Faithfull geyser, Yellowstone INN, Yellowstone Falls, Buffalo herds, etc. )
If you have the time, the Grand Tetons mtns are just south of Yellowstone, a trip thru the Teton NP using the park road is recommended. Just south of the Tetons is Jackson Wy. (some call it Jackson Hole) which is another place that's intesting if you have never seen it before, (Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, the square with the elk antler's, etc).
I hope this helps, that area is great riding.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2015 | 08:16 PM
  #14  
Colorido's Avatar
Colorido
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
Default

Originally Posted by Mikey 1450
From Sturgis, I would recommend stopping by Devils Tower. Then, once you get down to Gillette, take hwy 14/16 - 14w instead of I90 (nice ride) .to Sheridan Wy. From Sheridan, take 14 to alt 14 (A14) over the Bighorn range towards Cody . From Cody take Chief Joseph (296) to Beartooth, Beartooth east to Redlodge, Beartooth is good going both directions so you will enjoy the ride back over the pass to Cooke City, then Silvergate, then into the NW entrance (Tower Jct) Yellowstone NP. Yellowstone is HUGE you can easily spend more than day looking around. ( Old Faithfull geyser, Yellowstone INN, Yellowstone Falls, Buffalo herds, etc. )
If you have the time, the Grand Tetons mtns are just south of Yellowstone, a trip thru the Teton NP using the park road is recommended. Just south of the Tetons is Jackson Wy. (some call it Jackson Hole) which is another place that's intesting if you have never seen it before, (Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, the square with the elk antler's, etc).
I hope this helps, that area is great riding.
This right here.

The bighorn range is beautiful riding with almost NO ONE around. The range doesn't last long but it's a great break from the monotony of the grasslands before you hit the eastern edge of the Yellowstone caldera area.

Stay the night in Cody then head up Chief Joseph and double track on Beartooth before heading into the park. Then I would suggest enjoying the wildlife herds, checking out Tower Falls, and then riding to Mammoth Hot Springs and checking that out. If you're tired, look for lodging just outside of the north entrance. If you're not that tired you can push on to West Yellowstone where the lodging options are more plentiful. Then you can hit up the stretch from West entrance to Old Faithful. This is where the majority of the park traffic is and the majority of the "sights" to see. Grand Prismatic Spring is a must-see, so is Excelsior Geyser...even if it hsn't erupted in like 80 years. You can also easily spend 2-5 hours at the Old Faithful geyser basin...2 miles of numerous active geysers, both small and large with 3 or 4 that they can predict. Grand Geyser is awesome if you can catch it...but it was only going off once every 12-14 hours when I was there this past august. Old Faithful and one of the others are under 2 hours between eruptions. Many of the small ones will just be going off as you walk by.

East Yellowstone area around fishing bridge and the lake is pretty, but gets congested with a lot of traffic due to those foreigners stopping to take pictures of the grasshoppers...and every single buffalo they see...and there are over 1000 in the park... If you're short on time, I'd skip that area and just head south towards Jackson and the Tetons over the Rockefeller Memorial parkway. But if you do have time, the ride to and from the park to Cody was probably my favorite riding in the Yellowstone area...better than Beartooth imo...but my opinion is from the perspective of someone who rides in Colorado year round so i'm a bit spoiled when it comes to high mountain passes .

Like someone else said, the best riding is generally outside of the park. The park itself is mostly the flat lands inside the super caldera and all of the cool, nerdy but beautiful geothermal activity that goes on there.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2015 | 10:44 AM
  #15  
Vernal's Avatar
Vernal
Club Member
10 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,682
Likes: 8,414
From: Utah
Riders Club Member
Default

My wife and I ride Yellowstone at least once a year. This year we rode there in late July and October. We like to stay in Cody and enter the park through the East entrance. It's a nice twisty road once you get in the park. Past Fishing Bridge we take a right and follow the Yellowstone river towards Canyon Village. We continue north towards Roosevelt Lodge then take the Lamar Valley road to the Northeast entrance. Ride the Beartooth to Red Lodge and get some lunch, then ride the Beartooth back up and return to Cody on the Sunlight Basin aka Chief Joseph highway.
If you can find lodging in the park it will afford you more time to explore the area. The little cabins at Canyon and Lake areas are affordable and we stayed once in the motel at Grant Village.
If you stay in Cody visit Pat O'Hara Brewing Company for dinner, you won't be disappointed.
Have a great trip
Bill
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2015 | 01:18 PM
  #16  
slhanks4's Avatar
slhanks4
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
Default

From the Rocky Mountains west, you almost can't pick a bad road for riding in this part of the country. Just keep in mind that civilization can be sparse in places like Wyoming and Montana and keep an eye on your fuel gauge.

If you can swing it, time-wise...go south from Yellowstone and check out southern Utah. The scenery will amaze you, you will not regret it.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2015 | 05:33 PM
  #17  
skidder's Avatar
skidder
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,566
Likes: 85
From: Calgary
Default

You may as well cross into Canada seein as you'll be so close...nice mountains to see and your cash will be worth 30 cents more on the US dollar.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2015 | 09:37 PM
  #18  
jmorganroadglide's Avatar
jmorganroadglide
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
Default

I would also mention that a really good pair of binoculars is good to have in Yellowstone. This will allow you to possibly observe some wolves. They need to be a nice pair because the wolves don't exactly like people.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 29, 2015 | 11:31 PM
  #19  
scarin's Avatar
scarin
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: arizona
Default

Coming down off of Bear Tooth which is a fun ride, even in the ivy rain like it was when I did it after Sturgis this year, you end up in Cooke City, great little town, Stayed at the Cooke City Apline 2x nice rooms and reasonable and just up the street is a great little restaruant, cant remember the name but it has outdoor seating and big flowerpots. Food has always been really good.

If you have the time I would highly recommend shooting up to Missoula and taking the 12 over to Lewiston. One of the most beautiful stretches of road I have ridden and lots of great twisties. It is 130 miles along the river. Here is a timelapse video of my run.
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2016 | 09:14 PM
  #20  
JeremyHagen68's Avatar
JeremyHagen68
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,835
Likes: 269
From: Center, ND
Default

Originally Posted by Mikey 1450
From Sturgis, I would recommend stopping by Devils Tower. Then, once you get down to Gillette, take hwy 14/16 - 14w instead of I90 (nice ride) .to Sheridan Wy. From Sheridan, take 14 to alt 14 (A14) over the Bighorn range towards Cody . From Cody take Chief Joseph (296) to Beartooth, Beartooth east to Redlodge, Beartooth is good going both directions so you will enjoy the ride back over the pass to Cooke City, then Silvergate, then into the NW entrance (Tower Jct) Yellowstone NP. Yellowstone is HUGE you can easily spend more than day looking around. ( Old Faithfull geyser, Yellowstone INN, Yellowstone Falls, Buffalo herds, etc. )
If you have the time, the Grand Tetons mtns are just south of Yellowstone, a trip thru the Teton NP using the park road is recommended. Just south of the Tetons is Jackson Wy. (some call it Jackson Hole) which is another place that's intesting if you have never seen it before, (Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, the square with the elk antler's, etc).
I hope this helps, that area is great riding.
We did that exact route last year but we came up out of the flaming gorge in Utah from the south to Jackson and so on. Guess it's the exact route in reverse. I would have to agree that it is an excellent route. The Virginian lodge in Jackson,Wyoming was a cheap great place to stay and was very motorcycle friendly for us. Nice little bar and grill next door to with great food and cold beverages.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:04 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE