Seasons
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Wyoming
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Wyoming is June through September. That's when the Beartooth, the Snowy Range, Medicine Wheel Passage and the park roads in Yellowstone and Grand Teton are open and the passes are mostly clear. Snow can still fall at elevation in any month, summer afternoons bring storms, and wind is part of every season, especially in the south. Here's the year, month by month and region by region.
- Core season
- June to September
- Park roads
- Spring to early November
- Watch for
- Snow at elevation, any month
- Wind
- Year-round, worst in the south
The short version
Wyoming rides high, so the season is short
Most of Wyoming sits above 4,000 feet, and the best roads climb to 9,000, 10,000 and nearly 11,000. Winter is long, and many of the high roads close outright from fall to late spring. That leaves roughly June through September when nearly everything is open. The Wyoming state guide covers the regions. This page is about timing.
Inside that window, July and August are the most dependable, and the busiest in the parks. Early September is the quiet sweet spot. June is green and beautiful but can still have snow on the passes and closed roads early in the month.
Month by month
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Wyoming, month by month
| Month | High country (Yellowstone, Tetons, Bighorns, Snowy Range) | Basins and plains (Cody, Casper, Cheyenne, I-80) |
|---|---|---|
| January | Snow. Seasonal roads closed | Cold, windy. Dry days only |
| February | Snow. Seasonal roads closed | Cold, windy |
| March | Snow | Cold, wind, spring storms |
| April | Snow. Yellowstone starts opening in stages | Cool. Rideable on calm days |
| May | Park roads opening. Beartooth usually late in the month | Good days between storms |
| June | Opening up. Snowbanks, cold nights | Prime. Green and breezy |
| July | Prime. Afternoon storms | Prime. Hot afternoons, storms |
| August | Prime. Afternoon storms, smoke possible | Prime. Sturgis traffic in the northeast |
| September | Very good. Elk season, early snow possible | Prime. Quieter roads |
| October | Beartooth usually closes mid-month | Cool. Hunting season |
| November | Park roads close. Snow | Cold, windy |
| December | Snow. Closed | Cold, windy |
General patterns, not a forecast. Snow can hit the passes in any month. Check the weather, WYDOT road conditions and the park sites before you ride.
Openings
When Wyoming's high roads open and close
Typical patterns, which change with each year's snow. Check WYDOT or the park before you go.
- Yellowstone: most park roads close to regular vehicles in early November and reopen in stages from mid-April to late May. The East Entrance from Cody usually opens in May.
- Grand Teton: the Teton Park Road closes to vehicles over winter, typically from November through April. US 191 along the east side stays open.
- Beartooth Highway (US 212): typically late May to mid-October, weather permitting.
- Closed in winter: the Snowy Range (WY 130), Medicine Wheel Passage (US 14A) and WY 70 over Battle Pass, usually opening in late May or June.
- Plowed but wintry: US 14 and US 16 over the Bighorns, Togwotee Pass and Teton Pass. Expect snow and ice outside summer.
Summer
Summer: storms, crowds and rally week
Thunderstorms build over the mountains most summer afternoons, with lightning, hail and sudden cold rain. Up on the Beartooth Plateau or the Snowy Range, you're the tallest thing around, so ride the high roads in the morning. Late summer can also bring wildfire smoke and fire closures.
July and August are peak season in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, with full lodges and long lines of stopped cars at every bison. Two big events change the roads too: Cheyenne Frontier Days in late July fills Cheyenne, and Sturgis rally week in early August floods northeast Wyoming around Devils Tower and Sundance. See Wyoming motorcycle events.
Fall
September: the quiet sweet spot
After Labor Day, the park crowds thin and the air turns crisp and clear. Aspens turn gold in the Tetons, the Bighorns and the Snowy Range, usually in mid to late September. It's also elk season in the parks, when bulls are active and on the move, so give them room and watch the shoulders at dawn and dusk.
The trade-off is weather. Early storms can put snow on any pass in September, and nights drop near or below freezing up high. By October, hunting season brings trucks and trailers to back roads, and the Beartooth usually closes around mid-month.
Every season
Wind: Wyoming's year-round hazard
Wind is part of riding Wyoming in every month. It's strongest in the south, along I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins and across the open basins, and worst in winter and spring. Gusts can push a loaded bike across a lane, and WYDOT regularly posts high-wind warnings and closes stretches to light, high-profile vehicles.
On a bike, take those warnings seriously. Check WYDOT before crossing southern Wyoming, ride early when winds are often lighter, keep a loose grip, and give trucks extra room. Mountain roads like the Snowy Range, Happy Jack Road and the Bighorn crossings are often more sheltered. The roads are in the best motorcycle roads in Wyoming.
By region
Best months to ride, by Wyoming region
| Region | Best months | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Cody, Yellowstone and the Beartooth | July to September | Snow up high any month, crowds |
| Jackson and Grand Teton | June to September | Wildlife, summer traffic |
| The Bighorns | June to September | Early and late snow, Sturgis traffic |
| Central (Wind River, Thermopolis) | May to October | Summer heat, storms |
| Southern Wyoming and the Snowy Range | July to September | Wind, winter closures |
| Northeast and Devils Tower | May to September | Rally week crowds |
Plan it
Plan your Wyoming season with Rippin'
- Weather alertsRippin' sends weather alerts before you ride, and riders flag hazards like gravel and construction on the map.
- Ride plansShare a ride card with departure time, route, stops and RSVPs, so the crew is over the Beartooth before the storms.
- AI trip plannerBuild a Cody, Yellowstone and Tetons loop with stops and pacing. Free has limits, and Plus is unlimited. See the AI ride planner.
- Passport stampsGet a stamp for every town you ride through, from Ten Sleep to Saratoga, and badges for places you've been. Both pay points.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best month to ride a motorcycle in Wyoming?
July is the most reliable, with every high road open. Early September is quieter and crisp, with aspen color later in the month, though snow is possible up high.
When does Yellowstone open to motorcycles?
Most park roads reopen to regular vehicles in stages from mid-April to late May and close in early November. Check the park's site for each entrance.
When does the Snowy Range Road open?
WY 130 over the Snowy Range closes for winter and usually opens in late May or June, depending on snow. Check WYDOT.
Can it snow in Wyoming in summer?
Yes, at elevation. Even in July, a passing cold front can leave snow on the Beartooth Plateau or the Bighorn passes. Pack real layers for every mountain day.
How windy is Wyoming on a motorcycle?
Very, especially in southern Wyoming along I-80 and across the open basins. Check WYDOT for high-wind warnings before you cross, and ride early.
When is the worst traffic in northeast Wyoming?
During Sturgis rally week in early August, when riders fill the roads around Devils Tower, Sundance and Hulett.
Make the summer count.
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