The Parks, Peaks, and Prairies Bicycle Route (PPP) is a new 1,287.7-mile bike route between West Yellowstone, MT, and Minneapolis, MN, connecting towns throughout the Midwest with some of the country’s most breathtaking open spaces. The route, planned and created by the Adventure Cycling Association, takes cyclists through Yellowstone National Park, Devils Tower National Monument, the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands of South Dakota.
Photo: Mendenhall Olga/Shutterstock
This New 1,300-Mile Bike Route Passes Through Some of the US’ Most Scenic Landscapes
The route is divided into three sections. The first starts in West Yellowstone and stretches through the national park near geothermal hot spots and waterfalls, and then continues into the Absaroka Range. It follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River to the Bighorn Basin, before ascending into the Bighorn Mountains. The highest point of the entire route is at the Powder River Pass, at 9,675 feet.
The second portion begins in Gillette, WY, going east along I-90. It passes near Devils Tower National Monument, and then continues into the Black Hills where the route merges with the George S. Mickelson Trail en route to Mount Rushmore. From there, you’ll head through the Badlands and eventually end up on the South Dakota highway.
The third section starts on the South Dakota highway lined with farmlands and lakes en route to Minneapolis. You’ll also cross the Minnesota, Cross, and Mississippi rivers.
Carla Majernik, director of routes and mapping for the Adventure Cycling Association, said in a statement, “While 2020 might not be the ideal time to ride the full Parks, Peaks, and Prairies route, it’s a great time to tackle smaller sections if you live nearby or plan for riding in 2021 and beyond.” 