8 hrSelf-GuidedBike Rentals Near Glacier National Park
E-bikes and gravel bikes from our shop at 7309 Hwy 2 E in Columbia Falls, with a helmet, local route advice and a shuttle into the park.
Two bikes, one shop, and the park a short drive away. The Aventon Pace e-bike is the one most guests take up Going-to-the-Sun Road and along the paved paths of the Flathead Valley. The Poseidon X gravel bike is for the North Fork Road, Hungry Horse Reservoir and the Forest Service roads that thread the Flathead National Forest.
Pick up and return during shop hours, by 5:00 pm, or 8:00 am to 7:00 pm from May 15. Every rental includes a helmet and route advice from people who ride these roads every week. Send your dates and we confirm by email.
8 hrSelf-Guided
Self-GuidedWhich Bike Is Right for You
Aventon Pace E-Bike
Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Gateway to Glacier Trail, Hungry Horse Reservoir's paved miles and the Great Northern Historical Trail.
500W motor, four assist modes, up to 20 mph, about 60 miles per charge, an upright riding position and a cushioned saddle.
Poseidon X Gen 3 Gravel Bike
The North Fork Road to Polebridge, the gravel around Hungry Horse Reservoir and the Forest Service network. It rolls well on pavement too.
Aluminum frame, a simple 1x drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, Maxxis 700x40c gravel tires and flared drop bars.
The gravel bike is a great choice if you would rather ride Going-to-the-Sun Road under your own power than on an e-bike. Earn those views!
Pickup, Return and Delivery
- Pick up at our shop, 7309 Hwy 2 E in Columbia Falls. Pick up and return during shop hours; rentals come back by 5:00 pm. From May 15, when Going-to-the-Sun Road opens, rental hours run 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- Every rental includes a helmet, and helmets are required on every ride.
- We can drop bikes at lodging in Columbia Falls, West Glacier, Hungry Horse and Kalispell. Ask when you book.
- Bringing your own vehicle? We offer a limited number of hitch carriers and tailgate pads; see the transport guidelines below before you plan to carry an e-bike.
- Riding with young children? Ask about the Aventon Abound, a cargo e-bike with a second seat, in limited supply.
Getting Into Glacier National Park
To ride Going-to-the-Sun Road, book our bike shuttle separately. It leaves the shop at 11:00 am, drops you at the Avalanche Lake trailhead and brings you back to the shop in the afternoon. Bring your own park pass; passes are not included, and a fee is charged for every bicycle entering the park.
E-bikes are allowed on the park's roads when the motor is under 750 watts and runs only while you pedal, which the Pace is. Using the throttle in the park is illegal and can bring fines and a drained battery, so ride on pedal assist there. Once the road is fully open to cars, the park closes the Apgar to Logan Pass section to bikes for part of each afternoon through late September; check the park's bicycling page for this year's hours.
The car-free weeks in spring, the distances from Avalanche to Logan Pass and what to bring are all in our guide: Biking Going-to-the-Sun Road.
8 hrSelf-GuidedE-Bike Transportation and Transport Guidelines
We also offer bike shuttles for the Gateway to Glacier Trail, Inside the North Fork and Hungry Horse Reservoir. Contact us to secure your bike shuttle for these routes.
- Weight and Vehicle Compatibility: E-bikes are much heavier than standard bicycles. Most rental SUVs are not suitable for carrying heavy e-bikes unless they have a 2 inch hitch receiver. We strongly recommend a pickup truck or our transportation service. We offer a limited number of hitch carriers if your vehicle is compatible.
- Equipment Fleet: We do not offer foldable e-bikes.
- Safety Policy: To keep guests safe and prevent equipment damage, we reserve the right to decline a rental release if a secure, proper transportation method is not provided.
Contact us to arrange transport or talk through the best way to get your bikes to the trail.
Where to Ride From the Shop
Gateway to Glacier Trail
A fully paved path beside Highway 2, up to 12.6 miles one way, ending at the park entrance in West Glacier. Flat and separated from the road; watch for gravel at road crossings and yield to pedestrians. Ride straight from the shop, or we can shuttle you past the first section for $15 per person.
Hungry Horse Reservoir
The west side road is paved for the first 11 miles along the water, deep in the Flathead National Forest, with gravel beyond for the gravel bike. You share the road with vehicles towing boats, there is no cell service and wildlife is active, so carry bear spray. Drop-off at the junction of Highway 2 and Reservoir Road, $15 per person.
Swan Range Country Roads
Rolling backroads right behind the shop with big views of the Swan Range and Columbia Mountain, in loops of 5 to 15 or more miles. These are active county roads without bike lanes, so ride single file and watch for local traffic. No shuttle needed.
Great Northern Historical Trail
22 miles of smooth, flat, paved trail built over old railway lines. Ride south from Kalispell to the shore of Flathead Lake at Somers, roughly 10 miles one way, or west toward Kila. You carry the bike to Kalispell.
North Fork Road to Polebridge
The classic gravel ride: 30 miles of gravel along the North Fork Flathead River to the Polebridge Mercantile, mostly flat with rolling sections. A full-day adventure, about a 30 minute drive to the start.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
From the Avalanche Lake trailhead the road climbs past The Loop and the Weeping Wall toward Logan Pass. Take our 11:00 am shuttle in, or carry the bike yourself. Bring your park pass.
- Gateway to Glacier Trail
- Hungry Horse Reservoir
- Camas Road
- Inside North Fork Road
- Going-to-the-Sun Road, Avalanche to Logan Pass
- Our shop, 7309 Hwy 2 E
Every route with its photos is on Where to Ride Your Rental Bike.
Prefer a Guide?
Guided e-bike tours of Glacier run daily April through October; check our calendar to see which tour is in season. Every tour includes a trained guide, lunch, equipment, transportation and all the views you can take in.
Good to Know
- How do I book a bike?
- Use the Contact button on the e-bike or gravel bike page to send your dates, how many riders and where you are staying. We confirm by email. You can also call the shop.
- When can I pick up and return the bike?
- Pick up and return during shop hours; rentals come back by 5:00 pm. From May 15, when Going-to-the-Sun Road opens, rental hours run 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Late returns carry a late fee, and the bike comes back in the condition it left.
- Is a helmet included?
- Yes, with every rental, and it is required on every ride.
- Do you deliver bikes to where we are staying?
- Yes. We can drop bikes at lodging in Columbia Falls, West Glacier, Hungry Horse and Kalispell. Ask when you book.
- How do I get the bike into Glacier National Park?
- Book our bike shuttle separately: it leaves the shop at 11:00 am and drops you at the Avalanche Lake trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun Road, then brings you back in the afternoon. Or carry the bike yourself with one of our hitch carriers if your vehicle has a 2 inch hitch receiver.
- Are e-bikes allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road?
- Yes. The park allows e-bikes with a motor under 750 watts that runs only while you pedal. The Pace's 500W motor qualifies. Using the throttle in the park is illegal, so ride on pedal assist there.
- Is a park pass included?
- No. Bring your own Glacier National Park pass or buy one at the entrance. The park charges an entry fee for bicycles too.
- Which bike for a first-timer?
- The e-bike. Its torque sensor matches your pedaling, so the harder you pedal the more it helps, and the climbs stop being the point. The gravel bike suits regular cyclists who want dirt roads.
- How far does the e-bike go on a charge?
- About 60 miles per charge at up to 20 mph. The round trip from Avalanche to Logan Pass is 31 miles with a long climb, so most riders finish with range to spare if they ride on the lower assist modes going up.
- Can my kids ride?
- Riders 13 and up ride their own adult bike. For younger children ask about the Aventon Abound, a cargo e-bike with a second seat, which we keep in limited supply.
- What should I bring?
- Comfortable clothing, a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen and layers; mountain weather changes fast and the top of the road can feel like a different season. On the gravel routes, bear spray and offline maps, since cell service is limited off the highways.
- What about winter?
- From November through March the guided snowshoe tour and the winter driving tour are the trips you can book online. For bikes, send your dates and we tell you what is running.
- Can I rent for several days?
- Yes. Send your dates and we quote the days you want.
Your Next Ride Starts Here
Pick a date and see everything you can book, or call the shop and talk to someone who rides these roads every week.