North America is the ultimate playground for motorbike touring. Vast highways, towering mountains and cowboy towns make it unlike anywhere else on earth. From Canada’s Icefields Parkway to Yellowstone’s geysers, these are journeys where the road is as unforgettable as the destinations. This guide highlights the top five experiences every rider should know about, along with tips on gear, insurance and border paperwork. Whether you want to plan your own Canada motorcycle holiday or join a guided Celtic Horizon tour, here is everything you need to get started.
Why Ride North America on a Motorcycle?
Driving across North America by car can be impressive, but on a motorcycle, it becomes unforgettable. You feel the air shift as you climb mountain passes, smell the sweet pine of Canadian forests, and hear the crunch of gravel as you pull into a roadside diner for coffee. The sheer scale of the landscape makes sense when experienced from the saddle.
For Irish riders, this is a chance to go far beyond European roads. The Rockies and Yellowstone deliver mileage that is hard to imagine back home, with days covering 250 to 300 miles across mountains, valleys and national parks. The challenge is part of the appeal, but so are the practical questions. What gear do you pack? How do you insure a rented Harley? Where can you cross the border? This guide covers all of it while also showing how Celtic Horizon Tours can remove the stress.
1. Riding the Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies are the jewel of any North American motorcycle tour. The Icefields Parkway, a 230-kilometre stretch linking Jasper and Banff, is often ranked among the world’s top ten rides.
- Highlights: Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, Jasper village.
- Experience on two wheels: Riding past turquoise lakes with towering glaciers on both sides, pulling over at roadside viewpoints, and watching mountain goats scramble up rocky ledges.
Pro tip for riders: Even in July, temperatures can drop close to freezing at altitude. Layered clothing and waterproofs are essential.
Food stop to try: Patricia Street Deli in Jasper, known for fresh sandwiches and soups, is a perfect quick refuel before tackling the Icefields Parkway.
Accommodation in Banff and Jasper is limited in peak season, which makes guided tours particularly valuable. With a package, you are not left scrambling for overpriced last-minute rooms.
2. Yellowstone Motorcycle Trip
Yellowstone is not only America’s first national park but also one of its most dramatic. On two wheels, you are immersed in its raw beauty in a way car travellers never are.
- Highlights: Old Faithful erupting every 90 minutes, the multi-coloured terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, and Yellowstone Falls.
- Experience on two wheels: Riding through valleys where bison roam freely, pulling over to feel the spray from waterfalls, and smelling the sulphur rising from geothermal pools.
Wildlife reality: You may need to stop your bike for a herd of elk or bison crossing the road. Always keep a distance and avoid revving near animals.
Food stop to try: Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone offers hearty meals inside the park. Nothing beats sitting down to hot chilli after a damp morning ride.
On guided Celtic Horizon tours, hotels near park entrances are pre-booked. This matters because Yellowstone accommodation sells out months in advance.
3. The Beartooth Highway
Ask American riders about their dream road, and most will mention the Beartooth Highway. At 3,337 metres above sea level, this twisting pass between Montana and Wyoming is pure motorcycling bliss.
- Highlights: Endless switchbacks, high alpine lakes, Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
- Experience on two wheels: The temperature drops instantly as you climb, wildflowers bloom in the short summer season, and snowbanks linger beside the road even in July.
Pro tip for riders: This road usually only opens from late May until mid-October. Always check closures with the Montana Department of Transportation before setting out.
Food stop to try: Red Lodge, at the eastern end of the pass, is a welcoming town where you can grab a steak and craft beer after conquering the mountain.
Guided groups often tackle the Beartooth together, stopping for photos at summit points and descending slowly to enjoy the views. It is a road best shared with others.
4. Cowboy Country: Cody and Jackson Hole
Motorcycle touring in North America is not only about landscapes but also about the towns you roll into at the end of the day. Cody and Jackson Hole are two standouts.
- Cody, Wyoming: Founded by Buffalo Bill, it is home to the Buffalo Bill Centre of the West and summer rodeos. Imagine parking your bike on the main street and walking into a rodeo arena where the smell of horses and barbecue fills the air.
- Jackson Hole: A blend of cowboy culture and luxury. Wooden sidewalks lead to galleries, bars and restaurants. The famous elk chili at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is a rite of passage.
Pro tip for riders: Both towns are packed in July and August, so advance booking is essential. Guided tours make this effortless.
These towns add flavour to the trip, offering a cultural dimension that balances long riding days.
5. Crossing Borders: Canada to the USA
One of the most distinctive aspects of a Canada to Yellowstone trip is crossing the border between Canada and the United States. As an international rider, your process requires specific preparation:
- Documents are Key: Always have your valid Irish passport ready, along with your ESTA (for US entry) and eTA (for Canadian entry), even when crossing by land.
- The Motorcycle: If you’ve rented, ensure you have the vehicle registration/title documents provided by the rental company; these prove the bike can legally cross.
- The Procedure: Approach the booth with your helmet off and sunglasses removed. Turn off the engine—a loud exhaust is not a good introduction. Answer all questions truthfully and directly; be prepared to state your route (e.g., “Banff to Yellowstone”) and the value of any purchases you’re bringing across.
- Anticipate Delays: Crossings can take 30 to 60 minutes at peak times, especially mid-day in summer. Riders often describe the small thrill of watching the signs switch from kilometres to miles per hour, but the bigger satisfaction comes from a smooth, prepared crossing.
- Pro Tip: Border guards are also looking for restricted items. Declare any food, alcohol, or tobacco. If you are on a Celtic Horizon guided tour, your guide handles the overall group documentation and can provide advice on avoiding common hold-ups.
When is the Best Time to Tour North America?
The sweet spot for this route is mid-June to mid-September.
- June and July: Long daylight hours, active wildlife, lush scenery.
- August: Dry roads and warm weather, although parks are crowded.
- September: Fewer tourists, golden autumn colours, cooler evenings.
Spring and late autumn carry risks of snow blocking mountain passes. The Beartooth Highway, in particular, can close suddenly, even in summer storms.
What Does it Cost?
If you plan your own Canada to Yellowstone ride:
- Bike rental: €100 to €150 per day.
- Fuel: €30 to €50 per day.
- Hotels: €120 to €200 per night.
- Park entry fees: €30 to €50 per park.
- Insurance add-ons: €20 to €25 per day.
- Flights from Dublin: €600 to €900 return.
That adds up to €6,000 to €8,000 per rider for a two-week trip, not including meals or emergencies.
Celtic Horizon Tours offers packages starting at €6,529 per person. These include hotels, bike rental, insurance upgrades, national park fees, and a support van. For Irish riders, paying in euros means avoiding nasty surprises from fluctuating exchange rates.
Final Thoughts: Why Join a Guided Tour?
Motorbike travel is about freedom, but freedom is sweeter without stress. Planning your own ride means juggling hotel bookings, insurance fine print, border paperwork and road closures.
Celtic Horizon Tours handles all of that for you. Aer Lingus flights, late-model Harley or BMW rentals, insurance, support vehicles, and hand-picked hotels are included. You still get the raw experience of the open road, the smell of pine after a storm, and the laughter of fellow riders in a mountain town bar, but without the logistical burden.
Ready to ride North America without the stress?
Info verified October 2025
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