New U.S. Bicycle Routes in UT and ID and updates in MN

May 26, 2015

Today we feature newly designated and realigned U.S. Bicycle Routes (USBR) officially adopted by AASHTO on May 14, 2015: Idaho with USBR 10, Utah with USBR 70 and 79, and Minnesota with USBR 45. Along with the excitement of the three new routes in the West, Minnesota will celebrate its newly signed route at the headwaters of the Mississippi River Trail with a celebratory ride and ribbon cutting.

You can see this growing network of bicycle routes, now at 8,992-miles, on the National Corridor Map.

Looking to enjoy these routes? Keep reading for all the details and find maps and other resources on our Maps and Route Resources page.  

U.S. Bicycle Route 10 in Idaho (137 miles with Alternates)

U.S. Bicycle Route 10 includes a sixty-six mile section that travels from Washington state's USBR 10 through northern Idaho to Montana using U.S. Highway 2, Idaho State Highway 200, and local routes. Along the way, the route parallels historic water paths in the Panhandle region and follows railroad beds established more than a century ago.

The route travels between the Bonner County communities of Oldtown and Sandpoint on U.S. 2, Sandpoint and Clark Fork on Idaho 200, and between Clark Fork and Heron, MT on River Road and Clark Fork Road.

Brian Shea, the Statewide Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator for the Idaho Transportation Department, said, “We are excited to share this new route which includes some of the most beautiful areas of our state with bicycle travelers who, in turn, will provide economic opportunities for our local businesses and communities.”

The route features services in Oldtown, Priest River, Dover, Sandpoint, Ponderay, Kootenai, Hope, East Hope, and Clark Fork such as restaurants, bike shops, lodging, campgrounds, grocery stores, and emergency services to accommodate the needs of touring cyclists. There are many scenic vistas and points of interest along the corridor as well as alternate routes and side trips aligning with or giving access to the growing trail system in Bonner County.

USBR 10 parallels historic water routes in the region, including the northerly bank of the Pend Oreille River between Newport, WA and Sandpoint, ID, the northerly and easterly shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille, and the south bank of the Clark Fork River into Montana. Albeni Falls Dam near Oldtown and Cabinet Gorge Dam near Clark Fork can be viewed and visited along the route. 

The route uses three Scenic Byways: the International Selkirk Loop, the Panhandle Historic River Passages State Scenic Byway, and the Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway.  

USBR 10 follows the Great Northern Railway bed between Oldtown and Sandpoint and the Northern Pacific Railway bed between Sandpoint and Montana, both established in the 1890s and in operation today as main rail freight corridors.  The railways opened up the Lake Pend Oreille area some 80 years after the early fur trader, David Thompson, established a trading post near what is now Clark Fork. 

The area is rich in trading, mining, timber, fishing, and tourism history. Many seasonal events occur throughout the area during the touring season ranging from farmers’ markets to cycling events at Schweitzer Mountain Resort to an August music celebration, The Festival at Sandpoint. Area businesses welcome touring cyclists and encourage travelers to enjoy the many features of Bonner County.

In endorsing the route, Bonner County’s Board of Commissioners stated, “We recognize that bicycle tourism is a growing industry in North America, contributing $47 billion a year to the economies of communities that provide facilities for such tourists. This community stands to benefit from this opportunity economically and from the health and environmental benefits of encouraging bicycle travel in our region.”

More information and a link to the map can be found on the ITD website. 

U.S. Bicycle Route 70 and 79 in Utah (782 miles)

U.S. Bicycle Routes 70 and 79 combine to create a transverse route across southern Utah that connects the Nevada and Colorado borders. 

USBR 79

The U.S. Bicycle Route 79 portion of this route travels 130 miles in a southeasterly direction through the high elevation desert of the Basin and Range Province, providing travelers with a unique scenic experience and unmatched solitude. The route follows paved, two-lane highways through a landscape dominated by sagebrush, piñon pine, and expansive views, and connects to Route 70 in Cedar City, where cyclists can access food, water, and bicycle shops.

USBR 70

The Route 70 portion of this route travels 450 miles through the unique red rock landscape of southern Utah, passing through sinuous canyon country, through high elevation pine forests in the Dixie National Forest, and crossing the Colorado River near Lake Powell. Route 70 also travels past Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, two of the crown jewels of Utah’s iconic “Big Five” parks. The red rock hoodoos at Bryce and the sprawling vistas at Capitol Reef are truly once in a lifetime sights that all travelers should have on their must-see list. This route follows paved, two-lane, county, state, and U.S. roads, which pass through small, rural towns that provide cyclists with the opportunity to re-supply with food and water.  

USBRS 70 and 79 offer cyclists the opportunity to experience Utah’s stunning red rock landscape and make these routes a truly unique part of the U.S. Bicycle Route network.

"The Utah Department of Transportation is pleased that the efforts of all of Utah's communities and transportation partners are being recognized with the approval of USBR 79 and USBR 70 in Utah," said Carlos Braceras, UDOT Executive Director. "In Utah we know that biking plays an important role in Keeping Utah Moving, which is helping drive our great quality of life and economy. National bike routes such as these play a significant role in providing active transportation options for the citizens of Utah and the rest of the United States."

For more information about bicycling in Utah, visit the UDOT website. 

U.S. Bicycle Route 45 realignment in Minnesota (26 miles added)

Originally designated in 2013, The Minnesota Department of Transportation has realigned U.S. Bicycle Route 45 to incorporate changes in coordination with the installation of guide signs along the entire route. 

The route, also known as the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), is now 26 miles longer and includes improvements such as: roadway realignments due to construction, improved shoulders on nearby roads, new bridges, opportunities to bring cyclists closer to the Mississippi River, and newly-built off-road paths and trails, which appeal to a broader bicycling audience. The route includes seven percent more off-road facilities, and incorporates long continuous sections of three state trails and numerous miles of regional and local paths.

“MnDOT worked with local communities and Department of Natural Resources partners since 2013 to identify sign locations,” said Tim Mitchell, Minnesota Department of Transportation bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. “In just a few years, our partners made many improvements worthy of a statewide realignment and we are pleased to incorporate them into a route that’s better, safer, and offers an even greater opportunity for adventure and cultural enrichment along one of the world’s great rivers.”

The MRT/USBR 45 connects existing shouldered highways, low-use roads and off-road paths for bicyclists to closely follow the Mississippi River from the headwaters at Itasca State Park to the Iowa border. The route begins where the Mississippi is just a small stream surrounded by towering white pines. It winds through forests and farm fields, passes through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and the National Park Service’s Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, and through charming, historic river towns. It offers challenging climbs in the limestone bluffs of southeastern Minnesota rewarded with long scenic views of the river valley. The route is sometimes on two sides of the river, offering a linear long distance bikeway along with opportunities for short loop rides if crossing from one side to another. 

Summer Celebrations

Two ribbon-cutting events and a bike ride will be held this summer to commemorate the project completion. The events will be Aug. 27 in Itasca State Park and Aug. 31 in St. Paul. They coincide with the inaugural eight-day, 470-mile “Headwaters to Hills” tour from Aug. 26 to Sept. 2.

“With the project completion, it’s time to recognize the partners’ accomplishments,” said Liz Walton, MRT/USBR 45 project manager. “Many MRT cities worked hard to encourage safe bicycling for both for residents and visitors alike and to invite them to enjoy the river and what their communities have to offer. The route celebrates the people, places, and stories that have made Minnesota communities great. What better way to experience all that than on a bike.”

Detailed route maps and other information are available on the MNDOT website. 

Idaho Photos by Jim Mellen | Utah photo 1 & 3 by Wolfgang Staudt on Flickr, 2 by Ken Lund on Flickr | Minnesota photos by Liz Walton

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM is posted by Ginny Sullivan and Saara Snow of the Travel Initiatives Department and focuses on news related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS).

The 2015 Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. Campaign runs through May 31, 2015. All donations are tax deductible and support Adventure Cycling's organizing efforts and technical assistance for the U.S. Bicycle Route System. The campaign is supported by Adventure Cycling members, bicycle industry partners, bicycle clubs, and cyclists across North America.

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