20 best family bike paths in the USA!

Planning a spring or summer trip and looking for a ride fit for the entire family? You have landed in the right spot! These bike rides are perfect for both adults & kids alike! Whether you are planning a family trip or hoping to bring the kids out on a ride close to home, this article is perfect for you. 

Allen has put together 20 of our favorite bike routes that are guaranteed to provide happy memories for everyone. Each of these rides are shorter than 30 miles and have less than 1,500 feet of elevation gain - designed to be fun for almost any fitness level. They also are mapped along safer roads or bike paths, to help give parents ease of mind. Pack the bikes up, both big and small, and go see the sights! 

View Maps & GPS on the ALLEN KOMOOT COLLECTION >

North East: 

1. Boston Harbor 

To kick off this list, we have a greenway bike ride in the historic city of Boston, Massachusetts. This out-and-back ride is just under 11 miles and takes you along the Boston Harbor. This is a great summer ride for the family, as you can take in the sites and smells of the beautiful Boston waterfront. 

2. Exploring Boston 

Another fun ride in Boston is our “Explore Boston” loop. This is another out-and-back ride that takes you around all of Boston’s top spots, including places like Quincy Market, the New England Aquarium, and the Charles River Dam. This route is just under 15 miles and takes place almost entirely on cycle paths, making it a safe and fun way to explore all that Boston has to offer. 

3. Burlington bike path and Island Line Trail 

Next up is our longest ride on this article, coming in at 29.9 miles. This ride takes you all around the bike paths of Burlington, Vermont. You will start at Overlook Park, which provides beautiful views of Lake Champlain, and then ride all along the Burlington waterfront until you hit the Island Line Trail, a unique gravel trail that takes you over the lake. This is an out-and-back ride, but there is lots of beautiful scenery to see and places to stop along the way. On the way back, you can check out the Ben & Jerry’s in town and try your hand at their infamous “Vermonster!” This ride is best done in the summer and is one you do not want to miss.

4. Central Park 

New York City is a popular travel destination for many. While you are there, we recommend renting a bike and doing a tour of Central Park! To bike the entire loop of the park is 7 miles and you will get beautiful tree-lined skyline views the entire way. On the route, you can stop by some highlights such as the gift shop or the John Lennon memorial. Although the park can get fairly crowded in the afternoon, there is no bad time to do this ride. 

5. Bike the length of manhattan 

Another fun ride to try while visiting NYC is one that takes you up the entire length of Manhattan. You can choose to do this from top to bottom or bottom to top, but either way you will get to ride along the Hudson River Greenway and West Side Highway, catching lots of beautiful sites along the way. This ride is almost 100% protected greenway/cycleway, making it the perfect outdoor adventure for families. Plus, there are almost no hills! 

6. Frazer Creek Greenway 

Our last ride in the northeast region is a loop at Acadia National Park in Maine! This loop has some really beautiful views and stops by the scenic Frazer Point picnic spot, so you and your family can enjoy lunch with a view. This 11 mile route also features 

South East: 

7. Greenway biking in Orlando 

Orlando is home to many exciting and fun family activities: Disney, Seaworld, Universal, and biking! You may not know it, but Orlando has lots of beautiful greenways and cycling paths that we recommend checking out if you have time in the area. We have put together a 16 mile ride that is nearly 100% on protected paths and stops by some lesser-known highlights of the Orlando area, such as Lake Susannah, Baldwin Park, and Lake Baldwin. This route ends at the Baldwin Park Pool, so you can take a swim if you’d like! 

8. Boca Grande Bike Tour 

Boca Grande is a quaint and small town located on the Golf Coast of Florida. It is the idyllic vacation spot for families. We’ve put together a 13 mile ride all along Boca Grande’s greenways, which take you through the beautiful town as well as the white sand beaches nearby. Another thing that’s great about this ride - it has 0 elevation gain! 

9. Shark Valley, Everglades

If you want to bike around a National Park and see some alligators, you should visit Shark Valley in Everglades National Park. Shark Valley, despite its name, has no sharks. This 15 mile cycling path instead offers lots of alligators and crocodiles. You can rent bikes from the visitors’ center at the entrance, or you can park and ride your own bikes. This is a fun afternoon activity for adults and kids, and we recommend checking it out. Take an airboat ride in the morning and then hop on a bike in the afternoon! 

10. Matheson Hammock 

If you are looking for a short ride, we recommend checking out Matheson Hammock in Coral Gables, Florida. This natural atoll is easily accessible via bike, and a round trip ride is only 8.87 miles with 25 feet of elevation gain. Park your car near the University of Miami, or take the Miami Metro there, and then head off! Ride under the giant banyan trees on Old Cutler Road and ogle at some miniature mansions in Coral Gables before you make your way to Matheson Hammock Beach. Spend a day at the beach, or just walk around the park, before heading back. We think that this is the best way to visit Matheson Hammock - this way you don’t have to pay for parking! 

11. Zoo Miami & Black Creek Dam Trail 

Zoo Miami is a must-see on your visit to Miami. Why not pair your trip to the zoo with a bike riding adventure? Starting and ending at the zoo, we have put together a 24 mile ride that takes you through some of the sites of Miami’s suburbs, including the Black Creek Trail, a gravel path with lots of great scenery. We recommend doing this ride earlier in the morning, before the Zoo opens, so that you can avoid some of the peak Miami traffic while also maximizing your time at the zoo! 

12.Asheville’s Art District Greenway 

Moving away from Florida, Asheville, North Carolina has some excellent routes to explore as well. One in particular that is great for families is the greenway located in Asheville’s River Arts District. The route we have put together allows you to explore the entire greenway and is the perfect ride for families or for those looking for only a casual ride. The route spans 8.64 miles and climbs a mere 75 feet - a low number you will not see again in this mountainous region. This beautiful ride takes you along the French Broad River and ends near Asheville’s iconic White Duck Taco Truck. 

13. Cades Cove Loop 

Also in the western NC region, we are sharing the Cades Cove Loop. This 9.17 mile ride is for everyone. Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this short ride not only is historic and scenic but also has bike rentals available! It is a great way to explore this beautiful national park.

14. Exploring Charleston, WV 

There are two other major US National Parks located in the southeast. One of these is New River Gorge, our newest national park. This is a great park to visit with families, as there are lots of fun activities to do such as white water rafting and hiking. Some of the mountain biking in the area can be tricky for kids, however, so we recommend taking a day trip to nearby Charleston, West Virginia, which has lots of cool biking and exploring of its own to offer. We’ve put together a 7 mile ride in Charleston where you can ride with your kids. 

15. Exploring Luray, VA 

The final rideable US National Park in the southeast is Shenandoah, located in Virginia. Just like with New River Gorge, lots of the riding in Shenandoah is too tricky, technical, or dangerous for families. Because of this, we made a ride that explores the nearby town of Luray, VA. Luray is a quaint small town in the mountains of Virginia that is also home to a famous cave system! Check out the area and this bike ride for lots of family fun. 

West: 

16. Route of the Hiawatha 

Moving into our final region, the wide west! First in this area is the famous “Route of the Hiawatha” located in northern Idaho. This is a scenic gravel ride that is best done in the late spring and summer. This is a 15 mile one-way journey, but local bike shops and adventure centers offer shuttles between the two ends, to help ease your stress. 

17. Glacier NP Picnic spot 

Only a few hours from the Idaho border lies the iconic Glacier National Park. While cycling in the park is typically limited to those with lots of training, you can catch a relaxed family ride near the entrance of the park. There is a 10 mile loop that starts at the entrance of the park and allows you to stop at the Visitor’s Center and have an idyllic family picnic at the Fish Creek Picnic Area. 

18. Grand Canyon NP village greenway 

Another famous and popular National Park in the Western US is the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon National Park is well known for its views, hiking, and mountain biking. However, you can also find a relaxing and fun greenway ride in Grand Canyon’s Village. This nearly 20 mile ride is mostly out-and-back, but allows you to catch some of the best views available in the Grand Canyon as well as check out the visitors’ center.

19. San Diego Bayshore Bikeway 

Looking away from the mountains to the sunny California beaches, there is a salty and stunning ride along the shores of San Diego. The Bayshore Bikeway is a 24 mile loop with scenic ocean views and a ferry crossing for a little extra adventure. This is a great & flat ride to do with friends or family if you are in the area! 

20. Big Bear Lake 

Our final ride on this list is also in California: Big Bear Lake. This 15 mile ride takes place in the hills adjacent to downtown LA. However, unlike the many other mountainous rides in the region, this ride has only 550 feet of elevation gain and takes you on a scenic and family-friendly loop around Big Bear Lake. There are plenty of gift shops and cute restaurants to stop at along the way, making it the perfect day-trip getaway! 

We hope this list is helpful in planning your next adventure and that everyone is able to #getoutthere during your spring or summer break this year! 

You can find the maps and more information about each of these rides in our corresponding Komoot collection.