Biking trails take you through amazing scenery and have always been an integral part of the landscape for outdoor enthusiasts. They can meander through forests, across open grasslands, travel over rolling hills or drift through scenic valleys. Scenic recreation isn’t the only benefit to taking bike trails through state parks. Exercise is important to our health and well-being, and biking is some essential exercise that keeps us well and strong. Below are some parks with bike trails that you can enjoy.
Backbone State Park, Iowa
Iowa’s first state park offers some wonderful scenery and lovely trails for bicyclists to enjoy. Plan to explore the designated trails in Backbone State Park. Try the Bluebird Trail, Barred Owl Trail, East Lake and West Lake Trail for biking through some amazing scenic beauty. If you want to hop off your bike and walk and explore, there are over 2,000 acres with numerous tree species, including old windblown cedars. Check out the dam on the Maquoketa River which creates Backbone Lake. You can also take a break from biking to climb the staircase to one of the highest points in Iowa, the “Devil’s Backbone.” If you are really adventurous, you can start biking the Northeast State Park Bike Route of which Backbone State Park is a part. There are 130 miles of riding trail through three state parks utilizing county highways.
Douthat State Park, Virginia
South central Virginia boasts some of the most beautiful Appalachian settings, and here you will find Douthat State Park, just an hour north of Roanoke. With 43 miles of mountain biking trails you will find adventure as well as enjoy a scenic interlude in the Alleghany Mountains. Take the Heron Run Trail, which hugs the 50-acre lake — a very picturesque ride. Head up from Stony Run to the Tuscarora Overlook. It’s a steep climb but so worth the view. Douthat is one of the original state parks in Virginia and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Breathtaking mountain scenery will have you at your most relaxed and glad you came.
Crooked River State Park, Georgia
If you love the idea of riding along the Intracoastal Waterway, then Crooked River State Park is the place for you to bike. Here on the southern tip of the state, you will see the famous Spanish moss hanging from the oaks, pass along the tidal river and experience many different types of wildlife in the forest and salt marsh. Birdwatching is a favorite activity here. There are five miles of trails which are flat and easy to maneuver. Likely the best one for biking is the Palmetto Trail. Riders aged 15 and under must wear a helmet. (Note: The Sempervirens Trail has too many roots and is not an easily navigated trail on a bike.) If you get a chance, go see the nearby ruins of the McIntosh Sugarworks, a Civil War-era factory.
Recommended for you: Enjoying Responsible Recreation in State Parks
Clinton State Park, Kansas
Both road and mountain biking are options at beautiful Clinton State Park. Situated on the north shore of Clinton Lake, this park has 1500 acres with a 25-mile hiking/biking trail that is well marked. The natural beauty of the bountiful prairie grasses and the abundant wildlife will keep you enthralled as you move through the park on your bike. You will even discover a specialized mountain bike skills course to test your abilities. This recreation area was developed specifically to provide a variety of outdoor activities for the surrounding communities. You will see biking as one of the top activities to enjoy here.
Abilene State Park, Texas
You must experience Abilene State Park in the best way possible — on a bike, riding the trails through brush land, prairie grass and wooded valleys. Bring a camera as you will want to stop for a break and shoot some photos of wildlife you happen to see, such as a raccoon, armadillo or fox. Watch the birds visit the lake shore and flit through the juniper, elm and Texas red oak trees. You’ll see hummingbirds and greater roadrunners and be able to only listen to the mockingbirds sitting out of sight in the branches. It will definitely be a biking trip to remember.
Curt Gowdy State Park, Wyoming
Rich landscapes invite you to take advantage of the outdoor biking adventure in Curt Gowdy State Park. This park was established in 1971, named after the sportscaster Curt Gowdy. And so, this park does offer sports of many varieties. Best of all, the Laramie Mountains offer beautiful views. You’ve come to do some biking, so ride around the Granite, Crystal and North Crow Reservoirs on the 35 miles of trails that connect them. This is truly a superior biking park with four different mountain bike play areas and a mountain bike skill area. In fact, the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) awarded the designation of Epic to this park’s trail system. Of course, you can count on this to mean a quality bike riding experience.
Ponderosa State Park, Idaho
Ponderosa State Park is located at the heart of one of Idaho’s favorite tourist destinations, Payette Lake near McCall. The park is on a peninsula of 1,000 acres that juts out into the lake and offers scenic overlooks. At Ponderosa State Park you can bike on wide single-tracked trails that range from paved to dirt and enjoy the majestic Ponderosa pines. As you ride, you may catch a glimpse of moose, bald eagles or deer. The spring brings you many wildflowers. It will be a biking experience long to be remembered.
Fontainebleau State Park, Louisiana
In St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Fontainebleau State Park sits on 2,800 acres on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. An old railroad track runs through the park and has been taken by the Rails to Trails program and created into an ideal route for bike riding. Plan to enjoy the natural landscapes as you bike through and are enclosed on three sides by water; Bayou Cane, Bayou Castine and of course, lovely Lake Pontchartrain. Bird lovers will find many species of birds to view as this park is one of their favorite habitats. Fontainebleau State Park used to be a sugar cane plantation and you can still visit the brick ruins of the 1869 sugar mill.
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.