8 Best Family Friendly Mountain Bike Trails and Destinations in USA 

Mountain biking is one of the best sports and outdoor activities, and it isn’t just good food for older people but also for kids. But to enjoy Mtb riding along with your family members, you first need to find family-friendly mountain bike trails. 

But how will you identify if the trail is family-friendly or not? 

Well! You’ll need to look for a few things to determine its friendliness, such as it should have wide pathways, clear directional signs and difficulty ratings to help you navigate the area without getting lost, shorter loops, easy obstacles and features, safety, areas where you can stop and rest, such as benches, small clearings, etc. 

If a trail includes most of these things, which I have mentioned, you can ride there with your family members, such as your kids. 

However, to make your research easier, in this guide, we’ll discuss eight family-friendly mountain bike trails in the USA where you can go with kids and all other riders at different levels.

Also read: 27 Best Mountain biking Trails in USA

 

1. Bentonville Trails – Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville Trails – Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville Trails is also called the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World” because this trial has too much to offer for everyone, from beginners to advanced and from solo to families. 

So what are the good things available there?

The first thing that made it rank at the top position for families is its versatility; if you wish to ride with kids, then you can try All-American Trail (It’s smooth, flowy riding), and the Slaughter Pen is also a nice trail for beginners. 

One more thing that makes Bentonville Trails stand out is its perks. Most trails are located near parks, cafes, and family-friendly attractions, like the Crystal Bridges Museum. 

Besides this, the right time to visit this trail is spring and fall for mild weather and vibrant scenery.

 

2. Kingdom Trails – East Burke, Vermont

Kingdom Trails

Kingdom Trail is another popular network among all mtb riders. It’s famous for well-maintained trails, and many of them are family-friendly and also offer something for every skill level.

For example, the Kingdom trail network has The Easy Loop trail, which is perfect for younger riders, and for older kids, they have the Ridge Trail (it has gentle climbs and scenic views)

If we talk about the perks that you’ll get there, then you’ll get too many local shops, dining options, etc. However, you should consider visiting it in the summer. 

Also read: How find mountain bike trail near me (You) 

 

3. Shark Valley Trail – Everglades National Park, Florida

Shark Valley Trail

Shark Valley Trail is a 15-mile loop trail that is pretty easy to navigate. We can say it is one of the most scenic mountain bike trails out there. 

It is ideal for beginners and for those who want to go on a ride with family members, especially with kids. Besides simplicity, you’ll get to see wildlife. 

One thing that makes it a beautiful choice is the nearby airboat tours, and nature walks that provide more adventure. 

However, you can consider visiting it in the winter season, because in summer mosquitoes will also visit this trail, which you won’t like and neither will they.

 

4. Tahoe Rim Trail – Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

Tahoe Rim Trail

Tahoe Rim is one of the most iconic trails for families in the US. It is 165 miles long and has 8 segments, and each of them averages nearly 20 miles. 

One thing that makes this trail more beautiful is its surroundings (it surrounds a beautiful lake from all sides); plus, it’s suitable for all age groups so that you can go with your kid, too. 

Besides mountain biking, it’s also suitable for other outdoor activities, such as swimming, hiking, and paddleboarding (as I said, It’s near a lake. 

However, the best time to visit this beautiful trail is visiting with your family members in late spring through early fall.

Also read: Safety tips for a remote MTB trail ride

 

5. Snowmass Bike Park – Snowmass, Colorado

Snowmass Bike Park

Snowmass Bike Park, as the name suggests, is specially designed for mountain bikers and cyclists. 

The best thing why you should consider going with your family member is because they have a lift service available. This means you can enjoy MTB rides without the strenuous uphill climb.

If we talk about the trail difficulty level, then it’s preferred for beginners and kids, plus it’s also suitable for intermediate riders.

But what about perks? There are many family-friendly accommodations and outdoor activities available, such as zip-lining and alpine coasters. 

However, if you are considering visiting this trail with your family, I’d recommend you visit it in summer when the mountain is buzzing with activity.

 

6. Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails – Crosby, Minnesota

Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails

Cuyuna Lakes mountain bike trails are another beautiful destination for mtb riders. It is famous for its scenic red dirt trails. Plus, it’s very easy to ride, even for beginners. That’s why you can also take kids with you. 

If you specifically want to go with your family members, then I would suggest you visit the Sagamore Unit Trails. It’s great for families because it offers flat and easy trains. Plus it has beautiful lake views.

And, if we talk about location perks that you will get, then you can enjoy other outdoor activities, too. You can rent a kayak or paddle boards to explore the neighboring lake after a mountain bike ride. 

The best season to visit Siona Lake Mountain Bike Trail is late spring through fall.

 

7. McKenzie River Trail – Eugene, Oregon

McKenzie River Trail

If you are looking for a scenic mountain bike trail that you can visit with your family, then I would highly recommend you visit the McKenzie River trail. 

It has beautiful scenery and manageable terrain, which makes it a great option for those who want to enjoy an adventure with their family members. 

One thing that makes this trail more amazing is its lower section, which is quite smoother and easier. 

Plus, it has many places where you can stop and enjoy your time in the lush forest. 

If we talk about some perks, then you can visit nearby hot springs and waterfalls, which will make this destination unforgettable. 

However, the best time to visit the McKenzie River trail is summer and early fall, when the weather is suitable for riding there.

 

8. Big Bear Mountain Resort – Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Mountain Resort

Big Bear Mountain is another family-friendly trail that you can visit. Plus, they have lift-accessed trails available, which are beginner-friendly too. 

When you visit it with your family members, you can enjoy relaxation and adventure all together. 

On this trail network, I would suggest you visit Blue Jay Trail because it is easy to ride and have beautiful views. 

Besides this, if you have kids and you want to go with them, then I would suggest you explore the base area trails for younger kids

Other activities that you can also enjoy mountain biking are boating and fishing, as well as some beautiful, charming villages with dining and shopping options. 

However, the best time to visit Big Bear Mountain Resort is summer when the weather is sunny and trails are open.

 

Tips for a Successful Family Mountain Biking Adventure

Family friendly mountain biking trails

Here are a few important things that you need to consider when you’re going mountain biking with your family. 

Plan Ahead: 

There are many mountain biking trails in the USA, and we have discussed just eight that are suitable for a family trip. 

However, I want you to do a little research before visiting any trails, especially with family members, which includes kids. So you want to check the trail. It should be easy and marked green; read its reviews, etc. 

Plus, check the weather conditions and neighboring amenities for the best trip. You can use apps and websites like Trailforks and MTBproject to find more details about a specific trail, and these platforms will also help you find local trails.

 

Gear Up: 

It is very important to wear proper mountain biking gear for your and your family members’ safety. You must have the right helmet, gloves, and a bike that suits your skill level. 

There are different types of bikes, like full suspension and hardtail, etc. These essential gears will save you from many common mountain biking injuries.

 

Take Breaks: 

Mountain biking becomes more fun with family members when you take small breaks in between, and meanwhile, you enjoy the view, talk to each other, etc. But just talking won’t be enough. 

That’s why you should have some snacks and water too for more enjoyment. You can carry some energy bar, boiled chickpeas with a little salt, chili, tomato, onion, or something else like a sandwich, etc. 

You can’t miss these things, especially when you’re planning a whole day trip with family (staying energetic is too important)

 

Stay Flexible:

You want to be prepared for any uneven situation. For example, if somebody gets tired, you should be flexible enough to adjust your plan. 

Sometimes, the weather conditions might force you to change your plans, especially when you are planning to ride in mountain areas. However, you want to check the weather before the ride.

 

Make It Fun: 

When you are going for a mountain bike ride with your family, I suggest you not stick with this one sport. 

If you see other outdoor activities like pedal boarding or fishing, then you should grab it. You can play more games, spot wildlife, take beautiful group pictures, etc. All these things will make a family trip more enjoyable.

 

Final Thoughts

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors together with your family members. You just have to find the right trails, which are surrounded by beautiful views, easy to ride, and have some amenities available. 

For beginners, I’d suggest Bentonville, and if you’re fond of scenic trails, then I’d suggest Tahoe trails.

However, you want to check the weather and read the reviews before going to visit the trail. Besides this, you also want to check your bike to see if everything is fine or not, like the tire pressure, suspension setting, etc., to avoid any problem midway. 

And don’t forget to carry your gear, snacks, and water bottles. If you have all these things ready, then you can enjoy a mountain bike trip with your family.

 

What makes a mountain bike trail family-friendly?

There are many things that can help you determine whether the mountain bike trails are family-friendly or not. 

The first is that most family-friendly trails have fewer obstacles, such as there are not too big rocks and roads that you will need mountain biking skills to tackle. 

Besides this, family-friendly trails have more gentle slopes and less elevation change. 

Besides these, family-friendly trails are well-maintained; they have wider paths, plus amenities like restrooms, parking lots, etc. If you see all these things available near a trail, that means it’s a family-friendly one.

 

Where can I find family-friendly mountain biking destinations near me?

The easiest way to find a family-friendly mountain bike trail near you is to check trails on platforms like MTBProject, Trailforks, or AllTrials. 

These platforms have data and information on many trails suitable for bikers and hikers. So, based on your skill levels and preferences, you can find trails.

However, after finding a trail or a destination near you, you want to do research about that specific trail, such as knowing the weather conditions, the difficulty level, etc. 

Most family-friendly trails are marked “Green,” which indicates they are beginner-friendly, and you can even take your kids. 

Besides this, you can also check forms and websites or ask your other family members, friends, relatives, colleagues, etc.

 

What essential gear do we need for family mountain biking?

Safety is first for mountain bikers. That’s why you want to always wear a helmet to protect your head. Make sure it is properly fitted on your head.

Besides this, you can also carry a CO2 inflator to maintain the right pressure based on the trail and have a first aid kit that includes bandage to quickly apply after the crash; for more protection, you can even consider having elbow and knee pads, gloves, right shoes, etc. alongside with it, snacks for energy and water for hydration is equally important.

Also read: Pre Ride Checklist for mountin bikers 

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