Cruise These Kid-Friendly Bike Trails in Metro Detroit

Take in some sweet views on these biking trails for kids around southeast Michigan.

Southeast Michigan has a prime array of green terrain for riders to be one with nature — and put rubber to the dirt road.

Plenty of parks host paved pathways that wind through picturesque landscapes. Whether your tot’s a beginner or you’re searching for a challenge for your older kiddos, one of these trails is sure to be a fit.

Grab a bicycle, check out these bike safety tips and shift into high gear for a summer of scenic exploration!

Looking for more things to do with kids? Check out our summer fun family guide!

This article was recently updated on May 14, 2024 by Metro Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on southeast Michigan bike trails for families. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@metroparent.com.

Kid-friendly Bike Trails in Macomb County

Clinton River Spillway Bike Path

A quickie but a goodie and a viable link to the Metro Parkway Trail and Metro Beach, this two-mile stretch passes through the woods parallel to the spillway between Velger Boat Harbor on Lake St. Clair and Shady Side Park in Mount Clemens.

Lake St. Clair Metropark

Just a short stint from Mount Clemens, take a relaxing ride on a three-mile paved hike/bike route with scenic sights of Lake St. Clair. Stop at the gazebo to check out Huron Point. At the entrance, the path even links to a trail that parallels Metro Parkway for easy access to the suburbs. Try your hand (and foot) at court sports and foot golf onsite at the park. Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45 annual pass that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

Macomb Orchard Trail

Take in a combination of urban and wooded beauty on this 24-mile linear trail that begins at 24 Mile Road and takes riders to the City of Richmond. An extensive 180-mile network of trails intersects with the MOT for riders looking to build endurance.

Metro Parkway Trail (Freedom Trail)

This “comfortably-wide,” 11-mile paved path parallels the Metropolitan Parkway through urban Macomb County. Find more scenic trails to the north and east where the route connects to the Clinton River Park Trail and the Clinton River Spillway Bike Path, respectively.

River Bends Park

This 5.1-mile route is flat but “flowing,” a cinch for veterans of the trail but a bit of an added push for newbies. Tackle the Dragstrip section, log piles and technical options for a challenge. Note: the trail can be muddy after a heavy rain.

Kid-friendly Bike Trails in Oakland County

Kid-friendly bike trails metro detroit
Photo credit: Oakland County Parks

Addison Oaks County Park

A compact 14 miles takes mountain bikers on a tipsy-turvy route in a thickly wooded area. Dirt paths give way to bridges over spring-fed streams. The MTB Project considers Addison Oaks one of southeast Michigan’s “best kept secrets” and notes the trail drains well after heavy rains.

Clinton River Trail

Part of a route planned to link Port Huron to South Haven, the Clinton River Trail connects the West Bloomfield and Macomb Orchard trails. Put rubber to the turf for 16 miles of partly-paved and limestone paths that wind along a former rail line that spans Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Rochester.

Huron Valley Rail Trail

Keep fit with this vast network of trails, from beginner to challenging routes totaling 25 miles. Take detours through Kensington Metropark in Milford, the James F. Atchison Memorial Park in Lyon Township and Lyon Oaks County Park in Wixom.

Indian Springs Metropark

Tour the wooded wetlands and green meadows and catch glimpses of the Huron River as you bike eight miles of paved path. The luckiest riders may spot a coyote or a red fox. And beware of the “challenging hill” that’s bound to try the legs of the littlest members of the family. Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40/annual pass that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

Kensington Metropark

Traverse “Michigan’s great outdoors” and bike the hilly and wooded terrain at this popular park. Keep an eye peeled for waterfowl and an array of activities and hotspots, including beaches with stunning sunsets, the Splash ‘n’ Blast, and disc golf. Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45/annual pass that access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

Lakeshore Park

Mountain bikers won’t be disappointed with this 10-mile trail that winds through a variety of terrain. For a family-friendly ride, the park also hosts an extensive network of wider routes. Note: No motor vehicles are permitted on park property.

Milford Trail

This 5.7-mile trafficked loop wraps through the woods and features a waterfall, bridges over rocky ravines, bypass lanes, wild flowers in the spring and summer, and kaleidoscopic foliage in the fall. Best used from March until November.

Paint Creek Trail

Michigan’s first non-motorized rail-to-trail offers bikers a picturesque 8.9-mile linear park, located in northeast Oakland County. The 8-foot wide route has three bike stops/parking spots and traverses through Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion with no shortage of striking nature scenes along the way.

Polly Ann Trail

Polly Ann Trail connects Orion Township, Oxford Township, Addison Township, the Village of Oxford and the Village of Leonard along a 14-mile stretch. The untouched landscape gives way to a number of public recreation spots along the way. Tip: Find restrooms at the Blanka Trailhead in Leonard.

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

Escape the hubbub of the city mere miles outside Pontiac at this recreation spot, featuring a 9-mile looped route fit for mountain bikers. Two miles in, pedal the main climb to seek your reward of a fast descent. At three miles in, you’ll get a great view of Pontiac Lake.

Shiawassee River Heritage Trail

Crossing an array of ponds, roads and boat launches, this trail features a number of stops for cyclists, too. Bike beside the river and keep an eye out for Blue Herons, Kingfishers and Sandhill cranes. Jaunt through Holly and Fenton to see historic buildings framed by wooded stretches.

Stony Creek Metropark

Here, cyclists interested in an easy ride can find six miles of paved pathway while their mountain-bike counterparts can hit 14 miles of hilly, heavily forested dirt terrain. Bike rentals are offered daily Memorial Day through Labor Day. Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45 annual pass that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

West Bloomfield Trail

Find two trailheads in West Bloomfield — one at Sylvan Manor Park, the other at West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve — introducing bikers to a seven-mile pathway. The 54-acre linear park offers picnic spots, bike racks and benches for when you need to take a breather.

Kid-friendly Bike Trails in Washtenaw County

Kid-friendly bike trails metro detroit
Photo credit: Huron Waterloo Pathways

Border to Border Trail

Traverse 35 miles of paved paths beside the Huron River, which winds through the scenic backcountry of Washtenaw County. Find recreation and river access, including Gallup Park in Ann Arbor and the Ford Lake Overlook in Ypsilanti Township. Distinct signage helps riders navigate the trails.

Hudson Mills Metropark

The park offers a 3-mile loop in the main part of the park for novices. Those feeling a bit more adventurous can take to the paved, 11.7 miles hike/bike trail beside the Huron River and traverse the woodlands. Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45 annual pass that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

Kid-friendly Bike Trails in Wayne County

Belle Isle Park

This 982-acre state park juts from the Detroit River. Pedal on the paved bike trail that circles the island. An $12 recreation pass is required for vehicles, but your admission includes free parking, the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the giant slide, aquarium and more. You can even throw on a swimsuit and dip into the river.

Corktown Bike Lanes

More than 16 miles of bike lanes connect Corktown and southwest Detroit as well as plenty of hotspots in between. Serious bikers can continue their cycle along the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Detroit Alternate, which winds through Detroit, around Lake St. Clair and beyond, with many historic sites along the way.

Detroit RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut Greenway

Check out the hustle and bustle by hitting paved routes along the scenic Detroit RiverFront. Bring or rent a bike and tackle The Dequindre Cut, a 1.15-mile shortcut fit for walking, jogging and biking. Hop on the Cut at Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue and Woodbridge Street. For more fun, refresh at the RiverWalk Cafe, Detroit RiverFront Playpark, Cullen Family Carousel and Mt. Elliott area splash feature. Bonus: Belle Isle is just a short bike ride from the riverfront.

Hines Park Trail

Hines Park’s paved trail spans more than 20 miles from Northville to Dearborn Heights. Popular among walkers, joggers and cyclists, the route begins near the Dearborn campus of the University of Michigan and continues northwest, parallel with the Middle Rouge River through several parks and intersects with the I-275 Metro Trail. Note: The low-lying land next to the Rouge River routinely floods after heavy rains.

I-275 Metro Trail

Open and receiving TLC since the 1970s, this trail covers 26 miles in Oakland and Wayne counties. Try out a variety of entry points for a new experience every time you ride. The paved path does skirt the expressway and cross main roads in spots. Eye on Michigan notes that most improvements are north of I-94. The I-275 Metro Trail intersects with the Hines Park Trail and uses part of the trail to cross the I-275/I-96 interchange.

Lower Huron Metropark

These 1,258 acres of green meadows and woodlands feature family activities aplenty, including golf, shoreline fishing, canoe launch spots and court sports. You can pedal from one to the other on the four-mile paved bike/hike trail. The older kids can burn some real steam by continuing on the route through Willow and Oakwoods Metroparks for a total 30-mile round trip! Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45 annual pass that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

Lower Rouge Recreation Trail

Canton residents, this one’s for you! This mixture of dirt and paved routes features two miles of smooth leisure riding and mountain biking on tougher terrain. This trail runs from Canton Center Road to Haggerty Road and connects Heritage Park and the I-275 Metro Trail — if you’re looking to extend your ride, another 33 miles await.

M-5 Metro Trail

Start at 13 Mile Road and pedal the two miles to 15 Mile Road. In the future, the trail will expand and turn into a six-mile route that will connect to the I-275 Metro Trail, a 30-mile path for real biking enthusiasts.

Maybury State Park

A green gem embedded in Northville Township, there are both leisurely trails and mountain biking trails.You can fish, admire wildlife, horseback ride or hike between jaunts. A $12 Michigan Recreation Passport required for each vehicle.

Oakwoods Metropark

The flat terrain and grassy meadows offer cyclists an easy three-mile ride. The interpretive trails offer pleasant views of the Huron River. Find voyageur canoe launch sites and an interactive nature center, too. This 1,756-acre park near Flat Rock continues on, connecting 12 more miles of paved hike/bike trails in Willow and Lower Huron metroparks (it all adds up to 30 miles of biking round trip!). Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45 annual pass that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.

Willow Metropark

Looking for a workout that doesn’t leave you wheezy? Discover this 4.5-mile paved bike path that winds through New Boston near I-275 and I-94. The flat route makes for a relaxing ride through woodlands, around the Washago Pond and stretches along the Huron River. For those looking to break a sweat, note the course connects to Lower Huron and Oakwoods metroparks for a 30-mile ride, roundtrip. Requires a $10/vehicle day pass or $40-$45/annual that allows access to all other 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks, too.


Follow Metro Parent on Instagram

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

LATEST STORIES

Light Up the Night at the Detroit Zoo’s Jack O’ Lantern Journey

See illuminated pumpkin displays, fall photo opportunities and more at this brand-new Halloween experience.

Does My Child Have Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Brought to you by The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation

These Are The 10 Top Suburbs to Raise a Family in Metro Detroit

Check out the top-ranked suburbs in Metro Detroit to raise a family, based on schools, safety, housing and family-friendly amenities.



- Advertisement -