Top 5 Family Mountain Biking Opportunities
5. Staunton State Park
Description:
Colorado's newest state park, Staunton, offers multiple easy-to-navigate, gravel-packed mountain bike trails. The most popular ride traverses Staunton Ranch, Bugling Elk Trail, and the Lions Back Trails. The loop is approximately 10.6 miles long in total, a relatively mellow start for the whole family! The shorter length doesn't mean a lack of exercise, though; Staunton is a mountain park, and all of its trails feature plenty of challenging up and down grades!
Directions:
Riding the Trail:
Park by the visitor center/entrance area and follow the signs for the trailhead. Start out on the Staunton Ranch Trail and follow it Northwest for a total of 3.4 miles before it joins up with the Bugling Elk Trail. The Bugling Elk Trail is moderate in difficulty but very obtainable. Follow the Bugling Elk Trail for 1.1 miles, at which point it becomes the Lion's Back Trail. The Lions Back Trail is a total of .9 miles and will mark the turn around point in the ride: after you hit the end of the Lion's Back Trail, turn around and head back the way you came for 5.3 miles.
Visit the
Staunton State Park webpage for current trail conditions.
4. Golden Bike Park
Description:
Golden Bike Park offers features to challenge every skill level, so each member of the family is entertained! Every feature also offers a rollover option, so riders have the option to bail out if they aren't comfortable with tackling it. The park is located in Tony Graupsas Park in Golden, CO.
Directions:
Riding the Trail:
There are five different biking trails to ride. They include: beginner line, intermediate line, advanced line, kids mini pump track, main pump track, and the climbing multi-directional trail. The climbing multi-directional trail supplies access to the various types of trails in the park and serves as a great starting point.
3. Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Description:
Cheyenne Mountain State Park offers a wide variety of gravel-packed mountain bike trail opportunities, with a total of 17 trails! With so many bike trails to choose from, there's something for each skill level at Cheyenne Mountain. Bikers of all ages can enjoy the views and wildflowers this unique park offers.
Directions:
Riding the Trail:
For youngsters and beginners, the Sundance or Acorn Alley trails are perfect for testing out early skills. The Coyote Run Trail offers families the most trail options and is conveniently located right next to the park's visitor center. Biking from the Coyote Run Trail to The Zook Loop provides access to trails like the Sundance and the Blackmere Loop, which reach to the western ends of the park. The Coyote Run Trail also provides access to the Soaring Kestral Trail, which leads to still more trails in the northern end of the park! Overall there are approximately 21 miles of usable biking trail in the park, and the numerous trail combinations keep each visit interesting.
Visit the
Cheyenne Mountain State Park page for current trail conditions.
2. Valmont Bike Park
Description:
Valmont Park is a 42 acre, natural surface cycling terrain park offering diverse mountain bike challenges. The wide variety of trails means skill-building opportunities for a suite of riding styles and abilities! Entrance to this park is free and open to the public daily, dawn to dusk.
Directions:
Riding the Trail:
This bike park is "ride at your own risk." Helmets and protective gear are strongly recommended. As weather and light conditions vary, so can the conditions in the park.
Description:
Lory State Park comes in at number one due to the great views of the Front Range, and for the vast amount of opportunity that the biking trails offer for families! The park features a stacked loop trail system, and routes vary in difficulty. Located just north of Horsetooth Reservoir, this park has approximately 20 miles of beautiful biking trails!
Directions:
Riding the Trail:
There are many hard-packed, natural surface trails throughout the park that can be accessed by the West Valley Trail. The trail is parallel with Horsetooth Reservoir and is great for beginners and families, or easy lake access. The route includes many opportunities to venture off onto other trails like Kimmons and Timber Trails.
The Timber Trail leads into campsites and the upper reaches of the park, all the way to the Westridge Trail. Kimmons, Timber, and Howard Trails afford great views, but novice riders should approach with caution. Adrenaline junkies will appreciate the technical rock gardens, water bars, and switchbacks.
Visit the Lory State Park page for current trail conditions.
Top 5 Family Paved Biking Opportunities
5. Lake Pueblo State Park
Description:
Lake Pueblo State Park features many paved trails that are easily accessible for those looking to take a quick, scenic ride around the park. The Pueblo Reservoir Trail circles around the reservoir, with options to head toward the northern or southern end of the park.
Directions:
Riding the Trails:
The trail begins near the Northshore Marina. It winds north in the park until it comes to a trail juncture, where riders turn right to be adjacent with Juniper Road. This trail leads east in the park all the way until the Rock Canyon area, where riders can either turn back or continue on the trail heading towards Pueblo.
The second trail to venture on starts in the Southshore marina and follows the Juniper road past the dam and fish hatchery. It then connects with the trail mentioned above, in Rock Canyon.
Visit the
Lake Pueblo page for current trail conditions.
4. Chatfield Reservoir State Park
Description:
Chatfield offers a series of paved trails that wind through the park, providing visitors with abundant vistas, numerous recreational opportunities, and links to regional trail systems.
Directions:
Riding the Trails:
A great family bike ride begins at the trailhead parking near the swim beach! Follow the signs to the Chatfield Internal Trail. The trail is paved and provides over 10 miles of easy riding opportunities. Regional trails like the C-470 bikeway and the Mary Carter Greenway link up to this route.
3. Cherry Creek State Park
Description:
Cherry Creek State Park is a jewel of nature in an urban environment. Bikers ride through grasslands, cottonwood trees, and marshes on paved trails. Wildlife is abundant in the park, so be on the lookout for sightings along the way!
Directions:
Riding the Trails:
Park at the swim beach and look for the signs to the Cherry Creek trail. By heading north along this easy, paved trail, link to the newly completed Dam Trail. The Dam Trail provides spectacular views of the entire reservoir!
Head south on the Cherry Creek trail and link to the park's wetland preserve, where you can view a wide variety of wildlife! The Cherry Creek Trail is a regional greenway extending north to Denver and south to Parker.
2. Ridgway State Park
Description:
Ridgway flaunts about 14 miles (3 miles of paved) of family-friendly trails! Take in the hustle of the campgrounds and the serenity of the reservoir on smooth biking trails. A family favorite is the trip from the park into the city of Ridgway, where there are plenty of beautiful places to picnic and fun places to eat and shop! The trip is about four miles each way and is conveniently biker friendly.
Directions:
Riding the Trails:
Start out inside Ridgway State Park at the Dallas Creek section and meander through the paved trails to take in all of the beautiful mountain scenery and exciting park activities! When you reach the Marmot Run trail, head southwest on the paved trail and follow signs for the city of Ridgway. Marmot Run passes a section of BLM land with two ponds, two 'rails to trails' pieces over trestles from the old rail road grade, and the Dennis Weaver memorial.
1. James M. Robb Colorado River State Park
Description:
There are multiple paved trails throughout the five sections of the state park, and tons of family biking opportunities in the Grand Junction area! A favorite of ours is the newly open Monument View section of the Colorado Riverfront trail. It connects the Fruita and Connected Lakes sections of James M Robb Colorado River State Park and offers 8 miles of gorgeous views of the Colorado National Monument. There is no shortage of entertainment in the form of wildlife and stunning rock formations! The wide trail and paved terrain makes it the perfect option for families, but please allow space for our bicycle commuters.
Directions:
Riding the Trails:
There are parking areas at both ends of the trail. Choose which area to start in (Connected Lakes or Fruita) and find the trail sign. Follow the simple, wide trail along the river and enjoy the ride!
