Family Friendly Cycling Destinations in South Florida
With the surge of families cycling together we have picked the top family friendly cycling locations... stay safe, close to home! We have profiled each location with a GoPro video, tips and links for more information.
Make sure you check with the park before you go for any Covid-19 related closures.
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Gordon River Greenway
A family friendly scenic paved nature trail along the Gordon River in the heart of Naples.
Where: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road, Naples, FL 34108
Types of Riding: Paved and boardwalk bike paths. There is also an optional short non technical trail section.
General Size: Small, approximately 4 mile loop.
Technical Difficulty: 1-4
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Road, Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids.
Tips: The use is free. The Greenway shares the Naples Zoo parking lot. A complete loop of all the trails is approximately 4 miles, this is great for a short casual family outing, but not if you are seeking long 2+ hour ride.
Markham Park
Located in Sunrise at the edge of the everglades Markham Park offers many different cycling options. From easy bike paths, to technical mountain bike trails, even access to the gravel levee system.
Where: 16001 W. State Rd. 84 Sunrise, FL 33326
Types of Riding: Paved road and bike paths. Dedicated mountain bike trails, gravel levee trails.
General Size: The park is large and if you consider the levee system the potential for riding is huge.
Technical Difficulty: 1-10
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: This is very dependent on where you are riding. For the mountain bike park mountain bikes are needed. Mountain or gravel bikes for the levee. And any bike (kids too) is suitable for the bike paths and roads.
Tips: Facilities include bathrooms, camping, barbecues, dog park, play ground, shooting range and mountain bike area. You need a pass to ride in the dedicated mountain bike area ($25 annual or $5 daily) but not for other area of the park.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge is the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA. Known as one of the best bird watching locations in the world with 245 species of birds.
Where: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957
Types of Riding: Paved road and bike paths.
General Size: Medium, the minimum distance is 8 miles, one way 4 miles in park, and back via bike path 4 miles.
Technical Difficulty: 1
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Road, Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids.
Tips: Facilities include bathrooms and education center. $1 entry to park for cyclists, $5 per car. If entering by bike be prepared to ride 8 miles. Have plenty of water and wear sunscreen. Closed on Fridays.
SHARK VALLEY EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Shark Valley is truly unique. The paved trail winds across an open sawgrass prairie filled with spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. You can ride any type of bike from a beach cruiser to a road racer and its kid friendly. At the half way point, look for a huge observation tower – you can't miss it. Climbing to the stop is easy and offers incredible views of the surrounding wetland. Located about halfway between Naples and Miami.
Where: 36000 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194
Hours: Monday-Sunday 8:30AM - 6PM
General Size: Medium, 15 mile loop.
Types of Riding: Paved Bike Path
Technical Difficulty: 1
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Road, Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids.
Tips: There is a $35 fee per car. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Wear a helmet and pack a spare inner tube and inflator. Bring a camera to photograph scenery and wildlife.
Cecil B. Webb Wildlife Mgmt. Area
Enjoy miles and miles of hard-pack gravel roads suitable for a range of bike types. Conveniently located right off I75 in Punta Gorda.
Where: 29200 Tuckers Grade, Punta Gorda, FL 33955
Types of Riding: Mostly hard pack gravel roads, some paved roads.
General Size: Large, 30+ miles of trails
Technical Difficulty: 1-3
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids.
Tips: Parking is to the right after you enter. There is a rest room, but bring water and food as there are no concessions.
Route: An example of a 15 mile loop.
Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Loxahatchee is huge wildlife refuge, 7 miles west of Boynton Beach, encompassing over 200 square miles. Wildlife is abundant in it's diverse habitats of classic everglades, sawgrass ridges, tree islands, sloughs and cattail communities. Most of the refuge accessible by bike, is done on a system of berms and levees.
Where: 1026 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, Florida
General Size: Large, 30+ miles of trails.
Types of Riding: Mostly hard pack gravel.
Technical Difficulty: 2-4
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids.
Tips: Park entry fee is $10. Open 5AM -10 PM everyday. There are bathrooms and a visitors center. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen as there is little shade. Don't forget to bring a flat repair kit!
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
A pristine nature preserve along the Estero River and Bay suitable for cycling, running and hiking. There is a mix of trail surfaces. The majority of the trails are short cut grass but there is also gravel and some sections of sand. We recommend 1.5" tires and wider. Some of the trails get flooded over in the rainy season. Easy access only a mile from Rt. 41 in Estero.
Where: 4940 Broadway W, Estero, FL 33928
Types of Riding: Mostly grass (cut short) road, some gravel and some sand. There are a few more technical singeltrack connectors.
General Size: Medium, approximately 10 miles of trails.
Technical Difficulty: 2-7
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids.
Tips: Parking is to the right after you enter. There is a rest room, but no running water. Bring water, bug spray and a flat repair kit. During the rainy season some of the trails are not rideable.
Grassy Waters Preserve
Located 5 miles West of Palm Beach Gardens, Grassy Waters is offers 20 square miles and is beautiful mosaic system of wetlands, tree islands, and forested hammocks. Four out of the five trails at Grassy Waters are open to biking. With no specific trail direction, you can design your own ride with any length.
Where: 8537 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida
Types of Riding: Groomed trails.
General Size: Medium
Technical Difficulty: 2-6
(1=paved road, 10=Technical Single Track)
Types of Bikes: Gravel, hybrid, mountain bikes and kids with fatter tires.
Tips: The preserve is free and is open 7:30AM - 5:30 PM. Facilities include parking, restrooms and waters. Be sure to bring plenty of water for your ride and a flat repair kit.