Best Kid Friendly New Jersey Bike Trails

Biking is fun for the whole family

Biking is a leisure sport that adults and kids can do together. It's great exercise for getting those lungs moving. Depending on your riding experience, sticking to paved bike trails or pathways is a good option.

Always use caution when riding your bicycle and be aware of your surroundings. Just like driving, pedal your bike on the right except when passing. Be on the lookout for people, dogs, road obstacles, and especially other bike riders. New Jersey law requires all children under 17 years old to wear a bike helmet.

Here are some family friendly biking trails in New Jersey and surrounding areas. Perfect for a day trip. These trails are wide enough and long enough to provide a good biking experience for kids of all ages.

Biking at Sandy Hook

At Sandy Hook, you can ride your bicycle on approximately 8 miles of a paved multi-use pathway, which runs from the entrance of Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area to the ferry at Fort Hancock. Miles to explore as you ride your way through scenic beaches, greenery, Sandy Hook Lighthouse, and a fort. Entrance: 128 South Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ or Route 36, Highlands

D&R Canal from Lambertville NJ to New Hope PA

About 7 miles one way from Lambertville to New Hope along the Delaware Raritan Towpath trail. 14 miles for a round trip. You will be biking alongside the Delaware River. It’s a loose gravel dirt trail, so a mountain bike or hybrid bicycle is best. Cross a small bridge and you’ll enter New Hope where you can stop by for lunch or a quick snack. The entire D&R Towpath expands to almost 70 miles with other loops to explore. Park your car in Lambertville.

Saddle River County Park Bike Path

Located in Bergen County New Jersey, the Saddle River County Park bike path is a multi-use pathway and is approximately 6 miles long. The trail spans from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park. You can bike along the trails, passing by towns of Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Paramus, and Saddle Brook. Along the way, peddle pass 3 ponds, including the Wild Duck Pond Area.

Multiple Entrances: East Ridgewood Ave in Ridgewood NJ, Dunkerhook Rd in Paramus NJ, Alan Avenue in Glen Rock NJ, 40 Railroad Ave in Rochelle Park, NJ.

Liberty State Park Pathway

Nice 3 mile paved bike trail in the heart of Jersey City. The Liberty State Park Pathway is perfect for all skill levels. Enjoy waterfront views of the NYC skyline, Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor, Ferry Boats, and the Hudson River. Not to mention the abundance of wildlife, birds, and nature. Entrance: Liberty State Park, Turnpike Exit 14B, Follow directions to Audrey Zapp Drive.

Hoboken Waterfront Walkway

Bike along Hoboken’s waterfront from the path ferry terminal up to 14th Street. If you’re up to it, go beyond and bike to Lincoln Harbor Ferry, Edgewater, and Fort Lee. Parts of the northern pathway may not be continuous. The pathway is wide in most places. Look around and check out the wonderful views of New York City buildings and skyscrapers. Entrance: by Path Terminal

Henry Hudson Trail in Monmouth County

The Henry Hudson Trail is a paved flat 10 foot wide 24 mile trail broken up into two sections. The 12 mile North section spans from Aberdeen to the Highlands and the 4 mile South section goes through Freehold to Marlboro, then another 5 miles from Marlboro to Matawan. This multi-use trail is on the site of a former railroad with scenic views of nature, including fields, streams, and wetlands. Multiple Entrances: Atlantic Highlands at Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center Rt 36, Marlboro at Big Brook Park, Arberdeen at Gerard Ave.

Loantaka Brook Reservation

Nearly 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails in the park makes Loantaka Brook Reservation easy for cycling. The mostly shaded flat paved multi-use trail is good for children and beginner bikers. Natural wooded setting along Loantaka Brook and crossing sections of Morris Township, Chatham Township, Madison and Harding. Because this park is popular, it can be busy on the weekends. Entrance: 468 South St, Morristown NJ.

Union Transportation Trail

Rail-trail ideal for hikers, walkers, and bicyclists. Union Transportation Trail is nine miles long, the first 2 miles are gravel. This trail was once the Pemberton & Hightstown Railroad. While biking, take in the vista views, rural scenery, trestle bridges, and greenery. Entrance: Ranger Station at Crosswicks Creek Park. Parking lots at 70 Herbert Rd in Upper Freehold, NJ or 314 Rt 539 in Upper Freehold, NJ.

Ocean City Boardwalk

Go biking on the boardwalk at Ocean City NJ. It’s family friendly and open from 5am to 12noon from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the off season, biking is allowed at any time, unless otherwise noted.

Noteworthy Biking Trails Beyond New Jersey

Biking on Governor’s Island

Fantastic family fun with 7 miles of gorgeous fun with NYC as the backdrop. Peddle your bike as you take in the historic sites, stunning views, and luscious landscape of Governor’s Island. Bring your own bike or rent one on Governor’s Island.

Getting to Governor’s Island - Ferries leaves from 2 New York City locations: Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street in Manhattan or seasonal ferries from Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook.

Manhattan Hudson River Greenway

Imagine biking for miles with NYC's Hudson River on one side and scenic views on the other. It's totally doable along the Hudson River Greenway. Its runs along the West side of Manhattan, from Dyckman Street in the north to Battery Park in the south. Miles and miles of bike trail mostly through Hudson River Park and Riverside Park, with many stops (parks, splash parks, Intrepid, The Little Park, Highline) along the way. Bring a bike lock so you can park and explore. Enter anywhere in between the Greenway.

East River Greenway

Go downtown and ride the East side of Manhattan, along the East River from 35th Street south to the financial district. It’s approximately 4 miles with great views. Head uptown and ride from the 63rd street to 120th street in upper Manhattan.

Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway

From Yonkers to White Plains, imagine biking for 13 miles round-trip or 7 miles one way on a wide paved parkway road in Westchester County. Try Bicycle Sundays on The Bronx River Parkway. You can always ride a much shorter distance depending on your stamina and energy. Biking on this parkway is super fun and enjoyable for kids and adults alike. From 10AM-2PM, you can ride on select May, June, and September Sundays. Entrance: Multiple entry points along the parkway with street parking. Or, Park at the County Center Lot in White Plains.

North County Trailway

Multi-use paved path in Westchester that is perfect for bicyclists. Total distance one way from Mount Pleasant to the Town of Somers is about 22.1 miles. Cycle part or all of the trail. Free of car traffic, this North County Trailway used to be part of the old New York Central Railroad. You can bike pass historical marker plaques along the way. Entrance: Multiple entry points, Eastview Park & Ride in Mount Pleasant, Briarcliff Public Library parking lot.

Randall's Island Park

Bike or walk on pathways along the waterfront at Randall's Island Park. These urban pathways are wide, paved, flat, free from cars, and scenic. Great for exercise and fun for all.