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5 Bike Paths Your Family Will Love

South of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, VA

By Jenny Sites June 1, 2023

Does your family love to ride bikes but you're tired of the same old places?  Here's a list of fun places for your family to bike this summer:


1) Belle Isle State Park (Lancaster, VA) 

  • Enjoy the wetlands by bike when you pedal down the variety of bike paths here, including paved paths and gravel paths.  Be sure to bring your camera to capture the beautiful water views.
  • Bicycle rentals: available at the rental building
  • Public restrooms are available at the park.
  • Make it educational with this Belle Isle Jr. Ranger Handbook or Bingo


2) Virginia Capital Trail  

  • This trail is a 52-mile-long paved path! It connects Richmond, VA to Williamsburg, VA.  Since this is a long trail, we suggest checking out this printable map to decide the best place for your family to start and finish the trail! If you love to bike, take the VCT challenge and cover the entire trail this summer
  • Bike Rentals: Bikes can be rented from the James City County Marina
  • Transportation: Amtrak and The Pulse are both options for transportation for you and your bike.
  • Make it educational with a stop in Jamestown or Williamsburg.


3) The Newport News Parkway

  • This park offers both a 5-mile mountain bike trail and a 5-mile bike trail. While you're there you can also take advantage of the disc golf course, ropes course, and 30-miles of hiking trails.
  • Bike Rentals: Available at the park's campground office.
  • Public Restrooms are available in the park
  • Make it educational by stopping by the "Battle of Dam No 1" which is located inside the park (and is also one of the stops on the VA Civil War Trails Tour)


4) Dismal Swamp Trail

  • This trail is about 8 miles long and allows you to ride beside the canal and catch a view of some exciting wildlife. 
  • There is a public restroom along the path.
  • Make it educational with a stop at the Chesapeake Arboretum.


5) Virginia Beach Boardwalk 

  • This a great place to ride your bike, complete with bike lanes so that you don't have to compete with crowds on busy days.  The boardwalk includes a variety of shops and restaurants along with a gorgeous view! 
  • Bike rentals are offered here and there are public restrooms along the path.
  • Make it educational with a trip to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center