Looking for the best kid-friendly biking trails Detroit has to offer? Southeast Michigan is home to an incredible mix of scenic parks and paved pathways perfect for young riders and adventurous families alike.
Whether your toddler is just learning to pedal or your older kids are ready for a challenge, there’s a trail that fits every age and skill level. From peaceful riverfront rides to wooded trails with wildlife sightings, these biking spots let families connect with nature while staying active.
Read more: Explore the Best Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails Near Detroit for Every Season
Best kid-friendly biking trails in metro Detroit
Clinton River Spillway Bike Path
- Address: Shady Side Park, Barbara St. and Shadyside Drive, Mount Clemens
- Best for ages: All ages; ideal for young riders due to its short, flat 2-mile stretch
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
- Address: 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township
- Best for ages: All ages; suitable for beginners and families
Enjoy a scenic three-mile paved ride near Mount Clemens with views of Lake St. Clair and a stop at Huron Point. The trail connects to Metro Parkway and offers court sports and foot golf. A $10 day pass or $40–$45 annual pass covers all 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
Macomb Orchard Trail
- Address: Trailhead at 33 Mile Road, Romeo
- Best for ages: 10 and up
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)
- Address: Accessible via Metro Beach Metropark, 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township
- Best for ages: All ages
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.
Addison Oaks County Park
- Address: 480 W. Romeo Road, Leonard
- Best for ages: 8 and up
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.
Huron Valley Rail Trail
- Address: Trail access at 58000 Grand River Avenue, New Hudson
- Best for ages: All ages
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
- Address: 5100 Indian Trail, White Lake
- Best for ages: 6 and up
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
- Address: 4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford
- Best for ages: All ages
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.
Milford Trail
- Address: Trailhead at W. Commerce St. and Peters Road, Milford
- Best for ages: 8 and up
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
- Address: Southern terminus at 400 Sixth Street, Rochester
- Best for ages: All ages
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.
Stony Creek Metropark
- Address: 4300 Main Park Drive, Shelby Township
- Best for ages: All ages
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
- Address: Trailhead at 4655 Arrowhead Road, West Bloomfield
- Best for ages: All ages
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.
Border to Border Trail
- Address: Trail access at 1407 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor
- Best for ages: All ages
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
- Address: 8801 N. Territorial Road, Dexter
- Best for ages: All ages
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.
Belle Isle Park
- Address: 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit
- Best for ages: All ages
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.
Detroit RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut Greenway
- Address: Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit
- Best for ages: All ages
Bike along the scenic Detroit RiverFront and explore the 1.15-mile Dequindre Cut, accessible at Lafayette, Gratiot, and Woodbridge. Enjoy nearby attractions like the RiverWalk Cafe, Playpark, carousel, and splash pad. Belle Isle is just a short ride away.
Lower Huron Metropark
- Address: 40151 E. Huron River Drive, Belleville
- Best for ages: All ages
Bike a four-mile paved trail through scenic meadows and woodlands, with stops for golf, fishing, canoeing, and more. Adventurous riders can continue through Willow and Oakwoods Metroparks for a 30-mile round trip. A $10 day pass or $40–$45 annual pass includes access to all 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
Maybury State Park
- Address: 49601 Eight Mile Road, Northville
- Best for ages: All ages
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
- Address: 32911 Willow Road, New Boston
- Best for ages: All ages
Enjoy a relaxed, three-mile ride through flat terrain and grassy meadows with scenic views of the Huron River. Explore interpretive trails, a canoe launch and a nature center. Connects to 12 more miles of paved trails through Willow and Lower Huron Metroparks, totaling 30 miles. A $10 day pass or $40–$45 annual pass grants access to all 13 Huron-Clinton Metroparks.
This article was recently updated on April 24, 2025 by Metro Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on metro Detroit bike trails for families. Questions? Please reach out to katina@metroparent.com.
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