Bike Riding

If your need for speed is on two wheels, there are lots of options in our Pennsylvania state parks or the vast network of rail trails in Pennsylvania for a spin on flat, family-friendly trails.

Bike Riding in Pennsylvania State Parks

The bike trails found in state parks feature a variety of sizes, terrain and scenic views.

An added bonus is that you can take advantage of the many resources, facilities and activities found within each park.

The following state parks offer bicycling trails, which are paved or fine aggregate surface trails, and generally flat:

Northern Pennsylvania

Shikellamy State Park

A 1.5-mile, paved hiking and biking path encircles Shikellamy Marina. Bicycle rentals are available at the boat rental during the summer.

Explore Shikellamy State Park for more information.

Southern Pennsylvania

Canoe Creek State Park

The 1-mile Bike Trail is between US 22 and Mattern Road.

The trail explores many habitats in the park, like forests, riparian areas, wetlands and fields.

Explore Canoe Creek State Park for more information.

Gifford Pinchot State Park

The trails between the campground and the Conewago Day Use Area are for joint-use by hikers, cross-country skiers and bicycles.

The multipurpose trail network consists of a 3.5-mile outer loop with a number of internal connectors.

The trail winds through woodlands and along the lakeshore and is designed for a slow, leisurely ride.

A seasonal bike rental is in the Conewago Day Use Area.

Explore Gifford Pinchot State Park for more information.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

All park roads and service roads are open to bicycles unless posted otherwise.

A two-mile bike trail connects the Furnace Stack Day Use Area with the Laurel Lake Day Use Area.

Explore Pine Grove Furnace State Park for more information.

Prince Gallitzin State Park

All bicyclists may use park roads open to public travel. Campers may cycle the 2.3-mile multi-use trail around the perimeter of the campground.

Explore Prince Gallitzin State Park for more information.

Shawnee State Park

The 3.4-mile Lakeshore Trail is easy biking and includes a small section of shared road.

All other designated bicycling trails are moderate difficulty -- a total of 7.5 miles of bike trails.

Explore Shawnee State Park for more information.

Trough Creek State Park

Old Forge Road west of Great Trough Creek is a 3.5-mile dirt road that can be biked to the edge of Raystown Laketrails.

Explore Trough Creek State Park for more information.

Eastern Pennsylvania

Benjamin Rush State Park

The 3.5 miles of gravel, multi-use trails wander through forest and open fields and connect to the Fairmont Park system and local neighborhoods.

Explore Benjamin Rush State Park for more information.

Big Pocono State Park

Bicycles are permitted on all hard surface roads shared by vehicles.

Explore Big Pocono State Park for more information.

Delaware Canal State Park

The 60-mile long Delaware Canal towpath runs from Easton to Bristol and is a National Recreation Trail.

Across the river is the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in New Jersey.

Together, Delaware Canal State Park and D&R State Park have formed a series of looping trails connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey via five bridges.

Explore Delaware Canal State Park for more information.

Fort Washington State Park

The 2.5 mile Green Ribbon Trail provides opportunities for biking, hiking and cross-country skiing along Wissahickon Creek.

Explore Fort Washington State Park for more information.

Lehigh Gorge State Park

The Lehigh Gorge Trail is open for biking. Wide tires are recommended. Bicycle rentals and shuttle service are available throughout the area.

Explore Lehigh Gorge State Park for more information.

Locust Lake State Park

A paved, 1.3-mile long bike trail circles the lake and gives an excellent view of the lake.

Explore Locust Lake State Park for more information.

Nockamixon State Park

The popular 2-mile paved bicycle trail winds through the Day Use Area and is ideal for bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers.

Explore Nockamixon State Park for more information.

Norristown Farm Park

There are 8-miles of trails throughout the park. Most trails are paved and used for walking, rollerblading, and bicycling.

Explore Norristown Farm Park for more information.

Promised Land State Park

Riders share the road on the 6.5-mile paved road around Promised Land Lake. Bicycles are not permitted on hiking trails in the park.

Explore Promised Land State Park for more information.

Ridley Creek State Park

The 5-mile, paved multi-use trail along Sycamore Mills and Forge roads is designated for bicycles, joggers, walkers, and cross-country skiers.

Explore Ridley Creek State Park for more information.

Swatara State Park

The wide and flat Bear Hole Trail and Swatara Rail Trail are excellent trail rides on bikes with wide tires.

The Northern and Southern Multi-use Loops are popular rides and comprise 11 miles of trails.

There is a total of 14.8 miles of bike trails in the park.

Explore Swatara State Park for more information.

Tyler State Park

There are 10.5-miles of bike trails in the park. Trails are named at each intersection. Picnic tables are along the bicycle trails for rest stops.

Explore Tyler State Park for more information.

Washington Crossing Historic Park

The 60-mile long Delaware Canal towpath runs from Easton to Bristol and is a National Recreation Trail. It runs through the park.

Explore Washington Crossing Historic Park for more information.

White Clay Creek Preserve

Bicyclists may use portions of Edwin Leid Trail. Bicyclists also use the roads in and along the borders of the preserve.

Explore White Clay Creek Preserve for more information.

Western Pennsylvania

Cook Forest State Park

Bikes are permitted on all one-way, dirt roads within the park. A 13-mile bicycle route follows lightly traveled roads within the park and a portion of Hefren Run Trail.

Biking on hiking trails is prohibited except on the bicycle route portion of Hefren Run Trail.

Explore Cook Forest State Park for more information.

Keystone State Park

The Lakeside Trail is excellent for bikes of all types. This 2-mile, level trail loops around the lake on park roads and walkways.

Explore Keystone State Park for more information.

Maurice K. Goddard State Park

The 12-mile John C. Oliver multi-purpose Trail is paved and follows the north and south shorelines.

Explore Maurice K. Goddard State Park for more information.

Moraine State Park

A paved, 7-mile bicycle trail winds near the shoreline between Davis Hollow and the bike rental building in the northwest corner of the park.

Explore Moraine State Park for more information.

Ohiopyle State Park

The Youghiogheny River Trail has 27 miles of trail in the park and is part of the Great Allegheny Passage rail-trail.

Explore Ohiopyle State Park for more information.

Oil Creek State Park

A 9.7-mile paved bicycle trail through scenic Oil Creek Gorge is a major park attraction.

Trail users may rent bicycles at the park office. Picnic tables, benches, rain shelters and restrooms are at key points along the trail.

Explore Oil Creek State Park for more information.

Point State Park

Bicyclists can ride along the paved pathways through the park to reach various bike routes throughout the city that connect to the North Shore Trail, the South Side Trail, and the Eliza Furnace Trail.

The Great Allegheny Passage rail trail offers 141 miles of hiking and biking between Cumberland, Maryland and Point State Park.

In Cumberland, the Great Allegheny Passage joins the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, creating a continuous trail experience (325 miles long) to Washington, DC.

Explore Point State Park for more information.

Presque Isle State Park

The Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose National Recreation Trail makes a 13.5-mile circuit of the park. This paved trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail.

A seasonal bike rental is in the Waterworks Pumphouse area, near the Cookhouse Pavilion.

Explore Presque Isle State Park for more information.

State Park Biking Rules and Regulations

Pennsylvania state law requires all bicyclists under the age of 12 to wear an approved helmet.

All traditional bicycles (bikes) and electric bicycles (e-bikes) are permitted on state park roads and any trails designated for biking or mountain biking.

Biking is prohibited on designated hiking-only trails and any roads or trails marked as prohibited for bikes.

All riders are required to maintain safe speeds at all times and comply with recommended and/or posted speed limits.

E-bikes must follow all e-bike guidelines.

Rail-Trails in Pennsylvania

Rail Trails are former railway lines that have been converted to paths designed for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Pennsylvania has close to 100 different rail trails, covering more than 1,000 miles.

Explore Pennsylvania Trails contains maps and information about rail trails in Pennsylvania. Some of the best known rail-trails for bike riding include:

Great Allegheny Passage

Somerset, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette and Allegheny counties

Considered to be one of the nation’s most popular rail trails, the Great Allegheny Passage begins in Pittsburgh and crosses the border into Maryland -- eventually ending in the nation’s capital.

The 335-mile journey from Pittsburgh to the end of the trail makes it the longest unpaved bike path on the East Coast.

Crushed limestone offers a smooth surface for bikers, hikers, runners and cross country skiers to experience all the natural beauty between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

Heritage Rail Trail County Park

York County

Extending 21 miles through urban and rural landscapes, the Heritage Rail Trail County Park runs south from the City of York to the Mason-Dixon Line.

Winding through farmlands, along the bank of Codorus Creek and throughout York City, the rail trail welcomes all ages to run, bike or walk the scenic path.

The four historic structures along the way, including the Colonial Courthouse in York City, provide opportunities to learn the area’s rich history.

Pine Creek Rail Trail

Lycoming and Tioga counties

Hop on a bike or lace up those hiking boots and take a trip on the trail hailed as one of the “10 best places to take a bike tour” by USA Today.

This historic 62-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail in the Pennsylvania Wilds, once used to transport freight by train from Wellsboro to Williamsport, is perfect for a relaxing bike ride.

Delaware and Lehigh Trail

Luzerne, Lehigh, Carbon, Bucks and Northampton counties

The D and L Trail is a 165-mile multi-use trail. The trail incorporates rail trails, rails with trails, share-the-road sections, and canal towpaths.

The trail follows the route that anthracite coal took from mine to market.

It winds through northern mountains and along the banks of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers through northeast Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley, and Bucks County.

Bike Safety

• Be safe -- don’t forget your helmet! Pennsylvania state law requires all bicyclists under the age of 12 to wear an approved helmet. Helmets must be worn level and snug on top of the head with the chin strap securely fastened.
• Please be considerate of other trail users; ride to the right and signal when passing.