After the quarantine has ended, many of us and our kids have developed new favorite hobbies or rediscovered activities that we haven’t done in a long time, such as art classes or practising some relaxing yoga. It’s always fun going back to things we loved doing or exploring new things to enjoy – and if it’s physical activity, it’s great for our health.
Outdoor activities have become a favorite for families with kids, as they feel you should be taking advantage of every sunny day by enjoying some outdoor fun or some fresh air at San Antonio’s many picnic spots under the warmth of the sun. Another increasingly popular activity to enjoy with your family is bike riding, especially with the city’s many bike paths!
Bike riding is a great excuse to do some exercise with your little ones while still having fun. Besides, its health benefits are endless! On the list below, you’ll find the best family-friendly bike paths in San Antonio:
The Best Beginner Bike Routes for Kids
1
San Antonio River Walk Bike Path
One of the main Family-Friendly Bike Paths in San Antonio is, undoubtedly, the San Antonio River Walk Hike & Bike Path. It features over 30 miles of paved trails along both sides of the river, which are super easy for the family to bike around! There are many popular spots to visit throughout the bike trail, such as the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park on the South, where you can learn about several Spanish frontier missions, and Bracken Ridge Park on the northern section.2
Leon Creek Greenway
As part of the Greenway Trails in San Antonio, Leon Creek is one of the best mountain bike trails in the city. The Leon Creek Greenway offers paved and natural trails that are mostly flat (which makes it great for all skill levels) and have a super tranquil atmosphere, where you will get to see ponds, birds, small mammals, wildflower fields, heritage trees, and lots of wildlife as you pedal down with the family! Besides biking, you can enjoy yourselves walking, running, and skating.3
Brackenridge Park
Brackenridge Park offers families the chance to enjoy bike rides with children in San Antonio, which combine natural beauty, recreational activities, and cultural experiences. With lots of paved roads that are perfect for kids and beginners, and off-road trails, this park is perfect for each biker in the family! You and your kids can enjoy beautiful views of the San Antonio River and several historical landmarks, as well as spot birds, squirrels, and turtles.4
Medina River Greenway
Looking for San Antonio bike trails to enjoy the Medina River? This concrete trail runs for 7 miles and offers lots of viewing points to enjoy views of the Medina River, as well as the beautiful nature that surrounds the trail—Cypress, Oak, and Pecan trees, local wildlife, and more. A great option for family-friendly bike paths! But there’s more: If you and your family like fishing, you can do it in the Medina River, and you can also take advantage of the group camping areas and picnic spots.5
O. P. Schnabel Park
There’s a trail for everyone in this 202-acre park! These bike paths in San Antonio range from 1 mile to over 7, with surfaces varying between concrete, asphalt, and natural soil, and also varying in difficulty, which makes it great for different skill levels. Your family can enjoy beautiful views of oak trees, mountain laurels, and native plants, as well as of birds, cute squirrels, and other small animals. In the park, there’s also a playground for the kids to have a fun break!6
Salado Creek Greenway
Salado Creek Greenway offers beautiful scenic views that will make the bike ride ten times better! This trail is divided into two main segments—the northern segment and the southern segment—as one of the best paved trails for families in San Antonio. It is paved with asphalt and concrete, which makes it suitable for biking, walking, and running. Your family can enjoy fantastic views of Salado Creek, with large pecan and live oak trees.7
McAllister Park
If you want to find beginner bike routes for kids with different levels of difficulty, you should visit McAllister Park. This park offers different loops for biking, one is the Red Trail for experienced riders (since it has some challenging sections), and the other one is the Blue Loop Trail, which is a natural and asphalt trail! There are also other trails like the Mud Creek Loop and Twisty Trail, which offer different levels of difficulty as well.8
Phil Hardberger Park
With a beautiful landscape, shaded areas, and wildlife, the Phil Hardberger Park is another favorite when it comes to bike riding with the family. Cross the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge, which connects the two sides of the park, and enjoy its scenic route. The trails on the Blanco Road side of the park connect to the Salado Creek Greenway, so you can enjoy extended rides. Besides, Phil Hardberger Park hosts educational programs and guided tours that your family can’t miss—It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the local ecosystem beyond enjoying the incredible San Antonio bike trails!9
Panther Springs Trail
Although the trail has some hills and many winding roads, it’s still a great option for families. You can start in the Panther Springs Dog Park, the Wilderness Oak Elementary School, or the Parman Library to get to the trail. And, besides the main trail, there are several other biking trails within the Park with different levels of difficulty. If your family has a dog, you can bring them to the Panther Springs Dog Park and let them play before or after your ride! It features areas for small and large dogs, shaded seating areas, and water stations.10
Stone Oak Park
Stone Oak Park features a 2.7-mile trail for the family to enjoy a nice bike ride! Kids can also enjoy a playground and fitness equipment for the grown-ups. The park is also surrounded by nature to enjoy a nice lunch or time outdoors! Besides offering one of the most family-friendly bike paths in San Antonio, your family can take advantage of the other amenities that the park offers, such as a playground for kids, picnic areas, and an outdoor classroom!11
The Mission Trail
The Mission Trail connects five Spanish colonial missions—The Alamo, the most famous of the missions; Mission Concepción, the oldest stone church in America; Mission San José; Mission San Juan; and Mission Espada. Your family can leverage bike rental in Mission Trail San Antonio offered by Mission Adventure Tours.These bike-paved trails for families in San Antonio are as beautiful as convenient for your family’s health. Biking on trails with the family is a wonderful activity for children, since they can have a blast while doing physical activity, which helps improve coordination and balance, cardiovascular health, and strengthen their muscles.
Also, this activity is great for their mental health and self-confidence. We hope that you can take advantage of these unique San Antonio bike trails and strengthen your family bonds! If you want to know more opportunities for your kids to do physical activity while having fun, check out our guide to San Antonio’s Top Dance Classes for Kids!
