WilmingtonParenMay2025

Best Wilmington Bike Rides for Families

Gary Shell

Cross-City Trail

15 Miles

Best for older children or for youngsters tucked safely in a buggy or bike seat, the Gary Sheel Cross-City Trail will take you from Wrightsville Beach and through the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. Round out the day by making a stop at the Cameron Art Museum - right on the route - for an art tour or hands-on activity before pedaling your way through the trail’s final miles.

River to Sea Bikeway

11 Miles

Follow the Historic Beach Car Line, which historically carried vacationers from Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach by trolley. With its gorgeous finale at Johnnie Mercer’s Fishing Pier, this winding combination between an on and off-road cycling route wends through Wilmington and gives you something to sink your cycling teeth into. A heads up that this route isn’t exclusively on trails, and riders can expect to share roads with cars at times.

Blue Clay Park

8 Miles

Boasting the most extensive bike trail in New Hanover County with its recently updated network and plenty of beginner and intermediate options to choose from, the Blue Clay Park trails are especially well suited to mountain bikers and folks comfortable cycling off-road on dirt paths.

Have fun exploring and keep a lookout for tree roots and the places where the road crosses the trail!

Island Greenway

1.2 Miles

The Island Greenway wends a lovely route through the picturesque town of Carolina Beach on Pleasure Island. Expect an easy, paved path that’s short enough for youngsters just starting to try out their own wheels.

Carolina Beach Lake Park

1.2 Miles

Just two blocks from the beach, this easy and accessible greenway path in Carolina Beach circles near and around the 11 acre freshwater lake. An idyllic landscape for cyclists, this path is especially well-loved by families for its inclusive playground, gazebo, and picnic areas. Take a mid-ride break to recharge on the lake’s shore or make your riding destination the park’s engaging play area.

Wrightsville

2.45 Miles

A favorite for families who love to ride by the sea and are looking for smooth, easy sailing, you’ll find more than ten miles of flat bike paths with an accessible 2.45 miles along the shore that’s great for families out for a weekend cycle. Riders are particularly fond of morning rides along the shore before the heat of the day and when the sun is sparkling on the water.