Mountain-Biking

A 1,300-acre Hill Country playground about an hour from Austin where kids can try granite bouldering and rock scrambling on terrain that is genuinely different from the limestone found everywhere else in the region. The mountain bike trails range from a flat family loop around the private lake to more technical routes over the granite formations. Canoeing and fishing on the lake round out the options and the combination of activities makes it easy to fill an entire day without anyone getting bored. Open Wednesday through Sunday so check the schedule before heading out.

A massive 416-acre park along the Brazos and Bosque Rivers with over 10 miles of trails that include some surprisingly challenging terrain with limestone bluffs and creek crossings. Lover’s Leap offers dramatic cliff views high above the Brazos River. Miss Nellie’s Pretty Place is a hidden grotto that kids love discovering. The mountain bike trails are well-maintained and the disc golf course is one of the highest-rated in Texas.

A popular DORBA mountain bike area along the Trinity River with trails that are excellent for kids transitioning from paved paths to real dirt riding. The beginner loop is short and confidence-building with smooth flow features. More advanced trails wind through dense riparian forest with drops and rock gardens for older riders who want a challenge.

A forested state park surrounding Lake Raven in the Sam Houston National Forest where families can rent canoes and kayaks right at the park store. The 8-mile trail loop through towering loblolly pines is beautiful for hiking and mountain biking. The lake swim area has a sandy bottom and the campground stays shaded under the pine canopy even in the heat of summer.

Over 20,000 acres of rolling prairie and oak savanna just north of the DFW metroplex managed by the US Forest Service. The TADRA Point trail system has excellent mountain biking for older kids and the Black Creek Lake area offers primitive camping where families can really get away from it all. Wildflower season in spring is spectacular across the open grasslands.

Over 26 miles of singletrack winding along the north shore of Grapevine Lake through dense oak and cedar forest. Older kids who are ready for real mountain biking will find trails ranging from beginner-friendly smooth sections to rocky technical descents. The lake views along the eastern sections are gorgeous and there are plenty of spots to stop and rest or skip rocks on the water.

A 2,400-acre Travis County park that is the premier outdoor rock climbing destination in Central Texas with hundreds of established routes on limestone cliffs ranging from beginner to expert. Kids who are into climbing can spend an entire day working different walls. The park also has over 18 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails and the Pedernales River runs along the southern boundary with swimming access when water levels allow.

A 524-acre nature preserve with over five miles of dirt trails winding through bottomland forest along Rowlett Creek. Kids love the creek crossings where they can splash and look for crawfish and tadpoles. The mountain bike trails maintained by DORBA give older kids a fun challenge with berms and tabletops on the skills loop.

A 7,677-acre park on the shores of O.C. Fisher Reservoir with over 50 miles of trails through mesquite grassland and rocky terrain. The park maintains a small herd of Texas longhorn cattle that kids love seeing up close. An official state longhorn herd interpretive trail educates families about the breed’s history. Mountain biking is popular on the rugged trails and the park offers equestrian camping for horse-owning families.

A beautifully maintained CCC-era state park with a spring-fed lake surrounded by towering pines and hardwoods. The swim area has a sandy beach and the park rents paddleboats and kayaks. Over 13 miles of trails loop through East Texas piney woods and the mountain bike trails are well-regarded. The historic stone and timber structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps give the park a timeless character.

Sitting right on Joe Pool Lake barely 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, this park feels way more remote than it actually is. Kids can swim, fish from the shore, or watch for wildlife on the Talala Trail loop. The DORBA mountain bike trails are a blast for older kids ready to ride dirt, and the 350 campsites make it one of the easiest places to plan an overnight camping trip close to the city.

A 212-acre park with 10 miles of well-maintained mountain bike trails that are ideal for kids learning to ride dirt for the first time. The progressive skills course lets them build confidence at their own pace before hitting the real trails. Twelve primitive campsites are scattered through the woods for families wanting a low-key overnight experience, and there is a playground and pond near the parking area for younger siblings who just want to run around.

A 1,300-acre urban oasis along the Trinity River with over eight miles of paved hike-and-bike trails shaded by towering pecans and oaks. Kids love the custom-built playgrounds, and older kids can tackle the 10 miles of off-road mountain bike trails. A canoe launch gives families easy access to the river, and the adjacent River Legacy Living Science Center has indoor nature exhibits with live animals that younger kids find fascinating.