You can bike Champaign-Urbana with your family any time of year thanks to some awesome trails
There is no better time to get out and enjoy all the beautiful bike paths in Champaign-Urbana that helped Urbana earn the title of “Bicycle Friendly Community” from the League of American Bicyclists.
What makes a bike trail family friendly? For one thing, it’s out of the way of major traffic. These trails also tend to be paths that aren’t too strenuous.
Meadowbrook Park, Urbana
Meadowbrook Park has wide paved paths that are perfect for a family bike ride. This park is centered on families and on any given day you will see kids of all ages enjoying the 3+ miles of paved paths. Located on Windsor Road in south Urbana.
Walkers on path: Yes
Cars on path: No
Mattis Park Trail and Boulware Trail, Champaign
More paved paths out of the way of (most) traffic, both these trails are nicely paved. Mattis Park Trail, oddly enough, is not located any where near Mattis Avenue, but is between Windsor Road and Devonshire Avenue, and west of Fox Drive. The trail continues as you cross Devonshire and becomes Boulware Trail, located directly behind the office buildings on Fox Drive. It is a paved path perfect for biking and is family-friendly. Enjoy the ponds and wildlife you encounter along the way; this trail is approximately two miles in length if you wind about in the various trails in this park. This is also the way to (ahem) Jarling’s Custard Cup.
Walkers on Path: Yes, but not as many as park paths like Hessel Park and Colbert Park.
Cars on path: No
Hessel Park, Champaign
For a relatively easy bike ride, take the 1-mile ride around Hessel Park and feel free to stop and play at the playground or splash pad (seasonal) after all the riding is done.
Walkers: Yes. Beware that there are a lot of walkers here sharing the path.
Cars on path: No
Colbert Park, Savoy
The Colbert Park path around its pond was quietly paved late last fall, making this a great place for a family bike ride for younger riders; it’s completely out of the way of traffic yet quite short. Bonus: Try to ride those bikes up the hill. Con: The wide path is also very popular with walkers and runners.
Walkers: Yes. Beware that there are a lot of walkers here sharing the path.
Cars on path: No
The bike path through the Research Park, Champaign
Enjoy the art and flowers along this bike path, which is just over a mile in length and runs between St. Mary’s Road and Windsor Road, and back up Oak Street. You can also ride on Fourth Street between St. Mary’s and Windsor, which has bike lanes — and not a whole lot of traffic. Bonus: Stop at the spinner across the street from the I-Hotel and Conference Center (this is considered playground equipment, so use your best judgment on whether your family plays on it). One challenge: It’s not easy to get here from west of Neil Street due to the railroad tracks; it’s safer to get here from Urbana.
Walkers on path: Not many.
Cars on path: Partially. Much of the path is not on roads, but some is.
Kickapoo Rail Trail, Urbana to St. Joseph
We have an entire article devoted to the wonder that is the Kickapoo Rail Trail, which goes from Urbana to St. Joseph, with tips and tricks to maximize use of this modern bike trail.
Walkers on path: Not many
Cars on path: No
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet
Head out to Mahomet, where Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve has beautiful, wide, and well-maintained trails perfect for family bike rides.
Walkers on path: Some
Cars on path: Parts of the paved path coincide with roads, but it’s slow traffic.
Lodge Park, Monticello
Located on the north side of the city, Lodge Park is a grand place.
Walkers on path: Some
Cars on path: No
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