RVer-Friendly Bike Trails in the Midwestern United States

Trail Length

62.3 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Head to Broderick Drive at US 52 in Savanna, Illinois, to find the north entrance to Great River Trail. Parking is available. The south end of the trail is at Sunset Park, 18th Avenue and Mill Street, Rock Island, Illinois.

Description and Tips

Take a few days to get the most out of this trail. Camp at Thomson Causeway and ride north to Savanna, where you should be sure to take in the rail-car welcome center and the Savanna Museum and Cultural Center. Stop by Manny's Pizza for a meal. Half-way back to Thomson is the Upper Mississippi River Savanna District Admin Building And Visitor Station, where you'll find nice nature displays and clean bathrooms, plus a bicycle tool rack. Great River Trail runs right through Thomson Causeway, so it is convenient, and impossible to miss. If you have the time, head south to Fulton, Illinois, and tour an authentic Dutch windmill (the guides wear wooden shoes!). Across the street is a museum with several built-to-scale, very detailed Dutch windmills. The next day, drive the 40 miles south to Hampton, Illinois, and to Fisherman's Corner, another Army Corp of Engineers campground. Great River Trail runs between the campground and Route 84. Bike south through Hampton, East Moline, Moline, and Rock Island, with many places to stop and view the river. If you do cross to Davenport, head left from the bridge for a couple of blocks, and you'll find the Fresh Deli Market in a string mall along with a brewery and pizza place – try the fish tacos! You can head south from here to circle Credit Island and then head back north to pick up the Duck Creek Trail. You will want your camera on a few spots on this trail! If this is too strenuous, or it is too hot and humid, fear not: Channel Cat Water Taxi has a series of shuttle water taxis that are covered and have racks for about 6 bikes. The water taxis go between East Moline, Bettendorf, Davenport, and Moline all day long, and an all-day pass is only $8. The next day, you can head north through Rapids City, Port Byron, Corodova, and Albany, and then up to Fulton if you're feeling ambitious. Be aware that Albany is poorly marked – bring a map!

Submitted By

Josef Appell

Trail Length

27 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Find the trailhead at 311 East Williams Street, Wyoming, Illinois.

Description and Tips

Rock Island Trail is an old railway line converted to a cycling, walking, and hiking trail. This trail is a great ride for any skill level.

Submitted By

John Satzler

Trail Length

25 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Pumpkinvine Nature Trail winds through the beautiful country side from the historic town of Shipshewana, Indiana, through Middlebury, Indiana, and all the way to Goshen, Indiana. Find more information about trail access and parking here.

Description and Tips

The countryside that this trail passes through is beautiful, with picturesque farms, livestock, fields, and ponds. You might spot horse-drawn carriages! On warm days, trees lining most of the path will shade you from the sun for a comfortable ride. Shipshewana is well-known for the Amish community in the area, and for the Shipshewana Trading Place flea market (Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the summer) and antique auction (Tuesdays year round). Shipshewana also has many hotels, B&Bs, and Amish-style restaurants. Goshen is also a historical town with many interesting sights. If you arrive at Goshen and want to carry on, you can continue to Elkhart on the Maple City Greenway and MapleHeart Trail.

Submitted By

Pam Arment

Trail Length

62 miles

Trail Start and End Details

While this trail officially starts in Council Bluffs, Iowa, you can actually start in downtown Omaha and ride around Lake Manawa to get to it. It ends at Blanchard on the Iowa/Missouri border. Wabash Trace Nature Trail is accessible from the many small towns it passes through.

Description and Tips

Ride through the scenic Iowa countryside, past fields and over rolling hills. Small towns along the trail provide opportunities for drinks, snacks, and car shuttles. Check out Taco Rides on Thursday nights in the summer! So many cyclists... and so much fun!

Submitted By

Stephanie Murdock

Trail Length

22 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail currently runs from Empire, Michigan, to Bohemia Road near Good Harbor, Michigan. Trailheads are at Bar Lake Road, Pierce Stocking, Dune Climb, Glen Haven, Alligator Hill, Crystal River, Bay View, and Port Oneida.

Description and Tips

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a beautiful trail that winds through some of the most scenic landscape in Northern Michigan, including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Riding the Trail is great way to experience the scenery and towns within the Lakeshore. The trail is asphalt aside from a 3-mile section of crushed stone through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District north of Glen Arbor. A planned expansion of the trail will bring it to 27 miles, from the northern end of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore at County Road 651 to the Leelanau/Benzie County line at Manning Road south of Empire. Stop at the dune climb or in the beautiful little town of Glenn Arbor for a break. This trail is spectacular in the fall!

Submitted By

Melody Yuhn, Brad Harrison

Trail Length

22 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Betsie Valley Trail runs from Frankfort, Michigan to Thompsonville, Michigan. The Trail starts at Lake Michigan Beach in Frankfort. There is also a trailhead at the visitors centre in Beulah, Michigan.

Description and Tips

This is a rails-to-trails path, about half of which is paved and the rest gravel. It is a beautiful winding trail through marshes and woods, alongside the river, and along a portion of the Crystal Lake lakeshore. The trail is normally not crowded, and only crosses roads a couple of times. There is a nice public restroom in Beulah, surrounded by antique stores and ice cream shops. At the other end, Frankfort has good restrooms and more shops that cater to vacationers. Along the trail there are also a couple of spots to fish, as well as benches here and there for taking a break.

Submitted By

Dave Belden

Trail Length

8.3 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Mackinac Island Visitor's Center, located near the ferry docks on the south side of Main (Huron) Street, is a great place to start the loop.

Description and Tips

This loop takes you around the lakeshore of Mackinac Island, and is stacked full of beautiful views of Lake Huron, limestone bluffs, and other scenery. There are many optional stops along the way, such as Arch Rock. While the trail is actually a state highway, the entire island is car-free. Rent bikes when you arrive, or pay an extra ferry fee to bring your own bike.

Submitted By

Andy Batt

Photo Source

Andy Batt

Trail Length

16.6 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Leelanau Trail connects Traverse City, Michigan, and Suttons Bay, Michigan. There are three trailheads with parking, found at Cherry Bend Road and Fouch Road in Traverse City, and 4th Street in Suttons Bay. There is also parking available at the Leelanau Studios parking lot, 1/3 mile east of the Cherry Bend Road trailhead. Trail users are also welcome to use the lot at Keswick Methodist Church, on Center Highway between Fort Road and Revold Road in Suttons Bay.

Description and Tips

Leelanau Trail is well-maintained and the asphalt surface is nearly flawless. You'll experience lakes, farms, and vineyards as you pass from urban setting to countryside, with minimal road crossings throughout the trail. Traverse Bay has plenty to do when you're not biking. There are portable bathrooms along the trail and public restrooms are seasonally available at the village marina in Suttons Bay. Check out the two food forests along the trail, and the seven-acre Leo Creek Preserve.

Submitted By

Steven Atha

Photo Source

Steven Atha

Trail Length

40 miles

Trail Start and End Details

This path connects various cities, attractions, and parks in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Description and Tips

There are more than 40 miles of Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) today, with plans to increase that to 70 miles. The B2B is a mixture of on-road and off-road sections, which are clearly identified on the map for easy planning. Check out the various destinations you can stop to enjoy along the path here.

Submitted By

Laura Crowley

Trail Length

42 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Root River State Trail is a paved route connecting a series of small towns in southeast Minnesota, from Fountain to Houston. There are seven trailheads along the route, which are clearly marked on the trail map.

Description and Tips

Root River State Trail follows the Root River for much of the way, and is mostly level with a section of steeper hills just west of Houston. The trail offers beautiful views of limestone bluffs and wooded hillsides. There are campgrounds along the route, and other amenities in the towns the trail passes through; stop in Lanesboro for plenty of places to eat, and check out Aroma Pie Shoppe in Whalan. There are bike tune-up stations at every trailhead, and public bathrooms at all but Whalan. Root River State Trail connects with Harmony–Preston Valley State Trail, for more than 60 miles of paved trails through this scenic part of Minnesota.

Submitted By

Jeanne Fitzgerald, Randy Creeger

Trail Length

19.7 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Cannon Valley Trail connects the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota, with trail access at each city.

Description and Tips

Cannon Valley Trail is built on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line, and runs through diverse and beautiful scenery along the Cannon River. Panoramic views of the valley, overhanging cliffs, and wetlands will reward you as you descend 115 feet from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. Access to the trail costs $5 per day or $25 for the season. You'll find amenities in each city, and a bike fix-it station at Welch.

Submitted By

Mandy Meyer

Trail Length

9.5 miles

Trail Start and End Details

This series of beautiful wooded trails is located in Battle Creek Regional Park, about five miles east of downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. The official trailhead is located directly south of the Community Center.

Description and Tips

This extensive network of well-maintained and groomed dirt trails is actually surrounded by urban suburbs – but you'll forget all about that as you enjoy log bridges, rock gardens, burms, and switchback single-track. This is hilly terrain in the Mississippi River Valley, so expect a great workout!

Submitted By

Seth Pasch

Photo Source

Seth Pasch

Trail Length

135 miles

Trail Start and End Details

There are numerous access points for this trail, which can be seen on the official map. The western-most access is at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. From combined Highways 169 and 2, turn north onto 3rd Ave NE to Itasca County Fairgrounds. Direct trail access and parking are located at the north side of the Fairgrounds. There is parking available at all access points.

Description and Tips

Mesabi Trail is almost entirely paved, with relatively easy riding and many towns to explore along the way. Get a sense of the more challenging sections vs more flat areas by taking a virtual tour. Parts of the trail are still being completed, with the longest continuous trail stretching about 75 miles between Grand Rapids and McKinley. A shuttle service is available to transport you between completed portions if you want to avoid the uncompleted sections!

Submitted By

Josiah Wiebe

Photo Source

Josiah Wiebe

Trail Length

240 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Katy Trail stretches from Machens, Missouri to Clinton, Missouri, with many access points along the trail.

Description and Tips

Katy Trail is one of the longest rails-to-trails in the US, developed on the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad – the MKT, or Katy. The trail stretches across Missouri through many of the most scenic parts of the state, running along the Missouri River for much of its length. The trail surface is crushed limestone, and the terrain is relatively flat with a few hills on the western end, especially between Sedalia and Clinton. Along the way you can find small towns, restaurants, wineries, and bike shops.

Submitted By

Mark Plag, Dan Lewie

Photo Source

Mark Plag

Trail Length

85 miles

Trail Start and End Details

This trail is located in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with multiple trailheads throughout the Park.

Description and Tips

The Towpath Trail follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal in a beautiful wooded setting with historic canal sites all along the way. It is an easy ride with a compacted gravel surface and fairly level terrain. As a unique option, you can bike in one direction, then take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad back to your car.

Submitted By

Bob Chalker

Trail Length

50 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Little Miami Scenic Trail is the Xenia, Ohio, to Cincinnati, Ohio, component of the Ohio to Erie Trail. The Little Miami portion starts at the train depot (Xenia Station) in Xenia, and runs to the end of the trail in Cincinnati. With many trailheads available, there are many options for length.

Description and Tips

This portion of the trail passes through the picturesque Miami Valley, where you will ride much of the way through forests and near a river. There are several places to stop and rest or eat along the way.

Submitted By

Ben Humphrey

Trail Length

105 miles

Trail Start and End Details

Ohio to Erie Trail stretches from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Cleveland, Ohio, with many access points available along the route.

Description and Tips

This trail is easy riding, with paved blacktop, mostly flat terrain, very few road crossings, and about 8 to 12 feet of width in most places. It's a wonderful trail through farm country with nice small towns along the way for supplies.

Submitted By

David Eigel

Trail Length

109 miles

Trail Start and End Details

George S. Mickelson Trail traverses 109 miles on a general north/south route throughout the entire Black Hills, South Dakota, area. The trail's northernmost access point is at Deadwood, South Dakota, and the southernmost trailhead is found at Edgemont, South Dakota. There are a total of 14 trailheads along the route, many near towns with RV parks.

Description and Tips

George S. Mickelson Trail follows an old railroad bed through the Black Hills in western South Dakota. The trail winds through canyons and tunnels and along mountain streams, with waterfalls and other natural vistas to enjoy as well as old gold mining communities and other sites to explore. The trail is largely hard-packed small gravel with paved sections. Although there can be some elevation gain, the riding here is not technical and easy to traverse for regular riders or ebikes. Beginner riders can choose a trailhead and plan an easy out-and-back ride. With so many towns along the trail, free parking is accessible. The trail passes close to national parks, state parks, and historic landmarks (you can see Sitting Bull Monument from the trail), and offers plenty of shade to keep riders cool. Several Black Hills communities along the way offer RV parks, restaurants, and other amenities. If you are a fisherman, buy a permit online and bring your pole along!

Submitted By

Steve Paula, Teresa Pennington

Photo Source

Teresa Pennington

Trail Length

32.5 miles

Trail Start and End Details

As the name suggests, this trail travels between the towns of Elroy, Wisconsin, and Sparta, Wisconsin. The end points are found at South Water Street and Milwaukee Street/La Crosse River State Trail in Sparta, and SR 82 at SR 71 in Elroy.

Description and Tips

Elroy-Sparta State Trail is commonly acknowledged as the oldest rails-to-trails conversation in the US, a beautiful route through five small towns and three hand-dug tunnels that are over 100 years old. Two of the tunnels are 1/4 mile long, and the third 3/4 mile, and all are unlit, making for quite the adventure. The rest of the trail is a beautiful countryside route through rolling hills and farmland.

Submitted By

Barbara Thompson, Glenn Green