Car-Free Route Ideas
Who doesn't enjoy a bike ride (non-dirt) where you don't have to worry about cars? These are some ideas to help you achieve some car-free riding on pavement.
Napa Valley Vine Trail - This path is 12.5 miles of flat, scenic trail that runs from Napa to Yountville, running parallel to Hwy 29. The Vine Trail project is currently underway and will eventually be 47 miles of trail (connecting the entire Napa Valley from Vallejo to Calistoga). More details: https://www.vinetrail.org. To incorporate this into a longer route (shared with cars), see the Mt Veeder page.
Ojai Valley Trail & Ventura River Trail - These two connecting trails span 15 miles and run parallel to Hwy 33 from the quaint town of Ojai to downtown Ventura. More details: https://www.ventura.org/parks-department/trails/ojai-valley-trail-ventura-ojai/
Death Ride - Known as the Tour of the California Alps, this annual event in July that is almost entirely car-free (about 86%). The course is closed to cars as you climb up and over Monitor Pass, Ebbetts Pass, and the Pacific Grade. See the Death Ride page.
Jackson Hole Pathways - There are nearly 70 miles of paved trails throughout Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, and it is a great way to explore the area. See the Jenny Lake (Jackson, Wyoming) page.
Crater Lake - In the month of September there are two “Ride the Rim” weekends, a free bike friendly event closing off East Rim Drive to traffic (hosted by @discoverklamath). Enjoy 25 miles of car-free riding around the majority of Crater Lake (the remaining 8 miles are open to vehicles). See the Crater Lake page.
Mammoth Lakes - There are several miles of bike paths throughout this mountain town, including a paved trail up to the Mammoth Lakes Basin that ends at Horseshoe Lake. See Mammoth Lakes Basin page.
Sunriver Resort - This resort is located near Bend, Oregon and has over 40 miles of family-friendly paved bike trails throughout the property. Enjoy scenic rides alongside the Deschutes River as you cruise through this expansive community. More details: https://www.sunriverresort.com
American River Parkway - This trail is a 32-mile (one-way) paved trail from Sacramento to Folsom, running parallel to the American River. The stretch from Guy West Bridge to Folsom Dam is my favorite and it’s beautiful year round. More Details: https://arpf.org/visit/
The Tucson Loop (aka Huckleberry Loop) - This extensive bike path covers over 130 miles of paved trails, offering a car-free way to get around parts of Tucson, Arizona, and surrounding areas. More details: https://tucsonloop.org
Griffith Park - This 4,200 acre park located in Los Angeles is famous for its views of the city and the Hollywood sign. With several miles of park roads closed to cars, escape the LA traffic and enjoy a car-free climb up towards the Griffith Observatory. More details: https://www.laparks.org/griffithpark/
The Wood River Trail - Starting from Sun Valley, Idaho, this scenic, multi-use paved trail is over 20 miles connecting the communities of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley. More details: https://bcrd.org/summer-trails/our-summer-trails/wood-river-trail/
Moab Canyon Pathway - Starting from the Colorado River in the northern part of Moab, this 9-mile bike path makes its way past the Arches National Park entrance, along the red rock canyon walls and to the beginning of Highway 313 (which is the gateway to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park). More details: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2024/july/26/destination-utahs-moab-canyon-pathway-and-arches-national-park/ To incorporate this into a longer route (shared with cars), see the Dead Horse Point page.
Yosemite “Bikes Only” Days - In the spring, you can ride Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass without cars when snow plowing has been completed but the roads are still closed to vehicles. This short window varies each year as it depends on the snowfall that season and the park’s plowing schedule. See Tioga Pass page and Glacier Point page.
RBC GranFondo Whistler - This event is a point to point gran fondo along the beautiful Canadian Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler, British Columbia, completely car-free. See RBC Gran Fondo Whistler page.
Tahoe East Shore Trail - This path is short but offers picturesque views of Lake Tahoe’s crystal blue waters, starting from Incline Village and ending at Sand Harbor State Park. More Details: https://travelnevada.com/outdoor-recreation/tahoe-east-shore-trail/
Miner’s Ravine Trail - In the suburbs of Sacramento, this beautiful bike trail starts in downtown Roseville and winds its way through town along Dry Creek until you reach Granite Bay. The path is 5 miles one-way and offers a safe way to pass under the freeway. More details: https://www.traillink.com/trail/miners-ravine-trail/
Lassen Highway - Known as “Hike and Bike the Highway” days in the late spring/early summer in Lassen National Park, the road gradually opens to cars in sections as snow clearing takes place, providing the unique opportunity to ride with little to no cars surrounded by snow. See Lassen Highway page.
Applegate Trail - Located in the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (a MTB playground) about a mile from downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, this paved trail is about 2.5 miles and runs through the heart of the park. More details: https://www.visitbentonville.com/things-to-do/parks-trails-lakes/coler/
Sacramento River Trail - Starting from downtown Redding, California, this scenic paved trail is 16 miles one-way, running parallel to the river as you make your way up toward Shasta Dam. There are some steep uphill sections as well as flat converted rail trails. See Shasta Dam page (this trail is the first half of the route).
Angel Island State Park - The island is a former immigration station and military base, known for its hiking trails and historic buildings. The Perimeter Road is a 6-mile loop that circles the island and it’s all about exploring and taking in the views of the San Francisco Bay. See Angel Island page.
Hermit Road - Located in Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, this 7-mile stretch of road that is only open to bikes and official park shuttle buses from March through November. There are a number of canyon overlooks along the way for enjoying the majestic views. See Grand Canyon South Rim page.
Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail - Starting at Pillar Point Harbor, this paved path runs along the coast for 5 miles (and continues for another 5 miles with a mix of dirt and paved trails). It’s a family friendly, leisurely ride with stunning views of the ocean and coastal cliffs. More details: https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/articles/bike-california-coastal-trail-seaside-splendor. To incorporate this into a longer route (that includes gravel and is shared with cars), see the Half Moon Bay page.
Napa Valley Vine Trail - This 8-mile section of the Vine Trail runs through the heart of the Napa Valley from Calistoga to St. Helena, past several wineries and the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. More details: https://www.vinetrail.org
Rincon Bike Path - Located about 9 miles north of downtown Ventura, California, this short 3.5-mile path runs parallel to the 101 freeway and along the water's edge as you make your way to Santa Barbara. More details: https://www.goventura.org/3-scenic-places-to-bike-in-ventura-county/. To incorporate this into a longer route (shared with cars), see the Ventura to Santa Barbara page.
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