Preparing for a cycling adventure with camping? Follow this simple guide for an unforgettable journey.
Explore the beauty of the United States on two wheels with these beginner-friendly rail trails that offer scenic routes, manageable distances, and comfortable lodging.
The Great Allegheny Passage
Stretching 150 miles from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland, the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) takes you through pastoral farmland, tumbling waterfalls, flowing rivers, and historic railroad trestles. This trail is perfect for meditation, thinking, writing, or doing art or journal along the way.
Ohiopyle, which sits near the middle of the GAP, is home to Ohiopyle State Park and its crown jewel, 30-foot-tall Cucumber Falls. Trail towns along the GAP offer restaurants, ice cream shops, bed-and-breakfasts, and bike shops for cyclists.
The New River Trail
The New River Trail in Southwest Virginia is a 57-mile rail trail that crosses 32 wooden trestle bridges and runs through two historic railroad tunnels. It is the centerpiece of New River Trail State Park and begins in Pulaski, meandering alongside the gentle New River before splitting off to two endpoints, in Galax and Fries.
Galax, Virginia, has a nearly 120-year-old historic district with small cafes and quaint shops like Willow Bee Apothecary and Barrs Fiddle Shop. Several outfitters offer shuttle services to get cyclists and their bikes back to their starting point on the New River Trail. The Inn at Foster Falls in the New River Trail State Park welcomes cyclists with warm beds and rockers.
The George S. Mickelson Trail
The George S. Mickelson Trail passes through the Black Hills National Forest, crossing numerous railroad bridges and going through four rock tunnels. This 109-mile rail trail in South Dakota, running from Edgemont to Deadwood, offers opportunities for cyclists to see forested landscapes and cross numerous wooden trestle bridges and historic railroad tunnels. A $4/day pass is required for riding the Mickelson Trail, and a trail guide is available for $12.
Custer, a top spot for historic architecture and artistic buffalo statues on the Mickelson Trail, is nearby. The 1880 Train, a steam engine, chugs through the Black Hills from Hill City to Keystone.
The Paul Bunyan State Trail
Minnesota's longest paved rail trail, the Paul Bunyan State Trail, passes through boreal forests, wildflower-filled meadows, and numerous freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. This trail runs from Crow Wing State Park in Brainerd to Lake Bemidji State Park in Bemidji and offers trail towns with easy access to restaurants, ice cream shops, bike repair stations, and food markets. Nisswa is a popular stop due to its proximity to a coffee shop, a pizzeria, and an ale house from the trail.
Inn-to-Inn Bike Touring
Outfitters like Wilderness Voyageurs and the Adventure Cycling Association organize inn-to-inn bike tours on popular rail trails across the country. Inn-to-inn bike touring is a type of bike packing that involves cycling along maintained trails during the day and staying overnight in comfortable lodgings.
Some popular inn-to-inn bike tour routes in the United States suitable for beginners include:
- Coastal Maine Bike Tour: This tour covers scenic coastal towns such as Castine, Blue Hill, and Bar Harbor with daily rides ranging from about 24 to 50 miles over quiet coastal roads and gentle elevations. Accommodation is provided at quality inns like the Sand Bar Cottage Inn, combining comfort with old-world charm.
- Hudson Valley, New York: Featuring bike-friendly hotels like the Diamond Mills Resort, this route offers mostly gentle rolling terrain and traffic-free paths such as the Walkway Over the Hudson bridge. It is well-suited for riders with basic fitness and comfort cycling alongside some traffic on shared roads.
- San Juan Islands, Washington: A 6-day tour cycling mostly on quiet rural roads around islands like Lopez, known for gentle terrain and beautiful marine views. Daily distances are moderate, about 29-38 miles, with lodging at boutique inns like Edenwild Inn, providing a relaxed island experience.
For recommended safety gear on such inn-to-inn bike tours, the essentials include a properly fitted helmet, front and rear bike lights, comfortable cycling clothing, sun protection, water bottles, rain gear/waterproofs, a saddle bag, basic bike tools and repair kit, and a power bank or satellite communicator for safety.
Melissa Moser, a cartographer for the Adventure Cycling Association, suggests carrying a first aid kit, a bike repair kit, a power bank, and a satellite communicator for safety. These gear items help ensure safety, comfort, and preparedness for beginner-friendly inn-to-inn bike tours in the U.S.
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- The Great Allegheny Passage offers scenic routes through pastoral farmland, tumbling waterfalls, flowing rivers, and historic railroad trestles, perfect for travelers seeking meditation, art, journaling, or simply appreciating the beauty of the earth.
- The New River Trail in Southwest Virginia runs through two historic railroad tunnels and is surrounded by forests, making it an ideal destination for cyclists looking for adventure and a touch of history in their lifestyle.
- The George S. Mickelson Trail, passing through the Black Hills National Forest, provides opportunities to explore forested landscapes, cross numerous wooden trestle bridges, and visit historical sites, like the 1880 Train, which chugs through the Black Hills from Hill City to Keystone.
- The Paul Bunyan State Trail in Minnesota takes travelers through boreal forests, wildflower-filled meadows, and numerous freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams, offering a tranquil home-and-garden setting for bike treks and relaxation.
- For those seeking a more guided adventure, outfitters like Wilderness Voyageurs and the Adventure Cycling Association offer inn-to-inn bike tours across the country, taking cyclists along picturesque rail trails, providing comfortable lodging, and ensuring travelers a memorable history-filled travel experience.
