It’s no secret — Bend is a great mountain bike city for all ages. Incorporated into the city’s many trail systems, as well as many of the parks around town, are kid-friendly trails. These trails get the whole family — even little ones on balance bikes — outside, experiencing Bend’s singletrack.

Biking with kids in Bend is especially fun thanks to a mountain bike scene built with progression in mind, making it easy for kids to build skills as they grow. Children can start by riding short trails and attempting techniques at neighborhood parks while developing the stamina and skills needed on some of the region’s longer singletrack. Eventually, kids will hit the same jumps as the pros.

So, if you are wondering where to head on your next family mountain bike adventure, you’ve come to the right place. From toddler-friendly fun to jumps and drops that will scare any parent, we’ve got you covered. Curious about e-bikes for your family ride? Check out our e-bike article to learn more about where you can ride them, where you can’t, rules, and other tips.

Beginner trails

Bend has some great city parks to help the littlest riders, even those on balance bikes, build confidence. Best of all, these parks are within Bend city limits!

Rockridge Park

On Bend’s northeast side is Rockridge Park. Rockridge consists of a roughly half-mile beginner bike path circling the 36-acre park. Trail riders can find smaller off-shoots from this main trail, with ladder bridges, log rides, and some (beginner-friendly) technical rock sections. Rockridge also has a dirt pump track where riders can work on keeping speed and momentum, as well as cornering skills. It’s a favorite for kid-friendly mountain biking in Bend.

Stone Creek Park

Stone Creek is on Bend’s southeast side, right in the middle of nearby neighborhoods. It has gravel, multi-use paths that loop around and intersect the park, a small dirt pump track, wooden ladder bridges, and offshoot trails. This park also gives beginner riders a great taste of elevation — just enough climbing and cruising to build confidence without burning them out.

The lookout at the top of Stone Creek Park offers spectacular views of surrounding buttes, including the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

Big Sky Park

Located on Bend’s east side, Big Sky Park has a bit of everything: ball fields, a playground, and mountain biking trails. Big Sky also has the only asphalt pump track in Bend. Paid for, in part, by the Bend Sustainability Fund, this pump track differs from the smaller dirt pump tracks at parks like Rockridge and Stone Creek. It is bigger, faster, and flows easier, although finding that flow will require some practice and progression. But track builders thought of that, too! A smaller course for newer riders is immediately adjacent to the main pump track. 

If you are looking for something other than a pump track, Big Sky has a series of bike paths throughout the park. While some take riders around the perimeter of the park, others are closer in and allow riders to test their skills on ladder bridges and technical rock features. But don’t worry, if younger riders aren’t ready, easier go-arounds are available.

Shevlin Park

For the final step in progression and the opportunity to experience legitimate singletrack, head over to Shevlin Park. Not only does Shevlin have wider, bike path-style gravel trails, but it also has a four-plus mile singletrack loop, appropriately named the Shevlin Park Loop. While most of the trail is fast, flowy singletrack, you can expect some fun, punchy climbs and a few techy sections. And if four miles is too much for your little one, no problem! The Shevlin Park Loop is multidirectional; just turn around and head back.

Intermediate Trails

As kids get older and more confident on their bikes, they might want to move on to the next level. Fortunately, there are lots of intermediate bike trails in Bend including some fun trailheads where the whole family can have fun.

Phil’s Trailhead and skills area

Bend’s largest and most well-known trailhead is Phil’s. Several trails can be accessed from Phils, all of which are relatively easy. However, it is important to note that some trails are directional and only climb or descend. Classic loops like Ben’s/Phil’s are over 10 miles and must be ridden counterclockwise, so there’s no turning back if your kiddo gets tired. Shorter loops off Ben’s are possible, but the connecting trails, such as KGB and Voodoo, are more technically challenging. 

Sticking to Kent’s or Marvin’s Garden, might be a safe place to start. These trails are multidirectional, meaning you can pedal as far as you want, turn around, and head back. Remember, the promise of ice cream is always a great motivator to get your kids back to the trailhead when you turn around!

Phil’s Trailhead also has a skills area with small and medium dirt pump tracks, rock drops, and dirt jumps that progress in size. This is an excellent spot for families with riders of all ages and abilities, as younger ones can stay with one parent at the pump tracks, and older ones can go out with the other, enjoying miles of singletrack. It’s an all-time spot for mountain biking with kids.

Cascade Welcome Station

Just as you leave Bend on the Cascade Lakes Highway is the Cascade Welcome Station. Several trails can be accessed from the parking area, including Ticket to Ride, a classic Bend loop. Climbing and descending over 500ft in six miles, this loop can be ridden in either direction. Fast, flowy pedal sections give way to chunkier bits of trail and even some optional rock features. 

Trails like Upper Grand Slam and Catch and Release are other options if everyone is up for a greater challenge. While some of these sections might be tough, they are a great place to practice your skills and progress. Visibility is good, so the option of sessioning these rockier bits of trail is always an option. Plus, these tech sections are fairly short, making them an easy walk if they are too challenging.

Wanoga Trailhead and skills area

Halfway to Mt. Bachelor is the Wanoga Trailhead, where two of Bend’s favorite trails — Funner and Tiddlywinks — can easily be accessed. Both trails have a mix of flow and challenging rocky sections, giving them a proper intermediate rating. Wanoga also has a skill park with jumps and drops that are a bit more advanced than the one at Phil’s. The skills park and plenty of room to spread out make it the perfect trailhead to spend the whole day. Pack a lunch, bring plenty of beverages, and take turns watching the kids build their biking skills while parents ride the nearby trails.

Advanced Trails

Bend has a phenomenal network of beginner and intermediate trails. But it isn’t without its more advanced trail systems.

The Lair

Thrill-seeking riders will find their fix at The Lair, with dirt jumps that make parents nervous and drops that make the pro riders hesitate. However, The Lair has smaller, more manageable tabletop jumps and good progression. Before hitting those, riders should already feel confident about jumping at places like Wanoga and Phil’s.

Mt. Bachelor Bike Park

We can’t discuss advanced trails without mentioning Bend’s bike park at Mt. Bachelor, which is only 25 miles from downtown. While the park has beginner, intermediate, advanced, and pro-rated trails, keep in mind that everything is more advanced at a downhill bike park. For kids wanting their first taste of proper gravity riding, the Little Pine chair lift is a great place to start.