McKinney, Texas, offers an incredible variety of exciting outdoor activities for everyone in your family to enjoy, including numerous biking trails. If you’re interested in exploring the beauty of the area on two wheels, make plans to check out a few of these best biking trails around McKinney.
Erwin Park
Located about 6 miles north of McKinney, Erwin Park is a 212-acre park with a 10-mile mountain bike trail loop. This single track trail traverses open fields and wooded areas, and the surface is mostly firm dirt with a loose, powdery top. When you’re traveling through the open meadows, the trail is primarily smooth and even. When you’re under the trees, however, you’ll be navigating over rocks and roots, which add interesting challenges to the trail.
In addition to the natural ups and downs of the small hills and bumps, you’ll also enjoy a variety of man-made features, such as rock patches and bridges that provide better traction on descents and through muddy parts of the trail. Be sure that you’re prepared for the moderately fast open descent with a 2-foot drop that’s about three-quarters of the way along the trail. As long as you keep moving and don’t hesitate, you should have no issues sticking the landing.
Serenity Park
If you’re looking for a biking trail near McKinney that’s good for kids, head over to Serenity Park. This 16.79-acre park has plenty of amenities, including a pond with a fishing pier, an open playing field, a picnic shelter, and a mostly flat hiking and biking trail that stretches approximately 2 miles round trip. You’ll have no problems finding the beginning of the wide, paved path from the parking lot.
If you follow the path south, you’ll eventually meet up with Eldorado Parkway. Fortunately, there’s a nice tunnel under the parkway, so you won’t have to deal with trying to cross the busy road. After this underpass, the trail follows a creek through a shady wooded area before ending in the Ranch at Hudson Crossing apartment complex.
Once you reach the end of the trail, you can turn around and head back to Serenity Park. On the way back, be sure you make time to stop by the pond and look for turtles, fish, frogs, and birds. If your kids still have energy after their bike ride, the playground at the end of the trail is the perfect place for them to wear themselves out.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
If you travel about 18 miles southwest of McKinney, you’ll find the 200-acre Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. This beautiful stretch of protected land features areas where you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, picnicking, and biking. While hikers will love to explore the 3 miles of unpaved hiking trails that are only open to foot traffic, mountain bikers will appreciate the 3 miles of paved recreational trails and the 2.8-mile off-road bike trail.
One popular paved trail in the preserve is the 1-mile Tower Trail. Along the way, you can stop by the observation tower and take in a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Another fun trail is the 1.3-mile Arbor Hills Loop, which takes you over several bridges that cross the streams that meander through the preserve.
The preserve’s off-road biking area is situated just west of the parking area. While this isn’t an overly technical trail, there are still plenty of twists, turns, and elevation changes that will provide a decent workout. Not only will you enjoy an outstanding aerobic challenge, but this trail also winds through amazingly picturesque natural areas that will make you forget you’re just outside of a city.
Spring Creek Forest Preserve
Whether you’re interested in a soothing ride or a fast-paced spin, the Spring Creek Forest Preserve Trail in Spring Creek Forest Preserve is the place to go. This 14-mile loop trail is perfect for mountain bikers, cross-country runners, hikers, birdwatchers, and pretty much anyone else who wants to get outside and enjoy some quality time surrounded by pristine nature.
The densely shaded preserve is located about 18 miles south of McKinney and covers approximately 116 acres. As you explore the trails in the preserve, slow down and take the time to look up at the 300-year-old trees that have trunks that are nearly 4 feet thick and soar as high as 100 feet into the sky. You’ll also find plenty of smaller trails that branch off of the shared-use path, such as the BelAir Trail, the Hillside Trail, and the North Garland Trail.
Squabble Creek Mountain Bike Trail
The 6-mile trail system at the Squabble Creek Mountain Bike Trail complex, which is located a few miles southeast of McKinney in Rockwall, is ideal for bikers of all skill levels. Here, you’ll find six connected single track loops that include everything from smooth flows to tight and twisty hills. The trail system starts at Loop One with short, steep climbs and sudden switchbacks, and from there, you’ll transition into Loop Two, which begins with a few climbs before heading into some tight turns.
Loop Three throws in a few more twisty sections to keep things interesting, and you’ll also enjoy the rollers along the creek on this part of the trail. Many riders say Loop Four is their favorite section of the trail, because it offers two long roller sections along the creek. Loop Five continues to follow the creek and adds a mix of tight turns and flowing sections. Finally, you can catch Loop Six as it breaks off of Loop Five for a fast, flat trip over swampy ground that circles back to reconnect with Loop Five, so you can finish the circuit.
When those of us at Huffines Kia McKinney want to enjoy some outstanding biking, these are the trails we love to conquer. What are some of your favorite biking trails around McKinney? Please be sure to contact us and let us know so we can explore them as well!