Special Features

Take in the sights and sounds of spring and explore some of the best mountain bike trails, rail trails or bicycle paths in Connecticut. Winter snow amounts are lower and temperatures higher than in northern New England, especially nearer to the coast. The biking season gets an earlier start here.

The White Memorial Foundation and Conservation Center, in the beautiful Litchfield hills of Western Connecticut, is one of the best places to ride with the whole family. Miles of woods roads are open year-round for biking. Some trails gently roll through fields exploding with wildflowers, woodlands and skirt along edges of beaver ponds and marshy areas. Combine a ride this spring with a fun, educational experience. Learn the Art of Maple Sugaring, take a guided nature walk, or take part in workshops offered by the Environmental Education Center.

The Hop River State Park Trail in Central Connecticut (shown above right) and The Airline Rail Trail (South) are both very picturesque during the spring. The trails pass through woodlands, state parks and small towns. Besides waterfalls, trails edged with mountain laurel, and remnants of railroad bridges, wildlife can be observed along the trails.

Mansfield Hollow State Park & Wildlife Management Area has trails that loop around northern Mansfield Hollow Lake and through former pastures on smooth singletrack. A variety of obstacles make this a good ride for intermediate riders or beginners looking to advance their skills. During the spring seasonal migration, waterfowl return to the wetlands.

From the southeastern coast and Cape Cod to the Berkshires in the west,  Massachusetts is home to some of the most beautiful forests and state parks.

Myles Standish State Forest located in Plymouth County is one of the best places to ride in early spring when other Massachusetts trails are unrideable during the spring thaw. The endless network of forest trails and roads and a 15 mile bicycle path will provide many ride options.

Beginning in mid April, The Blue Hills Reservation offers a springtime outdoor recreation oasis only 10 miles south of Boston. There are scenic views from atop many of the 22 hills of the Blue Hill chain. The Reserve is also rich in archeological and historic resources.

Within easy reach of New York City and Boston, the Berkshires are a multi-seasonal bike getaway. Cycle the backcountry Berkshire hills or try the wide forest roads and multi-use trails that cut through deep woods, past scenic wetlands and beaver ponds at October Mountain State Forest or Beartown State Forest later in the spring.

Maudslay State Park (pictured above right), in the Northeast Region, features rolling meadows, towering pines, exquisite 19th century gardens and one of the largest naturally-occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. The relatively flat double-track carriage roads provide easy, scenic and romantic riding in the spring. The best time to go is when the ornamental trees and masses of azaleas and rhododendrons bloom in May and June.

What better time to experience the Cape Cod Rail Trail than during the spring, before the traffic and crowds of summer. It is the perfect scenic, family friendly bike ride. The trail is paved, but you can also access the miles of mountain bike trails and woods roads in Nickerson State Park or the Cape Cod National Seashore bike trails.

Biking the scenic canal towpath at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, in the Central Region, is an absolute must for history lovers. The area is characterized by the 46-mile Blackstone River, rolling countryside, farmland, meadows and quaint New England villages.

This small New England State is a gem, boasting hundreds of miles of breathtaking beaches, rich and dramatic history and thousands of acres of magnificent parks. All within an hour’s drive, bike routes throughout the Rhode Island Regions converge into one spring adventure destination.

Pack a picnic lunch and binoculars and bike around Block Island during the spring when gently rolling hills and fields are blanketed with wildflowers and before the summer crowds have arrived. Two Audubon sactuaries are located here and more than 150 bird species have been recorded. One of the best times for bird watching is during spring migration. Some of the best birding spots are on the bluffs at the northern and southern ends of the island.

A network of multi-use trails and dirt roads wind through the George Washington Management Area, providing great mountain biking opportunities. If you want an uncrowded place to ride this spring, this is it. Within this 3,500 acre area are woodlands, cedar swamps, hemlock forests, ponds, and forestry demonstration and experimental areas.

A new 2-mile section of the Blackstone River Bikeway stretches from Manville to Woonsocket, Rhode Island. A highlight along this route is the Manville Dam, where a 160-foot wide waterfall drops 19 feet to the level of the river. Benches at this overlook provides cyclists a spot to rest and admire the river views. A canoe launch is also available for those who wish to see the river north of the dam from a different perspective.

The East Bay Bicycle Path (pictured above right) is one of the few paved trails we include in the site and a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful spring outing. Running from Providence through Bristol, it provides an unobstructed cycling opportunity along the shores of Narragansett Bay. It takes you past coves and marshes, over bridges and through several Rhode Island State Parks. The views of the waterways are stunning.