Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento

Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage, and luckily, kids in the Sacramento area have many cool places where they can get comfortable on wheels. Add in sunshine for most of the year, and a scenic, flat city next to rivers, and you’ve got the ideal environment for riding bikes.

When kids are ready to roll, they’ll have their pick of where to ride bikes in Sacramento. There are pump tracks for all abilities, a mini city for beginner riders, and a vast bike trail that hugs the American River. There’s even a wonderful place where kids can get free used bikes in Sacramento.

Whether kids are beginners or expert bike riders and are looking for something new and different to pedal, these are the best spots in Sacramento that offer fun ways to cruise while practicing pedaling and building confidence along the way.

What is a Bike Pump Track?

If you’ve never heard of a pump track before, you’re not alone! Pump tracks are custom courses typically found in outdoor parks that include bumps and turns requiring bike riders to practice control. Depending on the size of the pump track, courses can range from beginner to advanced for bike riders of all skill levels. They usually consist of dirt or paved courses and keep bike riders flowing continuously around bike pump tracks.

While beginners can definitely practice riding bikes on pump tracks, kids who have mastered bike riding on flat paths may appreciate the extra obstacles that provide more of a fun challenge. Pump tracks are fantastic for balance and for building bike riding skills. They require no pedaling and rely on body movements.

Since bike parks and pump tracks are typically in public parks, they are also free activities in Sacramento for kids. Keep reading below to discover the best pump tracks in the Sacramento area for kids.

Bike Parks and Pump Tracks Near Sacramento for Kids

1. Whitney Park Pump Track Rocklin

The Whitney Park Pump Track is a large, asphalt pump track in Whitney Park. There are two tracks at this pump track. The main track is for skilled bike riders. It includes a challenging course with sharp banked turns and steep rollers, all designed for speed. The adaptive track is smaller and meant for younger children and beginning bike riders. This welcoming, barrier-free space is the first adaptive pump track in the region.

In addition to the pump track, make a day of it in Whitney Park, which is home to one of the best splash pads in the Sacramento area and a three-story playground.

Whitney Park Pump Track Address: 1801 Whitney Ranch Parkway, Rocklin, CA 95765

2. Fair Oaks Bike Park at Phoenix Park Fair Oaks

Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento: Fair Oaks Bike Park
Practice bike riding skills at the Fair Oaks Bike Park. Photo courtesy of Fair Oaks Recreation & Park District

The Fair Oaks Bike Park has dirt berms, also known as bumps and banked turns. There’s also the skills course, which includes wood tracks and tunnels, providing bike riders the opportunity to practice skills.

Phoenix Park in Fair Oaks also has two playgrounds and is home to the Phoenix Park Vernal Pools. The Vernal Pools are typically in bloom from March to May.

Fair Oaks Bike Park at Phoenix Park Address: 9050 Sunset Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

3. Old Depot Bike Park Placerville

The Old Depot Bike Park is an asphalt pump track with several bumps and turns. There’s an area that has giant dirt jumps that experienced bike riders will find thrilling. Another bonus is the children’s play area. A bike repair station is also at the Old Depot Bike Park.

Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento: Old Depot Bike Park in Placerville
Turn and jump at the Old Depot Bike Park in Placerville. Photo courtesy of El Dorado County

The Old Depot Bike Park is an access point to the El Dorado Trail. Traveling east will take you to the Weber Creek Trestle bridge and the city of Placerville. Traveling west will take you to the Historical Railroad Park, which has a playground.

Old Depot Bike Park Address: 40 Old Depot Rd, Placerville, CA 95667

4. Elk Grove Bike Park at Elk Grove Park Elk Grove

Elk Grove Bike Park is a dirt bike park in Elk Grove Park. Beginners can traverse the course, while skilled riders can test the large jumps. It’s a relatively big bike park, but word is that there’s no clear progression on the course, and it’s a bit of a free-for-all. That said, it’s wonderful that Elk Grove has a bike park for kids of all skill levels to test out.

Elk Grove Bike Park Address: 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Rd., Elk Grove, CA 95624

5. Regency Community Park North Natomas

In comparison to other bike parks and pump tracks on this list, the bike park in North Natomas is quite small. While others have large dirt jumps and bumps, this one is more compact on a concrete structure with a few bumps and turns. There is another section that has a wooden bridge and a tunnel.

Regency Community Park also has a playground, a nine-hole disc golf course, and a skate park.

Regency Community Park Address: 5500 Honor Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95835

6. Davis Bike Park at Community Park Davis

The most bicycle-friendly town in the United States, with a high-wheel bicycle in its city logo, and home to the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, knows a thing or two about bike riding. The Davis Bike Park is in Community Park. Children of all ages can safely cycle at this pump track in Davis. Navigate turns, intersections, and various paths in a compact, enclosed area for off-road cycling.

Community Park Address: 203 E 14th St, Davis, CA 95616

7. Auburn Bike Park Auburn

At 9 acres, the Auburn Bike Park is massive! It’s also situated in a scenic location, overlooking the American River Canyon. There are six different dirt tracks and trails, as well as a dual slalom for advanced riders. The dedicated “Tyke’s Turns” Track is for children under the age of 5 who are learning how to ride a bike. Various other pump tracks at the bike park include switchback turns, rollercoaster-like bumps, and berms.

Auburn Bike Park Address: Maidu Dr, Auburn, CA 95603

Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento
Cruise over to one of the many pump tracks in the Sacramento area.

Pump Tracks Near Sacramento Coming Soon

8. Westacre Park West Sacramento

Westacre Park in West Sacramento is opening soon! At the time of this article’s publishing, it’s due to open in spring 2026. It’s going to be quite the park with one of the most unique playground structures near Sacramento, where kids can climb into a school bus and slide down from a bus window (yes, seriously!). There are not many details about the pump track, but it will be one of the new features at this West Sacramento park.

9. Cummings Family Skate & Bike Park Folsom

The Cummings Family Skate & Bike Park is currently undergoing major renovations, which will bring improvements to the bike park and transform it into an outdoor recreation hub in Folsom. At the time of this article’s publishing, the newly reimagined Folsom Bike Park is due to open in summer 2026. Updates to the bike park include beginner, intermediate, and advanced tracks for all skill levels.

10. Campus Oaks Parks Roseville

Not many details are known yet about the brand-new bike park that will eventually be in Campus Oaks Park in Roseville. We know that this park will be an adventure sports park in Roseville. Currently, it’s home to a custom Ninja Course, ideal for teens. A skate and bike park will also be added to the park, making it an action-packed outdoor destination.

Best Family-Friendly Bike Trails in Sacramento

11. Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail / American River Parkway Trail Sacramento

When you think of the best bike trail in Sacramento, one trail comes to mind: the American River Parkway trail. This 32-mile trail is flat and family-friendly, making it a great option for bike riders of all skill levels.

Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova - American River Trail
Hagan Community Park connects to the family-friendly American River trail for bike riding.

The American River Parkway trail officially begins at Discovery Park in Sacramento and ends at Beal’s Point in Folsom. However, there are many different access points along the American River Parkway and in Folsom to pick up the trail.

One of the best family-friendly access points for the American River Parkway Trail with kids is Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova. There is a $6 vehicle entry fee to access the park. In addition to easy access to the American River Parkway Trail, kids can feed farm animals at Hagan Community Barn, take seasonal steam train rides on the first weekend of the month, and enjoy playgrounds in the park.

12. Johnny Cash Trail Folsom

Kids might not know who Johnny Cash is. But parents will likely understand the connection between Johnny Cash and his history with Folsom, specifically his performances and live album At Folsom Prison. It just so happens that Folsom also has the 2.5-mile Johnny Cash Trail, which is perfect for family-friendly bike rides.

The easiest way to access the trail is to park in the Folsom City Lions parking lot, which is shared by the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, Folsom Public Library, and Dan Russell Rodeo Arena (just make sure there’s no rodeo that day!). Including these activities, make it an ideal day of fun activities in Folsom with kids. Starting the trail at this access point is also the easiest way to access Historic Folsom from the Johnny Cash trail.

13. Camden Park Elk Grove

With flat paths along the beautiful Camden Lake, Camden Park is perfect for bikers of all skill levels. Kids will love seeing all the wildlife. There are two fantastic playgrounds to encounter along this walking and bike path in Elk Grove, including Mix Park and MacDonald Park. These two playgrounds are 11 minutes apart on foot or 2 minutes by bike.

Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento: Camden Park in Elk Grove
Camden Park in Elk Grove is scenic and perfect for flat bike rides.

Biking or walking in Camden Park is beautiful all year, but during autumn, it becomes one of the best fall activities in Elk Grove. This trail is also easy to combine with the Del Meyer Park Nature Trail, as the two connect.

More Places Where Kids Can Learn to Ride Bikes Near Sacramento

14. Safetyville USA Rancho Cordova

If kids aren’t quite ready for pump tracks yet, Safetyville USA is a great place to introduce them to bike riding. If you haven’t heard of Safetyville USA before, it’s a 1/3-scale city. Expect crosswalks, signs, stoplights, and buildings, including a mini Sacramento City Hall, a fire station, a grocery store, and even a dentist. Safetyville USA provides a safe space in a unique real-life city setting where kids can practice riding bikes and gain more confidence.

Safetyville USA has a wide range of events for families. Some of their most popular events are their bike rodeos geared for kids aged 1-12 years old. You can bring your own bike or rent one of theirs (some events have bike rental fees, while some provide them for free). They even have some bikes with training wheels. Another bonus is that they provide helmets and assist kids with appropriate helmet fittings. At some of their events, you get to take the helmets home!

I often include Safetyville USA events in the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar, so this is a great place to check for their future bike riding events. They also host birthday parties.

Safetyville USA Address: 3909 Bradshaw Rd, Sacramento, CA 95827

Best Places for Kids to Ride Bikes in Sacramento
There are many free bike events for kids in Sacramento throughout the year.

15. Clipped In For Life Events Folsom

Clipped In For Life is a nonprofit based in Folsom that focuses on providing opportunities for people of all abilities and ages to incorporate cycling into their lives. They host several biking events for kids throughout the year, and I add these events to the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar. Many of their events are free. Additionally, they provide balance bike bashes for younger kids, learn-to-ride classes, and have one of the best summer camps in Sacramento.

Where to Get a Free Bike for Your Child

Did you know that kids can get a free used bike in Sacramento? Yes, it’s true!

To encourage cycling, the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen offers free used bikes to all children under 18. To receive a free used bike, parents must be present with their children. One bike per child is allowed.

Receiving bikes depends on the inventory available at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen at the time, and they come as-is. Likewise, you can donate bikes to the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen. Receiving a free used bike from the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen is a fantastic way for children in need to get access to bikes and outdoor recreation in Sacramento.

In addition to kids receiving free bikes, the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen also offers free DIY shop time. Families can bring in youth bicycles during open shifts to learn maintenance first-hand and how to make bicycle repairs with oversight from volunteer mechanics at the shop.

Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen Address: 1915 I St, Sacramento, CA 95811

Spring Bike Riding

While riding bikes in Sacramento is doable all year, there’s something about pedaling in the spring after the rain is over and before the hot weather begins. Bike riding is one of the must-do spring activities in Sacramento for families. May is also National Bike Month, so there tend to be many kid-friendly bike events in the spring.

Tips for Riding with Kids in Sacramento

  • While Sacramento has sunshine for most of the year, it gets hot! Go bike riding early in the day when the weather is cooler.
  • Bring lots of water when going bike riding.
  • Always ride bikes with helmets, and ensure they fit children.
  • If kids are testing out pump tracks for the first time, extra protective gear such as knee and elbow guards might be helpful.
  • Bike parks and pump tracks will close in inclement weather or muddy conditions.

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