Alabama · Hiking

Family Bike Loop

1.8 mi
round trip
187 ft
climb
1,768 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Clear at last check

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 15 h ago

Is Family Bike Loop open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists an alert for Little River Canyon National Preserve.

  • SEASONAL SAFETY MESSAGE

    Park alert covering Little River Canyon National Preserve · NPS · Little River Canyon National Preserve

As of · Source: NPS · Little River Canyon National Preserve. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Family Bike Loop is an easy, out-and-back route of about 3.6 miles that sits at the edge of Little River Canyon National Preserve and DeSoto State Park in Alabama, where State Park and Recreation manages the land. The loop is a short, low-effort outing, with a total elevation gain of about 187 feet and a high point of 1,768 feet. It is a practical choice for a quick ride or walk, and the route is marked as allowing bikes. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Valley Head show October highs around 72°F with lows near 48°F, and April is similar at about 70°F by day. That station sits roughly 650 feet lower than the loop, so temperatures on the trail run a little cooler. The loop makes an easy pairing with other trails in the area. Knotty Pine Mountain Bike Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the White Trail and Silver Trail are each about 0.3 mile off. Climbers can head to Winter Wall, about 2.1 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Family Bike Loop

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 30°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 32°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 39°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      77° / 55°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 63°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 67°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 33°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Valley Head, AL, 4.9 mi away at 1,121 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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