James River Park System - Mountain Bike Trail

Whether you’re looking for easy or expert-level trails, the James River Park System surely has something for everyone. This vast network of parks is home to a lot of connecting routes that can be explored in numerous ways. You’ll never run out of trails to explore, plus the scenic views and natural landscapes will elevate your biking experience. So if you’re looking for a free and accessible mountain biking location, make sure to check out the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia.

Detailed Trail Description

The James River Park System is made up of several trails:

• Buttermilk Trail;
• North Bank Trail;
• Forest Hill Park Loop;
• Belle Isle Trails;
• Dogwood Dell Trail;
• Ancarrow’s East Trail;
• Richmond Slave Trail.

As we have mentioned earlier, there are many ways to explore the James River Park System.

The locals’ go-to route involves the first three on the list. It includes more than a 5-mile loop of the Belle Isle, located offshore right beneath the Robert E. Lee Bridge. Begin from the north shore, then cross Tredegar St. to reach the Belle Isle Trailhead. Then, head south to the Buttermilk Trail and continue west for 2.5 miles along the riverbank. Turn right to Boulevard Bridge, then connect with the mostly wooded, gravel-surfaced North Bank Trail, which runs east for 2.75 miles back to the Robert E. Lee Bridge. Here, you can revel in breathtaking river views while navigating through rocky trails with steep climbs and fast descents.

Meanwhile, the Buttermilk Trail is deemed the most difficult among the trails in this park. This 7.2 km out-and-back trail takes an average of 1 hour and 42 minutes to complete. There are several entrances to this trail, including the one from 21st Street, the Reedy Creek canoe launch area, and the Nickel Bridge. The trail consists of tight, twisty, fast descents and steep climbs with tons of rocks and roots. You may also encounter several creek crossings, bridges, and rock gardens along the way. Plus, there are plenty of beautiful wildflowers and flowering trees that adorn the trail during summer and fall.

You can also take Forest Hill Park, which branches off the Buttermilk Trail and is highly popular with mountain bikers. You can access the trail from the Reedy Creek parking area, and from there, turn left on Riverside Drive and look for the dirt-ish road, which will be both the entrance and exit point of the loop. You can complete a 3.25-mile loop on paved and dirt trails that wind around a pond and the historic stone house called Boscobel. Since the trails here are short, we suggest that you combine them with Buttermilk, North Bank, and Belle Isle to create a longer route.

Additional Trail Features

Fees: The James River Park System is a public space that can be accessed for free by anyone in Richmond.

Obstacles: Trails in the James River Park System are accompanied by easy to moderately challenging obstacles, most of which are rocky, rooted paths with fast descents and steep climbs.

Parking: Free parking is available at several points along the trail:

• The Nickel Bridge Parking Area on Pump Road behind the toll booth for the bridge;
• The Reedy Creek Parking Lot on Riverside Drive;
• The Tredegar Parking Lot on Tredegar Street near the intersection of 5th and Tredegar;
• The Texas Beach Parking Lot on Texas Ave.

Sights of Interest, Landscape, and Views

You can enjoy the relaxing view of the James River, meadows, and forests as you ride along the nature-filled trails. Wildflowers and flowering trees are also abundant during summer and fall.

Recommendations and Precautions

We highly suggest that you print out a trail map to help you navigate the vast 550-acre park.