Whether you are looking for intense exercise or simply looking to enjoy the outdoors on a bright sunny day, taking a bicycle ride can be a very fulfilling activity. Where can I ride my bike in the Baton Rouge area? Well, we are glad you asked! Air up your tires and give one of these options a spin.

LSU Lakes - Baton Rouge

The LSU Lakes provide a beautiful backdrop to your bicycle ride. Enjoy the abundant shade the trees cast while you bike the approximate 5.5 miles around University Lake and City Park Lake. You can park at BREC's Milford Wampold Memorial Park on Stanford Ave. The park has restrooms and a picnic area where you can relax and watch the sun set after your ride. This bike ride is completely paved. Some areas have sidewalks, and traffic is slow-going and light on most streets as the area is generally heavily populated with walkers, joggers, and bikers. 

LSU Campus - Baton Rouge

Biking the LSU Campus can be a very relaxing experience as you ride by the Parade Grounds, Memorial Tower, Tiger Stadium, and LSU's live mascot -- Mike the Tiger. If you ride on a weekday, dip into the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store for ice cream or a milkshake. You won't have to worry about traffic other than Nicholson Dr and Highland Rd, but those can be crossed at various red lights and stop signs with cross walks. Take your exercise a gear higher by riding down Skip Bertman Dr where you can hop on the paved trail on top of the Mississippi River Levee.

Mississippi River Levee - Baton Rouge

Ride bikes along the mighty Mississippi and its approximately 12 miles of paved trail on the levee. This path expands from downtown Baton Rouge, passes along the LSU campus, and ends at L'Auberge Casino. You can park downtown and enter the levee on Florida St or you can park at the LSU Veterinarian School at Skip Bertman Dr and ride North to downtown or South to L'Auberge.

Downtown Baton Rouge

Take in the sights of downtown Baton Rouge and pedal past the Louisiana State Capitol building, the old State Capitol Building, the Old Governor's Mansion, the Pentagon Barracks Museum, Capitol Lake, and the USS Kidd.

The Health Loop Trail - Baton Rouge

BREC is currently working on a 13 mile trail that will connect Baton Rouge's Medical District and shopping. Some stretches are already completed like the path that begins in back of Perkins Road Park, cuts behind Pennington Biomedical Research Center along scenic Dawson Creek, and ends on Trail Drive. Another completed stretch connects the Mall of Louisiana to Siegen Lane Marketplace along Ward Creek. Upon completion, trails will connect Kenilworth Parkway, Perkins Road, Essen Lane, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Siegen Lane, and Pecue Lane. 

Bayou Paul - St. Gabriel, Iberville Parish

Though there is little-to-no shoulder and no sidewalks, the route consisting of Bayou Paul Rd, Bayou Paul Ln, Manchac Rd, and Alligator Bayou Rd is a gorgeous bicycle ride. This is a popular bike trek for those who live in Ascension Parish and the city of St. Gabriel where motorists have speed limits that do not exceed 20 miles per hour and are urged to share the road with cyclists via plenty of signage. You will forget that you are just outside of the capital city as you speed through the curvy road shaded from the sun by the dense trees. Park at Alligator Bayou and start your city-life-getaway on two wheels. 

Nottoway Plantation - White Castle, Iberville Parish

Cross over the Mississippi River and travel down to Nottoway Plantation where you can rent bicycles and tour the scenic grounds. Then cross the street and ride the gravel path on the Mississippi River Levee as the tugboats pass by you. While you are there, take a guided or self-guided tour to learn the history of the plantation.

Comite River Park and Hooper Road Park - Central / Baton Rouge

These two off-road trails are located near each other off of Hooper Rd. Comite River Park is located right off of Hooper Rd and Hooper Rd Park is located at the end Guynell Dr in a subdivision off of Hooper. The Hooper Road Park Trail has 1.4 to 5 mile loops and Comite River Park runs 5.5 miles of advanced biking terrain. Both trailheads have water fountains, restrooms, and parking.

Other Bicycle Destinations beyond the Baton Rouge Area

Tammany Trace - St. Tammany Parish

This asphalt trail spans 31 miles through Covington, Abita Springs, Mandeville, Lacombe, and Slidell. While riding you may catch glimpses of wildlife as you pass along bayous, streams, and rivers. Take a breather and grab some refreshments from one of the restaurants along the ride. The Trace has many trailheads and places to park and you can rent bicycles there as well. Abita Springs also hosts an annual bicycle festival on the day before Father's Day.