Looking for an exciting biking spot with great mountain biking trails near Charlotte, NC? Airline Bike Park in Charlotte is the place to ride. With free access, exciting trails, and features built for fun and progression, it’s an awesome option for older kids, teens, and parents who want a real trail experience with a lot of variety.
Our Visit to Airline Bike Park
We visited on a Saturday and couldn’t believe how uncrowded it was. Whether you’re new to mountain biking or looking to level up, Airline is packed with fun without the pressure. All the riders we met were so encouraging and just happy to have people sharing the trails.
My son, age 15, and my husband loaded up their bikes and helmets for this visit and they found this park to be one of the better places they’ve biked in our area. We drove about an hour to check this one out and they both agree it was well worth it. We will definitely be back.
The park is in its soft opening phase. That means it is a work in progress. For example, you won’t see a sign when you pull into the parking lot, but your map app will take you right there.
Watch! Our ride
If you arrive and you are unsure where you want to go, just ask a fellow rider, or find the larger trail map just off the main parking area by the green trail. There are two parking areas and you will find this map by going past the first parking area and turning left to the second parking area.
Trails are open on the weekends, right now. But we can expect those hours to grow as the park does. Eventually, the plans are for Airline Bike Park to be a central part of a larger trail system in the area.
Know Before You Go Quik Summary: Airline Bike Park
Cost: Totally free
Navigation: No park sign at the road—just plug “Airline Bike Park” into your GPS and it will take you to the driveway of the parking lot.
Parking: Two options:
- The first lot on the left as you enter.
- A shaded lot further in if you follow the road left—this is closest to the green trail.
Restrooms: We saw no restrooms on site.
Maps: Trail maps are posted at the entrance to the green trail at the parking lot, at Gravity Terminal, and at some intersections.
Surface: Trails are a mix of dirt, gravel, roots, and features—no pavement here!
The Trails at Airline Bike Park
Airline Bike Park is designed for a variety of riders with trail riding and jump lines. The trails are exciting but definitely with accessible options, giving older kids, teens, and adults plenty of room to ride, progress, and explore.
Gravity Terminal – For Air-Time Seekers
This exciting part of the park features progressive jump lines designed for riders who want to fly.
The Gravity terminal area includes beginner-friendly and more advanced lines. Green is easiest, it’s called Flight School and you’ll find it to the right as you enter Gravity terminal. Blue is harder, and also where we saw the most riders. You access it off the wooden platform at Gravity Terminal. Black is the hardest and most advanced line with very big jumps (too hard for us!), it also starts on the platform.
The riders we spent time with at the Gravity Terminal were all very kind and encouraging of us and one another. We love that about mountain biking.
Access the Gravity Terminal via the Concourse from the parking lot. Since this is an Airline themed park, you’ll find creative airport names. The Concourse is simply a wide two way gravel and dirt connector trail with branches through the park.
Green Cross-Country Trail – Easier, But Rooty
- This single track trail is located right by the shaded parking lot.
- This green trail is shorter and less technical, but still has roots and uneven terrain—a nice starting point for riders newer to trails.
- It is a loop but the trail also connects into the larger blue trail loop if you’re ready to extend your ride. You can also exit onto the Concourse in a couple areas.
The best trail map in the park is located at the entrance to this green trail. It’s a good place to start your day so you have an idea where you’re headed.
Blue Cross-Country Trail – A Full-Park Ride
- Loops around the entire perimeter of the park.
- This intermediate-level cross-country trail includes berms and flowing turns with some speed-friendly sections.
- Direction switches daily:
- Odd-numbered days = more downhill fun
- Even-numbered days = more climbing
- Great for tweens, teens, and adults looking for a longer, energetic ride with variety.
You can acces this blue trail from about midway through the green loop, accessed from the parking area. Or, from the concourse. There are actually a number of intersections, so just check the map if you are unsure. Pictured here is the odd day exit from the trail to the concourse.
Pump Track – Practice & Play
- Built for all ages, but especially useful for riders practicing balance, speed, and cornering.
- If you have younger riders, this is where you’ll want to bring them.
- Great for warm-ups or post-ride fun.
- To access this pump track head down the Concourse from the parking lot and turn right onto the Baggage Claim 2-way trail.
A No-Cost Adventure
Whether you’re looking to explore a new trail system as a family or challenge your older rider with something fresh, Airline Bike Park is a great choice. It’s low-key, fun, and free—just bring your bikes, helmets, and water bottles and get ready for a trail day you’ll want to repeat.
✈️ Ridden Airline Bike Park with your older kids or teens? Let us know your favorite trail in the comments!
Airline Bike Park
8025 Dixie River Road, Charlotte, NC 28278
Airline Bike Park Website
Find more amazing things to do in Charlotte, NC
AND, check out this list especially for teens: Things to Do with Teens in Charlotte, NC
