The 5 best family bike rides near Salem, Oregon

It shouldn't come as much of a shock that children riding a bicycle — as opposed to watching television and video games — is beneficial.

After all, riding a bike gets you outdoors and exercising, which is always superior to laying around. 

To encourage families to get out on two wheels, here are five of the best family bike rides near Salem that don't require dealing with car traffic. 

These rides are less than 8 miles, generally flat and follow paved roads where cars are not a concern.

5: Riverfront Park to Wallace Marine Park

The central hub for downtown activity in Salem, Riverfront Park offers paved loops and access to the Union Street Railroad bridge that crosses the Willamette River to Wallace Marine Park. It makes for a nice few miles of riding.

While this area currently stands at just No. 5, its ranking should raise dramatically with projects planned for the future — Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge and Wallace Bike Park.

With those two improvements, bikers would be able to ride from Minto-Brown Island Park to Riverfront Park to Wallace Marine's new trails system, covering more than 20 miles.

Directions/route: Start at Riverfront Park's main parking area. Ride the loops around Riverfront Park and make your way to Union Street Railroad Bridge, cross over and check out the Willamette River before turning around. Coordinates: 44.943409, -123.042028.

4: Silver Falls State Park

Better known for hiking among waterfalls, Oregon's largest state park also features a popular 4-mile paved loop and mountain bike options for younger riders. 

There are zero waterfall views from these trails, but highlights include big trees, dense forest and places to work on your skills. 

"It goes through a section of old-growth temperate rainforest and some really neat meadows," Kevin Strandberg, park manager at Silver Falls told the Statesman Journal last spring. "It's beautiful and a lot less busy than the (Trail of Ten Waterfalls)."

The paved trail begins from the South Falls Day Use Area, crosses the road twice and loops around Winter Creek.

The mountain bike loop is known as the Newt Loop, and it features 1.3 miles of riding close to the Catamount Trail. 

Directions/route: From Salem, follow Highway 22 toward Aumsville. Exit onto Silver Falls Highway 214 and follow signs to park. Start on the far side of South Falls Day Use area. Follow the signs for a bike trail, cross the entrance road twice and reach the loop that circles Winter Creek. Coordinates: 44.872279, -122.648697

3: Minto-Brown Island State Park

Seven miles of trail criss-cross this park of riparian forest, ponds and Willamette River views.

Trails are flat, easy and well-marked for parents touring their children through old farm fields and floodplain.

Though options are many, I enjoy parking at the first trailhead on the right as you enter the park and following the paved trail around the park's perimeter, including a stretch along the river, before finishing the loop.

Directions: From downtown Salem, follow Commercial Street south 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Owens Street (following pointers for Minto-Brown Island Park) for 1.1 miles and continue onto River Road south. Turn right onto Minto-Island Park Road and make a quick right turn into the first trailhead. Coordinates: 44.921587, -123.058918

2: Willamette Mission State Park

This 1,680-acre backyard gem is home to lakes, river beaches, orchards, farmland, history, the nation's largest black cottonwood and just about anything else a person could associate with the Willamette Valley.

The paved bike trails total 4 miles, but it's possible to add another 4 to 6 by following horse trails on a mountain bike.

My favorite route begins at the Wheatland Ferry Trailhead and follows a paved trail along the banks of the Willamette River through a lush riparian forest of cottonwood, ash and maple trees. After 2.5 miles, either continue onto the dirt trails for the longer loop or follow the pavement left to complete the loop.

Directions: About a 20- to 25-minute drive from Salem. From Salem, follow Liberty Street NE for 1.5 miles and continue onto River Road North for 3 miles through Keizer. Turn left at Wheatland Road, following pointers for the park, for 5.2 miles. Turn left at Wheatland Road, following pointers to Wheatland Ferry. The trailhead is next to the ferry loading area on the left. A day-use fee is $5 Coordinates: 45.089731, -123.043984.

1: Champoeg State Heritage Area

The top family-friendly bicycle trip not only features river views and riparian forest but also includes a stop for a sweet treat at the oldest store in Oregon.

For an 8 mile out-and-back trip, start at the Riverside Day Use Area within the state park. The pathway passes historical markers and winds deep into the forest, home to a population of western bluebirds.

"One of the things I really appreciate is how well it's laid out," said Austin Wallace, who often brings his 8-year-old daughter Claire to the park to ride. "Even when it gets busy in the summer, the layout is spaced so the trail feels very peaceful. It never feels crammed."

After 4 miles, follow signs to Butteville Store (established in 1863), where treats such as sandwiches and ice cream can be had.

The trail's collection of history, forest and wildlife is good enough you won't need to bribe your child onto their bike, but being able to offer an ice cream treat never hurts.

Directions: About a 35- to 40-minute drive from Salem. From Salem, follow Interstate 5 north to exit 278 and follow signs about 6 miles to the park. Coordinates: 45.25535, -122.904251.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for six years. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. For more news, adventures and trips see Our Oregon Outdoors on Facebook or ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter.