Riverton Bike Park: A Thrilling Destination for Young Riders

A place where older kids can challenge themselves, build real mountain biking skills, and spend hours riding without ever leaving the park.

Unlike many playgrounds or paved bike paths, Riverton Bike Park was designed specifically for progression. Every feature encourages riders to practice, improve, and try something just a little more challenging than the last lap.

Built on the site of the Riverton Trolley Park, this community-built destination has become Portland’s first public bike park, offering a compact network of pump tracks, jump lines, skills features, and wooded singletrack trails that appeal to riders who already have a solid foundation on two wheels.

If your child loves mountain biking, BMX riding, or simply wants somewhere to practice beyond the neighborhood streets, this is one of the best places in southern Maine to visit.

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Location & Access

Location: 822 Riverside St, Portland
Parking: Small parking area available near the entrance.

The park is built into a relatively small footprint, which makes it easy to move between different riding areas without long walks. Everything is close together, creating an energetic atmosphere where riders are constantly practicing, watching one another, and trying new features.

What Makes This Spot Different

Pump Track

The pump track is the center of the park and usually the busiest area.

Instead of pedaling, riders generate speed by shifting their weight through a series of rollers and berms.

Continuous looping course
Great for improving bike handling
Fun to ride repeatedly without stopping
Popular with BMX bikes and mountain bikes

Even experienced riders spend plenty of time here refining their technique.

Progressive Jump Lines

One of Riverton’s biggest strengths is the opportunity to progress.

Several jump lines and riding features allow kids and adults to work their way up over time.

You’ll find:

Small practice rollers
Tabletop jumps
Bermed corners
More advanced features for experienced riders

Rather than being designed around speed, the park encourages riders to develop confidence and bike control.

Skills Features

Throughout the park you’ll find additional technical elements designed to help riders improve.

These include features such as:

Wooden skinnies
Balance obstacles
Technical trail features
Rock features
Small drops

These areas let riders practice specific mountain biking skills in a controlled environment before taking them onto longer trails.

Wooded Singletrack Trails

Beyond the riding features, Riverton includes short sections of flowing wooded singletrack.

These narrow dirt trails weave through the trees and connect different parts of the park.

Expect:

Tight turns
Small elevation changes
Natural terrain
A true mountain biking feel despite being located within the city

The wooded trails help break up time spent on the pump track and skills areas while giving riders a chance to practice trail riding.

Built by the Riding Community

One of the things that makes Riverton Bike Park unique is how much of it has been created through local volunteer efforts.

Mountain biking organizations and volunteers continue to improve and expand the park, helping it evolve year after year.

That community involvement gives the park a welcoming feel and explains why you’ll often see experienced riders encouraging younger riders or offering tips.

See It For Yourself

Good to Know Before You Go

This park is much more geared toward older kids, teenagers, and adults than some family bike parks.

Because the riding areas are compact and close together, it can become quite crowded during evenings and weekends when riders of all skill levels are sharing the same features.

For most families, I’d recommend Riverton Bike Park for ages 8 and up who already have solid bike-handling skills.

That said, every child is different.

During our visit, my 5-year-old—who is an advanced rider for their age—was able to successfully ride portions of the park. We also happened to visit when we were the only riders there, which gave her plenty of room to explore at her own pace.

If you have younger children, visiting on a weekday morning or another quieter time can make for a much more enjoyable experience.

Tips for Families

Visit during off-peak hours if riding with younger or less experienced kids.
Helmets are essential, and gloves are a great idea for kids practicing new skills.
Riders should be comfortable using hand brakes and controlling speed before attempting most features.
Expect to spend time watching other riders—it can be just as educational as riding.
Bring water, as there is very little shade over much of the park.

Why Families Keep Coming Back

For kids who have outgrown neighborhood bike rides and beginner pump tracks, Riverton offers something more.

It gives them a place to practice real skills, challenge themselves, and ride alongside others who share the same enthusiasm for biking.

Whether they’re working on smoother corners, landing their first tabletop jump, or simply spending an afternoon riding lap after lap with friends, this is the kind of park that keeps calling them back.

💌 Keep Finding Places Like This

If you’re looking for more places where kids can ride, explore, and build confidence outdoors:

👉 Subscribe to the Lake Region Kids Calendar newsletter
👉 Browse the full events calendar
👉 Explore local playgrounds, trails, beaches, and bike parks around the Sebago Lake region

New family-friendly destinations are added every week, so you’ll always have somewhere new to explore.

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