At a Glance
Stuart, Florida offers bike trails ranging from smooth paved paths along the St. Lucie River to 7.5 miles of technical singletrack at Halpatiokee Regional Park. The East Coast Greenway runs 17.6 miles through Martin County, connecting Stuart north to Jensen Beach and south to Seabranch Preserve State Park in Hobe Sound. Most trails are free. Helmets are required at Halpatiokee Regional Park.
Paved and Recreational Trails
These trails suit road bikes, hybrid bikes, and families looking for smooth, low-traffic riding surfaces.
Stuart Riverwalk
Location: 201 SW St Lucie Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
Trail Type: Paved boardwalk and riverside path
The Stuart Riverwalk runs along the St. Lucie River through the heart of Downtown Stuart, offering views of the Roosevelt Bridge and the waterfront. This route works best for casual, slow-paced cruiser biking rather than high-speed cycling. The path is shared with pedestrians and has tight sections near the marina and waterfront dining areas. Morning weekday rides are quietest; weekend afternoons bring heavier foot traffic. The Riverwalk connects to the downtown street network and local restaurants. Free parking is available at nearby city lots and garages.
Haney Creek Nature Preserve Trail
Haney Creek Dog Park
Location: 391 NW Baker Road, Stuart, FL 34994
Trail Type: Paved paths and hard-pack multi-use trails
Length: 1.8-mile connector segment
Haney Creek Nature Preserve is a city-owned preserve and the most centrally located nature ride within Stuart proper. The trail combines paved paths with hard-pack multi-use tracks through pine flatwoods alongside Haney Creek. This 1.8-mile section runs south of Jensen Beach Boulevard, parallels the preserve, and connects several walk-in trailheads. It also serves as an access point for the northern section of the East Coast Greenway. Best suited for hybrid bikes and casual riders. Parking is available on-site.
Kiwanis Youth Park and Danforth Creek Path
Location: 451 S Colorado Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
Trail Type: Paved loop with short natural surface sections
Kiwanis Youth Park is a smaller community park in central Stuart with short paved loops suited for beginner riders and families with young children. The park sits centrally within the downtown Stuart grid, close to local amenities. The surrounding Danforth Creek Path adds a short natural-surface extension. The park includes playground equipment, shaded seating, and restrooms. Traffic on Colorado Avenue near the park can be noticeable during peak hours; morning and early evening visits are quieter. This park also marks a routing point for the East Coast Greenway through downtown.
Green River Parkway Trail
Location: Southern trailhead at Green River Pkwy and Jensen Beach Blvd, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Trail Type: Dedicated paved multi-use path, separated from traffic
Length: 4 miles
The Green River Parkway Trail is the primary paved cycling route for Stuart-area riders heading north. The path runs alongside Savannas Preserve State Park north of Jensen Beach Boulevard, fully separated from vehicle traffic. This segment forms the northern anchor of the East Coast Greenway through Martin County and is the smoothest, most traffic-free paved option in the area. Suitable for road bikes, hybrids, and families. Parking is available at the southern trailhead.
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Off-Road and Mountain Biking
These trails are unpaved and best suited for mountain bikes and gravel bikes with wider tires.
Halpatiokee Regional Park
Location: 8303 SW Lost River Road, Stuart, FL 34997
Trail Type: Singletrack mountain bike trail (designated biking only)
Length: 7.5-mile loop made up of 12 named segments
Halpatiokee Regional Park is the hub for mountain biking in Stuart and the most technically demanding trail in Martin County. Managed by Martin County, the park covers 65 acres of active parkland surrounded by roughly 500 acres of wetland preserve along the South Fork of the St. Lucie River. The singletrack was built and is maintained by the Airborne Mountain Bike Club, which linked the current 12-segment layout together in 2004.
Each segment carries its own difficulty rating posted at the entry signpost. Standout segments include Root Canal, The Dips, Steve’s Trail, Zig-Zag, Palmetto Express, and Western Corridor. The terrain is mostly flat with frequent roots, soft sand, minor elevation changes over spoil piles, and wooden features throughout. Some segments are marked one-way to prevent head-on collisions. The trail begins and ends at Pavilion 7, where a bike wash station is located. The park is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM, and trails close at dusk.
Key rules and conditions:
- Helmets are required for all riders
- Riders under 18 must submit an online Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form, or complete a paper form at the Martin County Public Works Department (2401 SE Monterey Road, Stuart)
- Only Class 1 Pedal Assist e-bikes are permitted; no motorized vehicles
- Leashed dogs are permitted in the park’s active areas, including ballfields and pavilions, but the mountain bike singletrack is for cyclists only
- Avoid riding after heavy rain; long sections flood and become deeply muddy
- A shortened dry-weather lap is possible by following signs to Steve’s Trail shortly after entering The Dips
- Download a trail map before riding; the system is not consistently marked in all sections
Best time to ride: November through May offers the most favorable conditions. Summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms make early-morning rides essential from June through September. Trailforks, AllTrails, and MTB Project all provide current trail condition reports before a visit.
On-site amenities: Restrooms at the trailhead and ballfields; picnic pavilions; bike wash station; primitive riverside campsite reachable by a roughly 0.75-mile walk-in (reservation required, call 772-221-1419); soccer, football, tennis, pickleball, disc golf, roller hockey, and baseball fields in the active park area.
The Long-Distance Connector
The East Coast Greenway goes from Maine to Florida.
East Coast Greenway, Stuart Segment
Route: Enters Martin County from Port St. Lucie via the Green River Parkway Trail; continues south through Downtown Stuart and into Seabranch Preserve State Park in Hobe Sound
Trail Type: Hybrid route combining dedicated off-road paved trail, bike lanes, and on-road segments
Total Length: 17.6 miles through Martin County, from Savannas Preserve State Park to Peck Lake Park in Hobe Sound
The East Coast Greenway is a 3,000-mile multi-use trail network running from Maine to Florida. The Martin County segment stretches 17.6 miles, connecting protected natural areas and passing directly through historic downtown Stuart. State park sections are managed by Florida State Parks, with local segments managed by Martin County and the City of Stuart.
The route breaks into three distinct riding environments:
- Northern paved section (Green River Parkway Trail): A 4-mile dedicated, traffic-free paved path running alongside Savannas Preserve State Park and Haney Creek Preserve. Smooth, flat, and family-friendly. The strongest section for road bikes.
- Middle urban section (Downtown Stuart and Old Dixie Highway): The route follows Old Dixie Highway through downtown Stuart and Port Salerno. Bike lanes and sidepaths exist in some stretches, but riders must share travel lanes through parts of this segment, and cyclists are required to cross at signalized intersections in places where the sidepath ends. Riders should be comfortable with on-road cycling before tackling this section. The route passes the Stuart Riverwalk and connects to downtown dining and shops.
- Southern paved section (Seabranch Preserve State Park): A 2.6-mile protected greenway inside and alongside Seabranch Preserve State Park and the adjacent Gomez Preserve. A 1.7-mile paved path inside the park passes through sand pine scrub habitat with trailside benches. Common wildlife sightings include gopher tortoises, Florida scrub-jays, and bobcats. The trailhead has a vault toilet and picnic tables. No day-use fee is required at Seabranch.
Best time to ride the full 17.6-mile route: December through March offers the most comfortable temperatures and lowest humidity. Summer riding on the paved sections is possible with early-morning starts. The trail is open year-round.
Nearby Options Worth the Drive
Riders looking to extend beyond Stuart have strong options within a short drive north and south.
Savannas Preserve State Park
Location: Multiple access points in Port St. Lucie and Jensen Beach
Trail Type: Paved East Coast Greenway path plus natural-surface trails
Savannas Preserve State Park protects one of the last remaining freshwater marsh ecosystems of its kind in Florida, stretching across Port St. Lucie and Jensen Beach. The park borders the Green River Parkway Trail on its eastern edge, making it a natural extension for riders heading north from Stuart. The preserve’s wet prairies and pine flatwoods provide habitat for gopher tortoises and a wide range of bird species.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Location: 16450 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Trail Type: Off-road mountain bike trails and paved multi-use paths
Jonathan Dickinson State Park sits roughly 20 minutes south of Stuart in Hobe Sound and offers a larger network of off-road mountain biking trails than Halpatiokee, along with paved multi-use paths near the entrance. The park includes the Hobe Mountain Trail, which climbs the highest natural point south of Lake Okeechobee. A state park entry fee applies. This park connects to the southern end of the East Coast Greenway corridor through Martin County.
Peck Lake Park
Location: 4400 SE Peck Lake Rd, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
Trail Type: Natural-surface coastal trail
Peck Lake Park marks the southern terminus of the East Coast Greenway segment through Martin County. The park connects riders to coastal habitat along the Pioneer Passage, ending at an observation point on the Indian River Lagoon. It works well as a turnaround point or rest stop for riders completing the full Stuart-to-Hobe Sound greenway route.
Conditions, Rules, and Limitations
- Helmets are required at Halpatiokee Regional Park for all riders, per Martin County park rules
- Minors at Halpatiokee must have a liability waiver on file before riding the mountain bike trail
- Only Class 1 Pedal Assist e-bikes are allowed on Halpatiokee trails; no throttle-assist or Class 2/3 e-bikes
- The Halpatiokee mountain bike singletrack is designated for biking only; a separate hiking trail exists for pedestrians
- After heavy rain, the Halpatiokee singletrack is prone to flooding and should be avoided; check Trailforks or MTB Project for current conditions
- Seabranch Preserve does not require a day-use fee; Jonathan Dickinson State Park does require a vehicle entry fee
- The middle urban segment of the East Coast Greenway requires on-road riding and is not recommended for young children or inexperienced cyclists
- The Stuart Riverwalk has pedestrian-priority sections; cyclists must yield to foot traffic throughout
Safety and Best Practices
- Wear a helmet on every ride. It is legally required on the Halpatiokee mountain bike trail and strongly recommended on all other routes.
- Bring water. Florida heat and humidity cause rapid dehydration. Carry at least one liter per hour for summer rides.
- Start early. Morning rides before 9 AM are cooler, less humid, and avoid afternoon thunderstorms that typically develop between 2 PM and 5 PM from June through September.
- Download a trail map. The Halpatiokee singletrack is not consistently marked. Download a map via Trailforks, AllTrails, or MTB Project before a first visit.
- Check trail conditions before riding Halpatiokee. Sections flood after rain and can stay saturated for days. Current reports are available on Trailforks.
- Use the bike wash station. After riding Halpatiokee, the wash station at Pavilion 7 removes mud and sand that can damage drivetrain components.
- Carry insect repellent. Mosquitoes are active near Halpatiokee and the Green River Parkway Trail corridor, particularly at dawn and dusk.
- Yield to pedestrians on the Riverwalk and other shared-use paved sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mountain biking trail in Stuart, FL?
Halpatiokee Regional Park is the only dedicated mountain bike singletrack in Stuart and the primary option for off-road riding in Martin County. The 7.5-mile loop with 12 named segments suits intermediate to advanced riders, with easier alternate routing available for beginners. Jonathan Dickinson State Park in nearby Hobe Sound offers a larger trail network for riders wanting more mileage.
Are there paved bike trails in Stuart, FL?
Yes. The Green River Parkway Trail, Haney Creek Nature Preserve Trail, Stuart Riverwalk, and the paved sections of the East Coast Greenway at Seabranch Preserve all provide paved cycling options in and around Stuart.
Are dogs allowed on Stuart bike trails?
Leashed dogs are permitted at most Stuart parks and paved trails, including the active areas of Halpatiokee Regional Park such as the ballfields and pavilions. Dogs are not permitted on the Halpatiokee mountain bike singletrack itself.
Do I need to pay to ride bike trails in Stuart?
Most trails in Stuart are free, including Halpatiokee Regional Park and Seabranch Preserve State Park. Jonathan Dickinson State Park in nearby Hobe Sound does charge a standard vehicle entry fee. Halpatiokee requires minors to have a signed liability waiver on file before riding the mountain bike trail.
What type of bike do I need for Stuart trails?
A mountain bike or gravel bike works best at Halpatiokee. A hybrid or road bike is well suited to the Green River Parkway Trail, the East Coast Greenway’s paved sections, and the Stuart Riverwalk. The Riverwalk also works well for cruiser bikes.
