Quiet Waters Mountain Bike Trails
Quiet Waters has one of the best mountain bike trail systems in South Florida: about seven miles of winding singletrack around the lakes and through the woods, built and kept up by volunteers, with everything from easy loops to expert drops and berms.
What's here
- About seven miles of marked singletrack and loops.
- Trails rated green circle (novice) to double red diamond (pro).
- A bike wash and a small work area for quick repairs.
- Monthly night rides and volunteer trail maintenance days.
Good to know
You need a trail pass and a signed waiver. On your first visit, stop at the park office to watch the short safety video and sign; the pass also covers the trails at Markham Park in Sunrise. Helmets are required.
The trail pass
- Day pass: $5 per person, or $10 for a family of up to five.
- Annual pass: $25 per person, or $75 for a family of up to five (per calendar year, half price from mid-year).
Buy passes at the park office (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The annual pass covers both Quiet Waters and Markham Park. On weekends and holidays the $3 gate fee applies unless you ride in.
Ratings and terrain
- Green circle: novice.
- Blue square: intermediate.
- Black diamond: expert.
- Double red diamond: pro/expert.
It's Florida, so there's little natural elevation, but the volunteer builders have made the most of the terrain around the lakes: expect tight switchbacks, roots, a little sand, rollers, berms and, on the harder lines, drops and jumps. Easier options usually run alongside the technical features, so you can scout before you commit. Trailforks has a map of the individual trails.
Rules
- Helmets required; full-face helmets, pads and gloves recommended.
- Mountain bikes only: no hybrids, trailers or child seats, and no e-bikes or other motorized bikes.
- No hikers, runners, pets or horses on the trails.
- Stay on marked trails, follow the signs and don't alter the trails.
- Slower riders yield when a faster rider asks to pass.
- Trailhead gates lock at sunset; be out before then.
- When the lightning horn sounds, leave the trails until the all-clear (three short blasts).
Night rides and trail days
On the third Wednesday of most months, the park runs a Mountain Bike Night Ride, usually 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. from spring to fall and 6 to 9:30 p.m. in late fall and winter. You'll need a trail pass and lights. On the second and fourth Saturdays, volunteers meet from 8 a.m. to noon for trail maintenance (ages 13 and up; under 18 with an adult 21 or older). The current dates are on our events calendar.
Also for bikes: the paved path
Not a mountain biker? A paved path loops through the park past the lakes, good for cruisers, kids' bikes and scooters. It's open during park hours and doesn't need a pass.
Tips
Ride early in summer: the trails are shaded in places but the humidity is brutal by noon. After heavy rain, some low sections hold water; give them a day. Bring plenty of water, a spare tube and bug spray, and ride with a friend on the expert lines.
See the rest of the park
Mountain Bike Trails is one of 9 featured areas at Quiet Waters Park.