Best railbike adventures – How to find railbikes near you
Railbikes have been used on railroad tracks since the 1800s. It wasn't until recently that individuals and companies began designing railbikes and offering railbike trips for the public. Railbiking companies are numerous. Our guide will help you find the best railbike adventure near you.
Whether called rail bikes, railbikes, or railcycles, people have been adapting bicycles to “ride” the rails since the 1800s. Until recently, however, railbikes were designed simply as a way to move up and down railroad tracks for work. It wasn't until the 1980s that a dentist from Idaho, Dick Smart, created his own railbike design purely for recreation and began exploring abandoned or vacant tracks around the Western United States to ride them. He called it railcycling. The media began to take notice of Smart's adventures, and soon others began to follow in his tracks (pun intended), using updated designs that resembled carts more than bikes. It wasn't long before companies began offering recreational railbike adventures along abandoned tracks.
What is railbiking?
Some of the first bikes were designed like regular two-wheelers with angled support rods connecting them to the other rail to keep them upright and on the tracks. Today’s companies, which tend to design and build their own railbikes, have moved to a design that is friendlier for the masses. These railbikes are all a little different but stick to the same concept: Each is a custom-made four-wheel vehicle with rubberized wheels that is built with either two or four seats, seatbelts, pedals, and hand-operated disc brakes. The bikes are single-gear and move forward by the riders pedaling, like you see in a recumbent bicycle. They are light enough to roll easily along the railroad tracks, and they can be operated at a very leisurely pace with no steering needed – making it ideal for taking photos and enjoying the passing scenery. An increasing number of companies are adding an electric motor assist to their railbikes to lessen the pedaling effort required if desired by the riders, especially useful if the railbike tour is in a hillier region.
How do railbike adventures work?
While each company offers different trip options, scenery and adventures, the formula remains the same: Railbikes all leave in a group, with tour leaders at the front and back for safety. There is no passing (bumping into the bike in front of you is highly frowned upon), and the pedaling pace is set by the lead guide at a comfortable and leisurely speed. If you feel the need for speed, railbiking is not for you, trust me. For roundtrip adventures, there is usually an established turnaround point where guests disembark, and each railbike is turned around by the guides using a nifty tool that helps spin the bikes easily before they are dropped back into place facing the other way on the track. Most often, there is a seating area, place to relax, short walks, or talks about the area while the guides work to spin the railbikes. For one-way journeys, shuttles are provided to return guests to the parking area.
How much do railbike trips cost?
On average, at the time of this writing (January 2025), the lowest amount you can expect to pay is approximately $85 for a two-seat bike (or about $42.50 per person) and up to $150 for a four-seat bike (about $37.50 per person), making the adventure perfect for families or groups. A few companies charge per person. Anything over about $150 for a two-seater and $300 for a four-seater starts to feel overpriced, unless you are getting additional benefits, such as a nice picnic lunch included.
Is railbiking for everyone?
Yes, with a caveat. Nearly every company I know of places a per-person weight limit on riding its bikes. Check before you book, but typically this is in the 300-pound range. If you weigh more than that, you likely will not be able to ride. Other than that, it is perfect for young, old, fit, less fit (though everyone should have at least enough fitness to pedal a bike for 30 minutes or so without collapsing), and everyone in between. Everyone pedals together, but if one person gets too tired or wants to stop pedaling to take a photo, taking a break is easy. Just stop pedaling while the others keep the wheels moving. It's even easier with railbikes that have an electric motor assist, giving that added boost of power to keep the bikes moving easily down the tracks with little or no effort. Though I am still reasonably fit and an experienced cyclist, I certainly enjoyed the electric motor boost when catching up to the group after lagging behind for a nifty photo op.
What will I need to bring on a railbike?
You'll want to pack along a camera (your smartphone camera will be fine if that is all you have), sunscreen, insect repellent, and appropriate outerwear for the weather, such as raincoats, hats, or rain gear – yes, most every company will run their trips rain or shine, so be prepared. Although water is sometimes provided, please don't count on it and bring your own. There are usually baskets at the back of the bike to stow small daypacks with your extra things and a small cupholder for bottles (although some are shallow, and bottles may slip out). Closed-toe shoes are required for safety, and I believe comfy, loose-fitting clothing suitable for hiking or biking is best. Personally, I prefer lightweight long pants and a long-sleeve shirt for added sun protection. I'd also recommend a hat and sunglasses.
Finding the best railbike adventure near you
Now that you've read about what a railbike is, you're ready to experience pedaling a railbike for yourself and can't wait to get going, right? I've compiled a list of railbiking companies around the United States to help make your search for "railbikes near me" even easier. General current prices have also been provided below to give you an idea of cost, but prices change often without notice, so keep that in mind.
Skunk Trail Railbikes – Fort Bragg, California
Owned and operated by the same company that operates the River Fox Railbikes, the well-known Skunk Train has multiple railbiking options. Railbikes on Pudding Creek departs from Fort Bragg, Calif., on a 7-mile round-trip railbiking tour that follows historic tracks along the Pudding Creek Estuary and into majestic redwood groves. You may see osprey, blue herons, and other wildlife. Because of the slight climb involved on the return, the rail bikes have an optional motorized assist. The Skunk Train charges $265 per bike, which seats two. The longer option is Railbikes on the Noyo, a 25-mile round-trip railbiking tour that follows historic railroad tracks along the Noyo River deep into the Noyo River Canyon. The Skunk Train charges $565 per bike, which seats two, with a box lunch included.
On the Skunk Trail Pudding Creek railbike adventure, we pedaled into the turnaround point arriving before the train, and then enjoyed the thrill of watching it pull up and then head back. Railbikers start back a bit after the train departs, of course.
River Fox Railbikes – Sacramento, California
River Fox (a sister company of the Skunk Train railbikes, above) offers railbike tours that follow the tracks alongside the Old Garden Highway beside the Sacramento River. Picturesque views and cool breezes are on tap for this 60-minute round-trip journey. Railbikes have an optional motorized assist. River Fox charges $117 per railbike on weekdays, $140 per railbike on weekends. Each railbike seats up to two people.
Joseph Branch Railriders – Oregon
The Joseph Branch Railriders take railbikers along an inactive section of the Joseph Branch Railway, with tracks passing through forest and farmland, over creeks and marsh. The Wallowa Mountains serve as a backdrop. The company offers several different tours, including a nighttime railbike adventure. Prices range from $60 per seat up to $75, depending on the trip chosen.
Vance Creek Railriders - Washington
Vance Creek Railriders offers railbike tours on the historic Simpson Logging Company Railway on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Explore the lush, mossy, fern-filled forests on a 14-mile round-trip railbike adventure. Cost is $36 per rider over 12 years of age.
B&ML RailCyclers - Unity, Maine
Operated by the Brooks Preservation Society, the group provides railcycle excursions (the group calls its railbikes "railcycles") on the historic Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad tracks. Unfortunately, the 2025 season has been cancelled.
Revolution Rail - Adirondacks, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Colorado
Revolution Rail allows riders to pedal special two-seat and four-seat railbikes along abandoned railroad tracks in the Adirondacks. The section of track begins at the historic North Creek Railroad Station just outside of Lake George. It passes through dense forest and alongside the banks of the Hudson River, crossing the Hudson via an amazing trestle bridge. I can personally attest that pedaling over the Hudson makes this one of the best railbike adventures! A choice of a quad bike for $160 or a tandem bike for $90 is available. At the time of this writing, the company also offers railbiking adventures in South Fork, Colo.; Cape May, N.J.; Green Lake, Maine; and Hadley, N.Y., with perhaps more to come.
Adirondack Railbike Adventures - Adirondacks, New York
Pedal along the Adirondack Scenic Railroad tracks just north of Thendara station on a six-mile round-trip journey through the natural beauty of the Adirondack mountains. The company offers single-seat options at $35 (you will be seated with other riders), two-seat bikes for $90, three-seat bikes for $130, and four-seat bikes for $140.
Rail Explorers - New York, California, Rhode Island, Kentucky, West Virginia, Iowa
Rail Explorers USA offers railbike tours in numerous locations: The Milford Track along the Susquehanna River in Milford, New York; the Catskill Mountains along the historic Ulster and Delaware Railroad; in Rhode Island along the 1862 Old Colony Railroad; in West Virginia along a section of the historic Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad; in the Gold Country of California, just south of Sacramento on a section of the Amador Central Railroad; in Lexington, Kentucky along a section of the Louisville Southern Railroad; and in Boone, Iowa along a section of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. Prices range by location but, in general, are around $80 to $99 for a tandem explorer railbike and $160 to $185 for a quad explorer railbike.
Scenic RailRiders - Concord, New Hampshire
Pedal two- and four-seat railbikes along a scenic 6.4-mile stretch of abandoned railroad tracks through woodlands, farmlands, and alongside the Merrimack River. Two-seat bikes are $95 to $100, and four-seat bikes are $175 to $185.
Rail Bike Adventures - Laconia, New Hampshire
Jump aboard a four-seat railbike and pedal five miles along the Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad tracks in New Hampshire’s beautiful Lakes Region. Trip crosses over a trestle bridge above the Winnipesaukee River and to the shore of Lake Winnisquam – New Hampshire’s fourth-largest lake. The company offers four-seat railbikes for $165 to $185, depending on the season.
Essex Steam Train Railbike Adventures - Haddam, Connecticut
Enjoy a railbike adventure pedaling an eight-mile route along the scenic Connecticut River from Essex Station to Old Saybrook and back. The route passes by The Preserve, a 963-acre forest, once recognized as the largest remaining unprotected coastal forest between Boston and New York before its acquisition for protection. The company offers four-seat railbikes for $150.
Tracks & Yaks - Frostburg, Maryland
Trips follow along a 15-mile route on the ridgeline next to the Great Allegheny Passage hiking and biking trail. Spectacular views and regional history are part of the journey. Multiple tours (guided and self-guided) are currently available, one with an all-downhill ride and a shuttle. Prices range from $89 to $119 for a two-person railbike to $139 to $199 for a four-person railbike, depending on the tour.
Secret Valley Explorers - Boyertown, Pennsylvania
Embark on a five-mile pedal journey, crossing creeks, passing through dense forests, and exploring the history in the rocks that had an impact on George Washington and Thomas Edison. The railbikes are not operating in 2025; however, the company website indicates it is hopeful that the railbike tours will return in 2026.
Pennsylvania Rail Bike - Hawley, Pennsylvania
Located in the scenic Pocono Mountains, riders pedal along a ten-mile route beside the Lackawaxen River. The region is known for bald eagles. Numerous tour options are available. Tandem railbikes are $125 to $175, and Quad railbikes are $225 to $315.
Find the best railbike adventure near you by using our map!
Map created by HI Travel Tales using Wanderlog, a road trip planner
