Family Bikepacking: The Ultimate Starter Guide for 2025

What is Bikepacking?

Bikepacking combines the freedom of cycling with the adventure of camping, allowing families to explore off-road trails and scenic routes while carrying everything they need on their bikes. Simply put, bikepacking blends all-terrain cycling with backpacking, offering the freedom of backcountry hiking but with the added range and pace of riding a nimble bicycle. It involves carrying essential gear on an off-road-capable bike for overnight or multi-day journeys.

This growing outdoor activity is perfect for families seeking authentic connections with nature and each other, away from screens and daily distractions.

Why Choose Family Bikepacking in 2025?

Family bikepacking offers unique benefits that other vacation options simply can't match:

• Quality bonding time in the age of digital distractions
• Affordable adventures without expensive flights or accommodation costs
• Flexible itineraries that can be adapted to your family's pace and preferences
• Physical activity that builds strength and confidence in children
• Environmental awareness through immersive experiences in nature
• Life skills development including problem-solving, resilience, and self-sufficiency

Choosing the Right Bikes for Family Bikepacking

For Parents

The bike market in 2025 offers excellent options specifically designed for bikepacking adventures. Key features to look for include a stable frame, cargo mounts for attaching bags, and tire clearance that allows versatility on different terrain types.

Top bikepacking bike options for 2025 include:

1. Salsa Fargo - A versatile drop-bar option with ample mounting points
2. Surly Ogre - Durable steel frame with multiple configuration options
3. Trek 1120 - Comes with integrated rack systems specifically for bikepacking

For Children

Children's participation depends on their age and riding ability:

• Ages 0-3: Child seat or bike trailer
• Ages 3-6: Trail-a-bike or tagalong attachment
• Ages 6-9: Own bike for shorter trips, possibly with a tow rope for assistance
• Ages 9+: Their own appropriately sized bikepacking setup

When choosing bikes for a family bikepacking adventure, consider that 2025 has brought some exciting trends including more aluminum-framed bikes which offer durability, comfort and affordability—perfect for growing families.

Essential Bikepacking Gear

Bikepacking Bags

The foundation of any bikepacking setup includes several key bags: a frame bag (the most important), seat pack for sleeping gear or food, handlebar mount, and potentially a top tube bag. This system allows you to distribute weight properly across your bike for optimal handling.

For 2025, look for:

• Waterproof materials with heat-welded seams
• Quick-release mounting systems
• Reflective elements for visibility
• Sustainable manufacturing practices

Sleep System

Your family's comfort at night is crucial for an enjoyable trip:

• Tent: Lightweight, quick-setup models designed for bikepacking
• Sleeping bags: Appropriate temperature rating for your destination
• Sleeping pads: Insulation from the ground for comfortable rest

Cooking Equipment

Keep it simple but satisfying:

• Compact camping stove with fuel
• Collapsible cookware
• Lightweight utensils
• Food storage solutions

Clothing

Pack as little as possible while ensuring you have essentials. Consider versatile items like arm and leg warmers plus a rain jacket with detachable sleeves to make your jersey set more adaptable to changing conditions.

Navigation and Safety

• GPS device or smartphone with offline maps
• First aid kit tailored for cycling injuries
• Bike repair essentials including multi-tool, spare tubes, and portable pump
• Communication device if traveling in remote areas

Planning Your First Family Bikepacking Trip

Start Small and Close to Home

For your first bikepacking adventure, choose a manageable route. An overnight trip is ideal for testing gear, determining if you enjoy the experience, and understanding what it's like to pedal a loaded bike.

Consider these factors when selecting your route:

• Distance: Keep daily mileage low, especially for your first trips
• Terrain: Choose mostly flat or gently rolling paths
• Surface type: Begin with smooth gravel paths rather than technical trails
• Bailout options: Plan for easy exit points if needed
• Weather considerations: Check forecasts carefully

Family-Friendly Route Suggestions

The best family-friendly bikepacking routes are separate from traffic, relatively flat, mostly paved, and typically under 10 miles in length. Look for paths that offer interesting features like riverfront views, open meadows, or wildlife viewing opportunities.

Some excellent starter routes in the US include:

1. Ellerburn Trail - Perfect for families with smaller children, offering 2.8km and 4.5km options
2. Cuckoo Trail - A traffic-free, well-surfaced path connecting Polegate to Heathfield
3. Tissington Trail - Features crushed-limestone surfaces ideal for easy cycling

For more route ideas, visit Bikepacking.com's Routes Map.

Practical Tips for Success

Pack Strategically

When distributing weight on your bikes, keep heavier items in the frame bag for better stability. Place lighter items in the handlebar bag, and keep frequently needed items like snacks easily accessible.

Test Your Gear

Before leaving for your bikepacking adventure, test all equipment beforehand. This crucial step helps identify potential problems before you're miles from home, ensuring everything works as expected with no loose components.

Maintain a Flexible Attitude

Children's energy and enthusiasm can vary widely. Be prepared to:

• Take frequent breaks
• Adjust your daily distance goals
• Incorporate fun activities along the route
• Have backup plans if weather or other factors change

Involve Children in the Process

Build excitement and ownership by including children in:

• Route planning discussions
• Gear selection and packing
• Camp setup responsibilities
• Navigation during the ride

Meal Planning for Family Bikepacking

Nutrition is particularly important when bikepacking with children:

• Breakfast: Quick-cooking oatmeal, granola bars, or pre-made breakfast burritos
• Lunch: Wraps, hard cheeses, nut butters on tortillas or bagels
• Dinner: One-pot meals like pasta, rice dishes, or dehydrated camping meals
• Snacks: Trail mix, dried fruits, energy bars, and plenty of kid-friendly favorites

Pro tip: For your first trip, consider skipping cooking altogether. Pack a tin foil-wrapped burrito or other easy-to-carry meal for dinner, and grab breakfast on the way home.

Family Bikepacking on a Budget

Bikepacking doesn't require expensive gear to get started:

A common misconception about bikepacking is that it requires a small fortune: the perfect bike, custom bags, and all the latest ultralight camping gear. While quality gear is never a bad investment if you'll use it frequently, it's not necessary to begin.

Money-saving strategies include:

• Use existing camping equipment you already own
• Borrow gear from friends before investing
• Create DIY bikepacking bags using online tutorials
• Rent equipment for your first few trips
• Shop end-of-season sales for discounted gear

Environmental Responsibility

Teach your children valuable lessons about environmental stewardship while bikepacking:

• Follow Leave No Trace principles
• Pack out all trash
• Stay on designated trails
• Respect wildlife and plant life
• Use biodegradable soap and toiletries
• Minimize campfire impact

The Future of Family Bikepacking

Looking ahead, 2025 is bringing exciting innovations to the bikepacking scene, including advancements in safety technology, sustainable materials, and smart connectivity features that can enhance the family bikepacking experience.

Keep an eye out for:

• Child-specific bikepacking equipment
• Family-oriented route development
• Community events centered around family bikepacking
• Digital tools to simplify planning and navigation

Resources for Family Bikepackers

• MoVcan's Bikepacking Gear Guide
• Bikepacking.com's Family Bikepacking Section
• REI's Introduction to Bikepacking
• Family Bikepacking Facebook Group

Conclusion

Family bikepacking offers an incredible opportunity to create lasting memories, build confidence, develop new skills, and foster a love of outdoor adventure in children. With the right preparation, gear, and mindset, your family can embark on transformative journeys together on two wheels.

The most important aspect isn't having perfect gear or covering impressive distances—it's sharing the joy of exploration and the satisfaction of self-powered adventure with those you love most. Start planning your family's bikepacking journey today, and discover a whole new world of possibilities waiting just beyond your doorstep.