Biking the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail at Valley Forge National Historical Park
While you are always welcome to ride on the roads at Valley Forge National Historical Park, there are plenty of trails open to bikers. The Joseph Plumb Martin Trail is a paved path that follows closely to the park road, so it’s a great way to tour the park. It passes by all stops on the Valley Forge Encampment Tour except for #4, #5, and #6, but short detours along the road or on side trails will get you to them.
Other trails that allow bikes are the Chapel Trail (dirt, 2.3 miles), the Valley Creek Trail (gravel, 1 mile), the River Trail (gravel, 3 miles), the Commissary Trail (dirt and gravel, 1 mile), and the Schuylkill River Trail (paved) that runs 120 miles between Frackville and Philadelphia (only 2 miles are within the park). I recommend off-road bikes for all of these trails except the Schuylkill River Trail.
Typical gravel trail at Valley Forge National Historical Park
For those who do not have a bike, rentals are available at the Valley Forge Encampment Store bike rental shed next to the restroom building at the main parking lot of the Valley Forge National Historical Park Visitor Center. Standard and E-bikes are available. The Encampment Store even offers guided history tours by bike. Operating hours vary depending on the season, so be sure to check the Valley Forge Encampment Store’s Bicycle Rentals and Tours web page for the latest schedule and prices. If it is overcast with a possibility of rain, the shop may be closed. I was at Valley Forge on an overcast Saturday in July when the park was packed with visitors, and the bike shop was closed.
The Encampment Store bike rental shop at Valley Forge National Historical Park
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on September 21, 2026
