Join the Lawrence Hopewell Trail for the 10th Full Moon Bike Ride on September 6, 2025
Milestone Event Adds First-Ever Full Moon Walk to Beloved Cycling Adventure
QUICK FACTS
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- Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025 – Postponed to October 11
- Time: Registration opens 7 p.m., ride begins 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Rosedale Lake section, Mercer Meadows Park, Hopewell
- Cost: Adults $25 advance/$30 day-of; Youth (12-17) $15
- Rain Date: Sunday, September 7 (bike ride only)
- Registration: Visit this link
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The Lawrence Hopewell Trail invites cyclists and walkers to experience the magic of Mercer Meadows Park under September’s full moon during the 10th Full Moon Bike Ride on September 6, 2025. This milestone event introduces the first-ever Full Moon Walk, inviting walkers on their own adventure as cyclists enjoy the beloved six-mile loop that has become a signature community celebration.
The nonprofit Lawrence Hopewell Trail and the Mercer County Park Commission present this evening of fun, family, friends, music, and moonlight that goes far beyond a typical bike ride. In 2024, over 500 riders participated, some from as far away as Florida and Texas.
Event Details
Registration opens at 7 p.m. on September 6 at the Rosedale Lake section of Mercer Meadows Park in Hopewell, along with a campfire and a DJ. The Full Moon Bike Ride begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to adults and children aged 12 and above. Participants are welcome to arrive early to enjoy the pre-ride festivities.
New this year, walking enthusiasts can join the Full Moon Walk, a one-mile moonlight stroll along the scenic Stony Brook, in response to popular demand.
Both the six-mile bike loop and walking route feature fanciful lighting along the way, with DJ entertainment, food trucks, and a campfire with s’mores awaiting participants back at Rosedale Lake.
Registration and Safety
Registration costs $25 for adults (18 and over) and $15 for youth (12 to 17). Adult registration increases to $30 on the day of the event. T-shirts are available for advance purchase through the website.
Helmets are required by law for riders under 18, although the Lawrence Hopewell Trail encourages all riders to wear helmets. Front and rear bike lights are highly recommended, as moonlight alone will not adequately illuminate wooded trail sections. Bikes with narrow road tires are not suitable for this route, as some sections feature stone dust surfaces.
Logistics
Participants should use the park entrance on Federal City Road between Blackwell Road and Old Mill Road in Hopewell Township. Carpooling is encouraged.
The rain date is Sunday, September 7, but if weather forces the change, the program will be limited to the bike ride only.
“After nine previous Full Moon Rides, we’re thrilled to expand this beloved tradition with our first Full Moon Walk,” said David Sandahl, Board Chair of the nonprofit Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation. “Whether you’re cycling the full loop or taking a peaceful moonlit stroll, this event captures the magic that makes the LHT so special to so many.”
Supporting the Trail
The Full Moon Ride serves as a fundraiser for the Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corp., which works with public and private landowners to build, program and expand this popular Mercer County amenity that now hosts over 100,000 user visits annually.
About the Lawrence Hopewell Trail
The nonprofit Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation has worked for over 20 years with governments and companies, schools, land trusts, and residents to develop and program the popular 20-mile LHT multi-use trail in Hopewell and Lawrence Townships. Only four short segments totaling about two miles remain to be built.
The LHT is a key member of the Circuit Trails Coalition, an 800-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails connecting people to jobs, communities, and parks in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corp. relies on grants and donations to fund operating expenses and community events such as the Saturday Morning Walking Club, bike rides, and the popular Full Moon Bike Ride.
About the Mercer Meadows
The Mercer County Park Commission manages diverse offerings within its more than 10,000 acres of parks, recreational facilities, and open space throughout Mercer County. Mercer Meadows, where the Full Moon Bike Ride takes place, consists of more than 1,600 acres divided among five separate districts. Miles of mowed, stone dust, paved, and gravel trails provide visitors and their families with scenic walking and biking routes through meadows and woodland. Fishing is popular at the park’s four water bodies. For more information, visit Mercer County Parks.