The Arkansas Riverwalk contains seven-miles of trail that wind along the Arkansas River through Cañon City and beyond. The trail covers many types of terrain and natural areas including dense cottonwood forests and native wetlands. The trail has a hard-packed, crushed gravel surface and follows an old railroad bed much of the way. The trail is open to many uses, which include running, walking, biking and even horseback riding on the John Griffin Park Bluff Trail. Your dogs are welcome too, but please keep them on a leash and be sure to pick up after them. Thanks to CCHS students Trevor Branam and Jordan Ovnicek we also now have a fun game called Riverwalk BINGO. Click here to get additional details.
Nature enthusiasts have encountered numerous species of birds and fowl along the Arkansas Riverwalk. Be sure to keep a look out for wildlife such as bears and mountain lions, they have been known to frequent the areas around the trail as well.
Trail Heads and parking lots are located in several locations. Going from west to east, the Tunnel Drive Trail Head is located west of Cañon City off of Highway 50 and overlooks the Arkansas River and railroad tracks as it heads west into the entrance of the Royal Gorge. It is a narrow trail that winds its way through three tunnels of solid granite! The Arkansas Riverwalk has expanded west from Centennial Park to Tunnel Drive and Pueblo Community College.
The Riverfront Recreation Area Trail Head is located just east of 4th Street. It will take you west into Centennial Park or east to 9th Street. There is also a boat launch in this location and a handicap fishing pier.
Located off of 9th Street, the Sell Avenue Trail Head runs in two directions, west to the Riverfront Recreation Area or east into John Griffin Park past the Recreation District's Ropes Challenge Course. To reserve the picnic pavilion near the Ropes Course, contact the District office at 275-1578.
The heart of the Arkansas Riverwalk lies within John Griffin Regional Park. The trail loops through the park with two separate trails, the River Trail and the Bluff Trail. John Griffin Park is a natural area complete with wetlands and wildlife. Along the River Trail are numerous fitness stations should you want to increase the intensity of your outing. Or if you want to take a more leisurely approach, there are numerous park benches and picnic tables throughout John Griffin Park. Make sure to bring your own water as there is none available. Located beside the Recreation District Office, the Ash Street Trail Head provides plenty of parking and provides access to John Griffin Park. You can loop around the park by using both the Bluff Trail and River Trail.
The Raynolds Trail Head is just east of the Raynolds Bridge and across from the Recreation District Office. It will lead you in two directions, west into John Griffin Park or east towards Mackenzie Avenue.
The Brookside Trail Head is just west of Mackenzie Avenue and will take you west towards Cañon City and the Recreation District Office.
Get out and enjoy the Arkansas Riverwalk experience, be courteous to others and take out with you what you took in. Have a great time!
New Pollinator Garden
With funding assistance from the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society, a pollinator garden was installed summer of 2022 along the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail at Sells Ave.
Recreation District parks crew members and one dedicated volunteer, worked to provide irrigation to the area and plant native, pollinator-friendly plants. The garden will be protected from pesticides. It will provide important habitat for pollinators, such as bees, bats, butterflies, beetles, moths and birds.
Check out the new garden as you walk the trail!
To learn how to help pollinators, please contact arkvalleyaudubon@gmail.com.
