The Dry Creek Trail is a mostly level, shady trail that follows its namesake creek in Clovis. The western trailhead connects with the Clovis Old Town Trail and has a small parking lot. The trail travels east and north, passing along Cottonwood Park, Dry Creek Park and the Clovis Botanical Gardens. Most street crossings have stoplights, and public restrooms are available in Dry Creek Park.
The eastern trailhead has plentiful parking, restrooms, a few tables and a bicycle repair station. Enterprise Canal Trail is just east of the eastern trailhead, and can be accessed by a short ride along the bank of Enterprise Canal to N. Fowler Avenue.
To reach the western trailhead from State Route 168, take the Herndon Avenue exit, and travel west a half mile to N. Villa Avenue. Turn north on Villa and then take the next right on Minnewawa Avenue. The parking lot is behind the fire station.
To reach the eastern traihead from SR 168, take the Herndon Avenue exit, and travel west a half mile to N. Villa Avenue. Turn north on Villa. Villa almost immediately curves and becomes N. Minnewawa Avenue. Continue north 3 miles to Shepherd Avenue. Turn right on Shepherd and drive east 0.9 mile to the trailhead near N. Sunnyside Avenue. The address is 4999 E Shepherd Ave #4971, Clovis, CA.
What a beautiful trail who says you have to go to the Coastal areas to enjoy really beautiful trails. I thought the sound is the markets they are very very faded. of the stream and stillness of the nature on the walk was awesome. This was my first trail and I loved it. TY to those who help preserve the areas and keep it all clean. My only observation where updates need to be made
Dry underbrush 'neath lush green trees.
Gray-white cotton puff clouds and the pale watercolor of streaky clouds in a light blue sky.
Shadow leaves sway under the trees, as the sun lays hot beams on the flat blacktop of the path.
Geese and ducks drift on the water's surface, as the dark form of a fish weaves through the cold current of the stream.
A shadow bird glides across the paved path, as a cool breeze, like silk upon my skin, pushes past me as I pedal along the Dry Creek Trail.
Yes! My healing oasis in Clovis, Ca.
-- Kathy Pippig
The Dry Creek Trail is my favorite of the three trails I ride the most. The trail is paved and on the east side of the trail is the creek. Depending on the weather and time of year, there may or may not be water in the creek.
You will likely see geese, ducks and other birds. Folks walking their dogs. Families and individuals of all ages biking and walking. Kids and adults skate boarding. Children on scooters.
At the south entrance there is a lovely park area that is popular; with exercise equipment, picnic tables, water fountains for humans and their dogs, meeting areas, and plenty of parking. Just past the park is the Clovis Botanical Garden and in the Spring, it is filled with blossoming flowers and is beautiful to see.
There are park benches throughout the trail for folks to sit and enjoy people watching or just enjoy nature.
Midway through the trail, traveling north, just before the Nees Ave light, there is an obelisk that displays stats: like the number of bicycles passing through for the day and for the year, as well as other stats.
The north/west side of the trail runs through a housing area that is quite nice and separate from the trail. At the north end of the trail is a large area for picnicking, resting, and there are clean nice toilets. A marvelous, giant metal sculpture of a horse stands in the center. And to the east side of this area is a nice-sized parking lot. There is also a spot where you can air up the tires on your bike with the equipment provided.
All in all, this trail is, for me, like biking along a path in the nearby hills, with a river running alongside - that was my first impression and it still holds true every time I ride the trail.
Kathy Pippig
I read previous reviews on this trail so was concerned but I tried it. The only part of the trail with the raised cracks not suitable for biking is near the trail head. To avoid this, ride on the street in that section then jump on the trail. This trail connects to the Clovis trail making for a nice long ride. Shady, runs along the water and shaded. Beautiful area. Loved it.
The tree roots have destroyed the asphalt, and it is not suitable for bicycles. Walking would be ok. I wasted a long drive to ride about 100 yard. Terrible trail, never go back!! ¿¿¿¿¿
Location: Clovis (Fresno), CA
Parking: Costco (Shaw & N. Clovis Ave)
Trail Condition: Satisfactory for most of the trail. Is a wide asphalt pathway. There are portions of the trail that are older with tree roots raising up and causing a bumpy ride. Roots haven’t broken through surface yet. Trail needs work.
Signage: Fairly easy to follow with exception of one park with a fork in the trail. Of course, we chose the straight path which turned out to be the wrong choice. Stopped for quick check of our map and look around to see a busy intersection that needed to be crossed. A portion of the trail has a white stripe down the middle but not all. There is a count station along the trail showing trail usage (bikers and walkers, daily and this year). Nice feature.
Comments: This trail was in combination with the Clovis Old Town Trail (thus reason for parking at Costco). We started from the junction of the Clovis Old Town Trail to the terminus which is a nice park with large parking lot on the north end. Then returned back to the Clovis Old Town Trail. The trail passes through a nice park on the way to the terminus. The park at the terminus has an interesting horse statue made from old rusted mechanical parts. A number of walkers, runners and a few cyclists were encountered on the trail, not overwhelming. According to the trail counter, walkers way out number the bikers. A major intersection must be crossed. A lower rating for this trail was given because of the poor trail condition.
Lovely trail. Nice tree and water along the trail. Very peaceful for my ride .
I've been riding this trail periodically for several years. The downside of this trail is the trees. They do provide nice shade, however, their roots cause rough spots on the asphalt. The best improvement is at the north trailhead. There's a parking lot for vehicles and nice covered parking for bicycles.
We ride this trail pretty much every evening we have a spare hour. It's an easy, pleasant ride. If we want a longer ride, we start in Old Town Clovis on the Old Town Trail, connect to the Dry Creek Trail, and then continue on the Enterprise Trail. The three trails connect nicely for a pleasant hour and a half ride.
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