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The Oklahoma River Trails provide a smooth, level 13-mile pathway through downtown Oklahoma City free of motorized vehicle crossings.
About the Route
The tree-lined trails follow the north and south banks of their namesake, offering scenic views of the waterway, parks and wetland areas. A highlight of the route is the Oklahoma National Stockyards, founded in 1910 and, at one time, the nation's top cattle market.
The trail is also only 6 blocks away from a unique bike and pedestrian bridge that's worth a side trip to see. To get to the bridge: From the Oklahoma River Trail on the river's north bank, travel east from Wheeler Park and S Walker Avenue and hop on S Harvey Avenue (or the sidewalk paralleling the street). Head north on S Harvey Avenue to SW 10th Street, where the SkyDance Bridge rising 200 feet into the sky. Its unusual shape was inspired by Oklahoma's state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher. The bridge's 380-foot expanse provides safe passage over I-40. Visit at night to see its colorful lights.
Connections
At its western end on the north bank of the river, the trail connects to the West River Trail. Cross the river from the south bank via the pedestrian bridge paralleling the S Meridian Ave bridge to reach the West River Trail from the northern end of the Oklahoma River Trails.
Just west of Interstate 44 on the river's south bank, the trail connects to the South Grand Trail.
East of the S Mary Ave bridge on the river's north bank, the trail connects to the Will Rogers Trail.
At Regatta Park on the north bank of the river, the trail meets the Bricktown Canal Trail, which provides a connection north into the popular Bricktown district.
The Oklahoma River Trails runs along both sides of the river between S Meridian Ave and Regatta Park (701 S Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City), where there is parking.
Parking is available at several locations along the trail, including:
Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
I rode the Oklahoma River Trail in August 2024. I started at the access at 15th and Portland and rode east. The trail looked great, nice and wide and things were going smoothly until 3.5 miles in my rear tire went flat. There was a large thorn in the tire. I noticed more of them stuck in the front and rear tires. I fixed my flat and immediately turned around. I'm not sure how the north side of the river is but I suggest thorn proof tires on the south side.
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We rode 20 miles round trip beginning at the Trailhead near the Bass Pro Shop & the Westward expansion bronze statues. We had a map that depicted how we could ride the north & south sides of the river and where to cross however the river crossings were not marked well on either side of the trail and caused us a lot of time and stress trying to find them. We travelled west on the north (city) side of the border with trail and crossed the river at the first bridge ¿ about 8 miles. There was a sizeable homeless encampment about 1 mile before the bridge and when we crossed the street bridge a homeless person’s unleashed dog startled us with barks & growls. There were no obvious signs on
Overnight in OKC with our cruisers. Smooth, paved trail with little change in elevation. Windy in April, and on the north side of the river lots of highway noise. So, nice path along the River, but otherwise not very interesting. Path not busy but cyclists who passed us gave no warning.
The trails have just been resurfaced.{January 2021} Very nice and safe
I’ve lived all over the US and some parts of Europe and these are the best and most extensive trails I’ve seen. Nice to be able to ride both sides of the river and on up to Overholser without hitting the street.
One reviewer mentioned flats — my first few rides on the trail I had flats every time, so switched tires to thorn resistant 25s, no flats since.
One surprise is along these many miles of trails, not one drinking fountain anywhere. Perplexing.
I get more flats riding this trail than anyplace else. Occasional glass slivers from broken bottles caused by kids and homeless that occupy the area. Dried pine needles are deadly if you leave the trail. The path is fairly clean except when the city cuts the grass. I have 25mm tires so occasional flats can happen, but some local riders refer to this area as "The Flats" and for good reason.
We rode the trail on the south side (connecting from the Grand Trail). The River trail was wide and well-marked and it was SO nice that the trail went under the cross streets--instead of actually having to cross them. The day we rode the section east of the boathouse was closed, but I think that was a temporary closure. Also, the area around the stockyards smells like a stockyards--which is to be expected but still worth noting.
We rode this / these 'River Trails' in early June, 2013. this was an excellent early morning ride for us. Not much shade, but good markings, good scenery, good surface, generally a good experience, except, maybe the noise of the freeway while on the 'north-side'. The ride was short (about 15 miles) but nice, and there is a plethora of things to look-at and enjoy, visually... - OK City provides a definitely OK place to ride
I found this trail was very well taking care and well laid out. The only thing I didn't like was that the wind was blowing at about 10-15 MPH and I got some unpleasent smells along the way.
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