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Print Friendly MapThe Enterprise Canal Trail is the less crowded sibling to Clovis' Dry Creek Trail. Beginning from the west end near Sunnyside Avenue, the trail follows its namesake channel southeast towards Highway 168. The trail is paved in some areas, and not yet in others. The first paved segment runs from about 1/4 mile east of Sunnyside down to Nees Avenue. Part of that paved path runs along the stormwater basin, an area that is fenced off but open to visitors. However, there are times when the gates to the pond are shut, blocking access to the trail. Still, users can continue their journey on the dirt path paralleling the canal on the other side of the fence.
Busy Nees Avenue is a natural turnaround point, but for users wanting to go further, they can head left to the intersection of Nees and Temperance Avenues, and the take the sidewalk down Temperance to the canal and the next asphalt section. That stretch runs down to Owens Mountain Parkway, where there is a small commercial area of chain restaurants and a gas station.
The Enterprise Canal Trail is a level walk, run or ride and there are plenty of shade trees along the trail. Future plans for the trail including a building a pedestrian bridge over Highway 168 and extending the trail south. The section at the west end between the Dry Creek Trailhead and the start of the paved part near Sunnyside Avenue is also slated for development.
You can park at the Dry Creek Trailhead (4999 E Shepherd Ave #4971, Clovis). From there you can cross Sunnyside Avenue to the canal trail but be careful as the crosswalk is not marked and this initial trail section has not yet been developed. You may also be able to park in the adjacent neighborhoods or at the shopping center on the south end but as always, follow any parking regulations.
Those joining the trail on foot or by bike can access it at the various cross-streets.
This was such a great trail for my first time out. I was so impressed with the beautiful landscapes area and the serenity of just walking and enjoying every bit of the walk. Love it. Ty
Very nice trail to ride. most of it is along a canal and is very well landscaped. the end on the north needs some work to connect safer to the dry creek trail area . The short area on the street between the two parts is not ideal bur very doable.
This is my second favorite trail of the ones I ride in the Clovis area. One entrance/exit is on Alluvial, west of Temperance - if you wish to continue east, you can cross Temperance Ave and the Enterprise Trail runs along a mainly large field and small farm on one side and close to housing and then another canal, before the trail curves around and heads to the area where McDonald's and Riley's is and then it connects on Temperance. The other entrance/exit is on Fowler, just south of Shepherd Ave.
The path is paved on one side of the canal. If you ride up or walk up to the canal embankment the path is dirt. On the other side of the canal, the path is gravel.
Dependent on the weather, the gates abutting the flood control basin will be closed and locked if rain is predicted, and sometimes it is closed and locked for reasons unknown to me. If you are taking the paved path, you must move up to the dirt embankment to continue along the trail, until you have passed the flood control basin, you can then either stay on the dirt embankment or move back down to the paved path.
Sadly, the Enterprise Trail, which used to end at Sunnyside Ave, just south of Shepherd Ave has been closed off by the residents who live along the canal between Fowler Ave and Sunnyside Ave. You used to be able to move from the Enterprise Trail to the Dry Creek Trail, and vice versa, safely before the gates were put up. Now to get from one trail to the other, you must take one of two very less safe routes.
The Enterprise Trail is totally free from having to stop at any street light or stop sign, (unless you choose to take the extended path that is on Temperance Ave, just south of Alluvial Ave). Because of the lack of having to cross streets, and the way the trail is designed, it gives the trail a feeling of privacy and sanctuary .
When the canal is full, it is gorgeous and many geese, ducks, and coots love to float on the canal and explore the embankments. Many ground squirrels take up residence along the canal, and you will also see grey or red tree squirrels scamper around the trees. If you are on a mobile device (e.g. bike, scooter, skateboard, etc.) - watch out for lizards doing pushups and sunning themselves along the path.
During Spring and fall, the terrain of the flood control basin can be almost calendar-worthy lovely; with cranes, pelicans, coots, ducks and geese, to mention a few. There is also a large, panoramic view of the hills and mountains to the east that is often breathtaking.
In the summertime, dependent on the time of day, the trees lining the paved path on both sides provide much enjoyed shade. Again, dependent on the time of year, acorns often clutter the trail in abundance. If it rains, you may ride or walk through shallow puddles here and there, but nothing unpleasant or adverse.
It is a tranquil trail, quiet and pastoral. There are still some open fields, orchards, and such that you can enjoy along the way.
Parking is not exclusively provided for people to park when wishing to use the trail. You can, however, park in the nearby shopping centers' parking lots or find a spot in the neighborhoods near the trail.
Along the trail, there are gateways to the adjoining neighborhoods where you can enter and exit the trail. If you take one, about midway, you can join up with a very nice trail created in the middle of the housing area and it will take you to Temperance Ave.
The Enterprise Canal Trail is not as frequented by users as the Dry Creek Trail, which is a plus.
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