Rio Grande River Trail

New Mexico, Texas

7 Reviews

View Trail Map
View Map
Print
Complete
Favorite
Send to App

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Rio Grande River Trail Facts

States: New Mexico, Texas
Counties: Dona Ana, El Paso
Length: 11.9 miles
Trail end points: South of Washington St. (near Anthony) and Racetrack Dr. (Sunland Park)
Trail surfaces: Concrete
Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT
ID: 7795424
Activities:

Rio Grande River Trail Description

A 10.5-mile stretch of the developing Rio Grande River Trail begins near the Texas/New Mexico border and continues south, connecting the Texas communities of Anthony, Vinton, Canutillo and El Paso. Along the way, you'll enjoy wide open desert vistas and views of the Franklin Mountains.

A short, disconnected section of just over a mile lies farther south in Sunland Park, New Mexico.

Parking and Trail Access

The best access is at Mary Frances Keisling Park on Gomez Rd off Upper Valley Rd. Limited parking is available where the trail crosses Vinton Road in Vinton, Texas. From Interstate 10, take Exit 2 and travel west on Vinton Road (State Route 37). The small parking lot is located just beyond the bridge over the Rio Grande River, which you'll encounter just after the traffic light at Doniphan Drive (SR 20).

Rio Grande River Trail Reviews

Not 11 miles long.

Trail is not 11 miles long only 1.27-miles. Please correct this.

Gentle ride

Nice trail, however, more maintenance needs to be done on the trail to clear away the weeds from cyclists. If you’re in Las Cruces consider starting at the top of the trail otherwise you will be driving half an hour to the end of the trail and riding it backwards. As a couple the trail was fine but I would not ride this alone as a woman.

Rio Grande River Trail Review

Nice trail! It is within biking distance from me. You have nice views of the Rio Grande and of the mountains, other than that it is pretty boring. I do use the trail sometimes to commute from Santa Teresa to Anthony, New Mexico.

Poorly maintained

This trail is very poorly maintained. Bushes are over grown, puddles create mud which covers the hard surface in dirt, and and most recently horses have been using the trail and haven't been cleaned up after. I had to ride portions of this trail with my shirt over my nose. I've ridden twice and gotten thorns in my tires both times. This trail probably works for hiking or running but it's a bust for biking because of the maintenance issues.

Accordion

Rio Grande trail in El Paso was great!

This is an excellent bike trail, flat, empty, and scenic. I followed "bike chic's" excellent directions. I rode south from where I parked for a total of 15 miles round trip.

Best access

The best access is Gomez Rd--Valley Maple St off Upper Valley Rd just north of Country Club road.

Practically impossible to find, but worth it!

I looked for the access to this trail, and FINALLY found it by accident! It is NOT marked, so you must know where to go. The easiest access point is off of Exit # 2 on I- 10. This is Vinton Road (Texas 37 spur). Go west about 1 mile, JUST PAST the stoplight at Doniphan Dr. (Texas 20). There is a Family Dollar store on the north east corner. Cross the bridge and the access is IMMEDIATELY, and I mean IMMEDIATELY on the left. It is JUST AFTER YOU CROSS THE BRIDGE!! You will see a gravel turn off that is only about 50 feet long. There is a gate with big red circle on it...it is closed. You can park right there, but make sure you park so you can get out when you are done...you DO NOT want to get boxed in by other cars!! Once there, you will see the pavement/path in front of you. The scenery is beautiful! You can see mountains on three sides, and you'll see why they talk about the West Texas sky being bigger than other skies!! You'll see roadrunners, and lots of vegetation. The trail goes parallel to the Rio Grande...tho empty, it's still impressive. Be careful...it can flash flood when it rains, so watch the forecast for storms.
The trail does go from Country Club Drive in El Paso to Anthony, New Mexico. As of 3/22/15, Country Club Drive is under construction and it is a nightmare. You have to ride about 1/2 mile along the river levee on gravel to get to the paved trail. I didn't go as far north as Anthony, so I don't know about the access point there. The total distance is 10.5 miles. There are no facilities anywhere, so make sure you take enough water. It's a great desert trail...enjoy!

Nearby Trails

Go Unlimited Today!

  • FREE Account
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Post your trail reviews
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Get a free map in the app!
Register for FREE
  •  
Purchase Unlimited

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.