Explore the best rated trails in Happy, TX, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Caprock Canyons State Park Trailway and Old Soncy Trail . With more than 3 trails covering 71 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We only did a stretch of it to the Los Lingos Bridge. The trails in the park itself are way better than this. It just cuts through farmland, it is bumpy and rocky and, in spots, muddy. Definitely not the caliber we have been spoiled with for an official rail to trail path. You need a mountain bike for this imo.
The Rock Island Rail Trail is a nice, wide, flat, urban, concrete trail with lots of trees planted along the way. There are benches, gazebos, and a couple of water fountains. However, there is no parking or restrooms. There are several road crossings with traffic lights. I found it disappointing due to the lack of anything to see except the road on one side and backyard fences and dumpsters on the other.
On September 20, 2023 we drove to the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center on N. Soncy Road in search of the trail head and parking. There was major construction going on related to the new highway loop. It was difficult to even get to the nature center. When we arrived we talked with the woman who worked there. She told us that the trail no longer existed and that it had been engulfed by the new roadway. We were quite disappointed and would recommend that this trail be taken from the Rails to Trails Conservancy web site. Perhaps there will be a replacement or enhancement in the future. My advice........look for another trail in Texas.
It’s a shame Amarillo has allowed the Rock Island Rail Trail to be overtaken by the city’s homeless. The rail trail used to be a convenient and safe location for bicyclists, walkers, and runners. That is no longer true. There are too many homeless people sleeping on the benches or in tents alongside the trail, blocking the trail with their carts, and leaving behind their garbage. I no longer find it enjoyable to use the trail, and I don’t feel safe anymore.
I rode about 19 miles round trip from the Quitaque trailhead to the Clarity tunnel and back. Be aware that north of highway 689, the trail is not maintained and can be quite rocky with large clumps of grass. Fatter tires are better. Somebody else has posted a photo of a sign describing this section not being maintained, but that was back in '09 and the sign had weathered away by 2023, so I only found out once I was on it. I rode it with 38c's and it was manageable. It appears like they just pulled up the tracks and bedding and called it done. Piles of railroad ties can be seen here and there along the trail.
Once south of 689 the trail is graded with pea gravel and quite nice. You could even do most of this section on a road bike, though that is probably a poor idea. I did see ruts in a couple of spots so watch out for those.
The Los Lingos bridge is fairly long and can be windy, so be prepared. It appears to have undergone some upgrades in 1980, as many of the concrete slabs are numbered and dated. There is a history panel a little south of the bridge that describes the history and offers some photos of it under construction in the late 1800s.
There are a few more of those history plaques. The first one I encountered described the "valley of tears". (Not to be confused with the infamous "trail of tears".) This one was where native Americans had abducted and transported captured settlers.
Another one of interest pointed out what appeared to be grain silos in the distance, but were actually wash tanks for the gravel bedding for the railroads that was mined from this area.
The Clarity tunnel is famous for housing bats, but I was there in late March while the bats were still on holiday in Mexico.
A pretty good trail, but be prepared for some rocky paths and wind.
Nice enough trail for a stroll on our way through town. Not a lot to see but well paved. A bit of an arboretum with trees and signs indicating what they are.
We tried to enter at south end. Only 1/4 mile and then completely unavailable due to construction. Not able to get around so gave up.
I found this trail on traillink. Stopped here and skated it early on a Saturday while doing a X-C road trip. It is a great skating trail with a very smooth concrete surface. There are seams every 10' in the concrete, but my wheels rolled over them easily. The cross streets had crosswalks on them. I took it slow there, but did not have any trouble crossing them. Early on a Saturday morning, there was very little traffic on the trail. Very well maintained.
The gaping hole near the corner of avondale and plains needs to be fixed so a biker does not get hurt. Who do we contact to get it fixed?
mary
A friend and I, both with a fair bit of riding experience, planned to ride from Turkey to Estelline and back. It is mid-summer, so we started at 5AM with headlights on our bikes with a goal of being done around 1PM. All the way to Tampico Siding was great. From Tampico to Parnell Station was absolutely terrible. Overgrown, rough, sketchy bridges. We had 4 flat tires before we got to Parnell. Luckily we had spares, but at Parnell, we opted to go out to the highway the rest of the way.
As others have said, there is no water or services on this side of the trail. Once you leave Turkey, you better have it with you if you need it.
On a high note, the Hotel Turkey is really cool and has some really amazing food. I was impressed!
Rode the trail out today. West end to east. Its great. Some traffic to deal with at street intersections. Be careful.
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