Explore the best rated trails in Waterford, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Dentoni Park Trail and Bear Creek Bikeway . With more than 17 trails covering 73 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.
Excellent place to start this route is at Michael Faklis Park, which is a well kept and attractive public park with bathroom facilities and plenty of parking. From the park, I headed west on a wide and very well maintained paved bike path, arriving within a few miles at Paradise Marina. If you're up for an extra couple of miles, when the path ends at the marina, continue on the road that runs past the marina: auto traffic is very light, it's along water, with smooth pavement. It eventually dead ends after a couple of miles. Heading back east, you'll retrace your ride to Faklis Park, but continue onward along the path with houses on one side, waterfront on the other. The path does cross a couple of busy streets, with a stoplight at one, and one of those flashing light crosswalks (cars don't HAVE to stop, but usually do when the lights are flashing.
On the day that I rode, there were no homeless encampments, but it was clear that a recent cleanup had been done, with rows of cleaned up shopping carts neatly stacked, and minimal trash along the trail.
This path is flat, family safe (caution at the street crossings, of course). While it is along a body of water and does have some natural beauty, you won't be awed by nature. It's simply a safe, good ride along a very well maintained path, away from auto traffic, and IMHO, definitely worth a visit if you're staying in or passing through Stockton. My sole reason for rating it four stars instead of five is that I'm stingy with five star ratings, which I reserve for paths with all of the above qualities but also boast exceptional natural beauty.
Update: This trail now extends all the way to the intersection of Yosemite Blvd and Lake Rd. The importance of this is that it directly connects with the Lake Road dedicated bike path that takes you all the way to UC Merced and Lake Yosemite on a paved (asphalt) and safe route.
The Rascal Creek (most locals have dropped the "Black" in the title) Bike Path is most definitely worth a ride. A good starting point is Rahilly Park. Heading west(ish), the trail winds along a riparian route, much of which is a well preserved greenbelt. Street crossings (two) are low traffic, while underpasses bypass all the busy intersections (G, M, and R Sts). There are playgrounds (e.g. after R St.) and a disc golf course along the way. The path is well maintained, foot traffic is generally light, and the environment is family safe. Some caution when descending into the underpasses is warranted, especially under G St., as it can occasionally be partially obstructed by loitering humans and/or trash.
Heading the opposite direction from Rahilly Park, the path is bounded by some very pleasant gardening. When you reach McKee turn left, cross at the crosswalk just beyond the very visible fire station, and you'll be back on a bike path that now leads to the Yosemite Blvd/Lake Rd intersection. Though this is the end of the Rascal Creek path, if you do cross the intersection, you'll be able to take a pleasant ride with a mild grade on a paved bike path out to UC Merced, and a bit further on, to Lake Yosemite (great place for a picnic, which also has bathrooms). This would add approx. five miles (round trip) to your ride. Goat heads abound on the bike path at Lake Yosemite, and I recommend using the roadway in the park instead. Enjoy!
This is an easy scenic trail for the whole family. There are markers along the way giving some history as well as remaining iron on the ground. Campground on the east end of trail if you want to camp out
Great family trail! Stopped and had lunch at O’Brien store very close to the trail.
Nice trail thru town...perfect for all ages...
Way to much gravel on the trail. Also, large cracks through paved areas.
Yes as described previously, after 5 miles the road is reduced to-a single track, or foot trail. The River is irresistible in its beauty, worth the trip. The old Railroad bed has experienced many Rock slides over the lay 70 years with no Matinence preformed. You will walk your bike plenty. It’s a great hiking trail.
I have been riding the trail for almost 4 years. It used to be my go to to get conditioning on my bike. I have put on over 4,000 miles since 2017, 3,000 on this trail. I love it. Most everyone is great, however, there is a major issue with people not picking up after their pets. The city provides doggie bags, it’s beyond me why people aren’t more respectful of this beautiful trail.
Took the bikes out for the first time with the wife on her first ride and we decided to ride just around the house and slowly worked her towards the trail and she loved it and did the entire ride and worked our way back home nearly 10 miles on her first ride!! Beautiful riding with great sites.
Great trail with nice views of the delta water ways , nice having this in my back yard , hopefully in the future they can extend it a little further out in the delta.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
