Dawson Springs, KY Running Trails and Maps

71 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around Dawson Springs?

Find the top rated running trails in Dawson Springs, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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11 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Clarksville Greenway

9 mi
State: TN
Asphalt

Cumberland Riverwalk

1.5 mi
State: TN
Asphalt

Hopkinsville Rail Trail

4.76 mi
State: KY
Concrete

Lake Barkley Bridge Multiuse Path

11 mi
State: KY
Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel

Muhlenberg County Rail-Trail

6 mi
State: KY
Asphalt

Adkisson Greenbelt

14.8 mi
State: KY
Asphalt

Blackford Pedestrian Bridge

0.9 mi
State: KY
Asphalt

Cadiz Railroad Trail

2.5 mi
State: KY
Asphalt

Upland Trail

0.6 mi
State: TN
Asphalt

White Plains Trail

1.5 mi
State: KY
Asphalt

Kentucky Lake Dam Trail

1.4 mi
State: KY
Asphalt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview The 9-mile Clarksville Greenway follows an abandoned rail bed on the outskirts of Clarksville north of town and offers 3 more miles of greenway south of the Red River. About the...
TN 9 mi Asphalt
Cumberland Riverwalk follows the picturesque east bank of its namesake river for just shy of a mile in downtown Clarksville. The westernmost endpoint starts along the Red River East Trailhead and...
TN 1.5 mi Asphalt
Hopkinsville Rail Trail, sometimes referred to as the Pennyrile Rail Trail, will one day be more than 7 miles long along the former Fort Campbell railroad spur once used by the U.S....
KY 4.76 mi Concrete
The Lake Barkley Bridge connecting Canton to the Land between the Lakes National Recreation Area was opened in Fall 2019. The bridge features four traffic lanes and a 10-foot wide, protected bike-ped...
KY 11 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel
The Muhlenberg County Rail-Trail in rural southwestern Kentucky connects the community of Central City, Muhlenberg County's largest city, to Powderly and Greenville to the south. As Kentucky's most...
KY 6 mi Asphalt
Adkinsson Greenbelt Park offers an extensive paved trail running throughout the city of Owensboro in Daviess County, Kentucky. It makes its way through many of the city's parks and to a few...
KY 14.8 mi Asphalt
The Blackford Pedestrian Bridge qualifies as a rail-trail because it crosses a refurbished railroad bridge over the Tradewater River, linking Blackford. in Webster County with Crittenden County. The...
KY 0.9 mi Asphalt
The Cadiz Railroad Trail runs for 2.5 miles between an old railroad depot on State route 139 and Fortner Drive at the east end of town. The trail parallels Noel Drive and Lafayette Street, following...
KY 2.5 mi Asphalt
Although short, the Upland Trail in downtown Clarksville features three interesting bridges. The first, at its northern end, connects it to the Cumberland Riverwalk, a beautiful and lively waterfront...
TN 0.6 mi Asphalt
The White Plains Trail runs for 1.5 miles through White Plains, between JP Hanks Road and just east of town, where enters a thickly forested area. The trailhead is a few blocks south of White Plains...
KY 1.5 mi Asphalt
Not many bike trails can offer what the Kentucky Lake Dam Trail does: the paved hike-and-bike path actually travels along the crest of the Kentucky Dam wall on the Tennessee River, providing an...
KY 1.4 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Cadiz Railroad Trail

clean but bumpy

October, 2024 by t5kttwrjmv

2.5-mile paved hike/bike trail has been established on the former right-of-way from downtown Cadi, KY. A great place to spend a couple of hours hiking or for a quick bike trip down a 110-year-old rail corridor. Part of the trail was closed near the park as 10/27/24.

Hopkinsville Rail Trail

very pleasant

October, 2024 by mjshadowen

Mostly flat and partly shady. Concrete. One long bridge with steep grade at each end. Phases 1 and 2 complete. Lots of benches, security cameras/emergency alerts.

Adkisson Greenbelt

Almost completely handcycle-friendly

August, 2024 by pottsman71574

I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. There is one hill on the west end of this trail (right next to Parrish Avenue) that I had to ride down the street to bypass. There's another hill about 1/4 mile from this one that I could just BARELY handle. Otherwise, this trail is fairly flat with a few small hills. A completely flat trail is kind of boring, but I just can't do a really steep one. The Greenbelt is, for me, the perfect blend of flat and steep.

Handcycle considerations aside, Owensboro has done a commendable job with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. There are several good places to park, with ample parking spaces. I have ridden it several times now. I suggest doing what I did - try parking at different lots and seeing which one you like best. My personal favorite is the one off of Higdon Road. It is somewhere in the middle of the trail and lets you go either direction. A 15 mile trail (so 30 miles if you do both directions) gives you a lot of options, especially if you're looking for a 5 or 10 mile ride.

As other reviewers have noted, they could have done a better job with signs. In town sections of the trail, it's sometimes a bit difficult to know if you're still on the trail. I'm from here, so I have been watching the trail being constructed for years, so it makes sense to me. If you're new to it, download and study a map of it and you should be good. A map will also show you the numerous parking lots.

There are a large number of road intersections. Owensboro drivers aren't known for paying attention, so be careful! There are good markings and flashing lights at all the intersections. Plus, it's fun to take little side quests down many of these roads that are wide enough for cars plus a wheelchair-width handcycle.

The trail provides a good mix of city streets, farm fields, and woods. There are a lot of spots without shade, so bring some sunscreen if the sun bothers you. The parks departments do a great job maintaining the trail, but there are quite a few tree root bumps in some of the sections. Watch your front wheel, slow down a bit, and you'll be fine. There are about half a dozen portable toilets along the trail, and tons of benches for a rest stop.

Like I said, I live within easy driving distance of the Greenbelt. The only thing more handy for me is to just leave my driveway and hit my local roads on my handcycle, which I do often. However, when I don't want to fight cars or when I have my daughter on her bike with me, the Greenbelt is my first choice. It is an asset to our community. Come check it out. I hope to see you out there!

Accordion

Muhlenberg County Rail-Trail

Almost completely handcycle-friendly

August, 2024 by pottsman71574

I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. However, I also have a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my hands. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. This trail, being built on an old railroad bed, is fairly flat, which makes sense considering that trains can only handle a very gradual grade. There are definitely very long, gentle uphills (and obviously downhills in the other direction) that provide a good challenge if you hit them fast enough. The only part I couldn't do was on the very end of the trail (the Central City end). There is a steep hill connecting the trail to the parking area. Thankfully, I parked at the Greenville end, where there is ample parking and a flat transition to the trail.

Handcycle considerations aside, Muhlenberg County has knocked it out of the park with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. As a railfan, I enjoyed seeing the old railroad structures and the P&L caboose that are beside the trail. It has a minimal number of road intersections, with only one of them a high-speed road requiring lots of rider attention. All of them are marked. There are plenty of benches for a rest. The first 1.5 miles or so of the Greenville end are through town. The rest of it is in a very natural setting with ample shade. I liked seeing the huge, old slough; the areas where the railroad had blasted through hills to make the railbed flat; and the numerous little creeks that run beside and under the trail. I live about an hour away, but I'll happily make that drive and hit this trail again.

Lake Barkley Bridge Multiuse Path

Mountain bike/trike dream trail

July, 2024 by jheastman

Very shaded non technical trail with lots of ups and downs and turns. Beautiful wood with lots of birds! Recommend suspension bikes/trikes due to some rough rocky areas. This is our favorite non Rails to Trails ride!

Blackford Pedestrian Bridge

A Hidden Gem

June, 2024 by mike.creasey

Being a nearby resident I had heard of this trail and tressel plus had seen a sign pointing towards the direction to it. I recommend going to it via Ky 109 or US 60. Rely on the Trails map ‘cause it’s accurate. The trail is paved and flat except the floor of the tressel which is wood. Extremely well cared for. Shelters are on the south side. Only reason for not getting a 5 is due to no restrooms. Otherwise if you’re in the area don’t pass it up. You’ll not regret it.

Clarksville Greenway

yikes

May, 2024 by hr8dq8ndkm

This travel is not for your young children riders and beginner bikers, there are way to many people, people and there dogs. Doesn’t seem to be enough room when passing on the some session where there are steep drop offs very unsafe. This was me and my family’s first time and probably our last time going there, we turned around and left. Maybe we would enjoy it more if we didn’t have young and unexperienced riders

Muhlenberg County Rail-Trail

Nice trail for a fall trip.

October, 2023 by vc2019

Trailhead in Greenville is across from Clark Tire Center and has nice picnic table nearby. The trail is in good condition, saw some birding along the way and a nice city park at Powderly. Bathrooms at the HS were closed for the season.

Adkisson Greenbelt

Diverse Trail

August, 2023 by wegot2go

A diverse trail running alongside busy streets, fields of soybeans, wooded areas, and into small communities with lush greenery and small lakes. Not well marked.

Cumberland Riverwalk

Connects you to other unique trails!

August, 2023 by nadia9

We love to bike the Riverwalk. This trail is actually connected by Austin Peay Greenway on one end, and Upland trail on the other end. If you start at Austin Peay Greenway trailhead, you can walk/bike through the Riverwalk and connect to Upland trail. There are swings and picnic tables along the way, and even on a busy day you can find somewhere to stop have lunch. Last weekend we biked all three trails and I was amazed at how beautiful, accessible, and clean everything was.

Upland Trail

One of our favorites!

August, 2023 by nadia9

We love Upland trail for our family. It is a short, easy, and secluded trail. You will see parts of the city you don’t otherwise pay attention to. Eventually this trail will be continued, and will connect to Valleybrook park. I cannot wait for that final phase to be completed! Walking takes about 30-40 minutes, and biking takes about 15.

Lake Barkley Bridge Multiuse Path

Another Name For This Trail.

August, 2023 by rthomann1314

Just an FYI that this trail is also called the Central Hardwood Scenic Trail. We tried riding from the Golden Pond Visitor Center but it quickly became rugged and too much for us. We went to the Sunset Trailhead and road East on the paved section. We totaled 16 miles but could’ve gone further. If you’re in the area, Calvert City also has a nice path thru the town and city parks.

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