The Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails path extends along abandoned rail beds from the Marine Corps base at Camp LeJeune (Midway Park area) 6.3 miles northwest to Marine Boulevard in Jacksonville. The plan is to make the rail-trail part of a 172-mile network of pedestrian paths that will link with a number of notable Jacksonville sights, including Riverwalk Crossing Park and the Beirut Memorial.
While the public trails ends at the intersection of Holcomb Blvd and LeJeune Blvd, there are additional rail trails that continue south on Holcomb Blvd. run past the Visitor's Center and throughout the Marine Base. The Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails path is a proposed part of the East Coast Greenway, which runs from Maine to Key West, Florida.
The Jacksonville-Camp Lejeune Rails-to-Trails runs between Chaney Ave & E Railroad St (New Bridge Middle School) and Holcomb Blvd near LeJeune Blvd/SR 24 (Camp LeJeune).
Parking is available at:
These are approximate addresses, please see TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
The actual trail head is just beside the Jacksonville Station (it’s a bus transit station) 1300 N Marine Blvd Great place to park in the long term area and get on. Wonderful benches along the public side of the military base fence all along the trail. We took our four year old the whole way on his bike and enjoyed it. It was work on the way back, but good. Def park at the bus station.
Another place to park and start the trail is at the new (old) Jacksonville Station on Marine Blvd. It has plenty of free parking and the trail passes right in front of the station. From there it is 4.9 miles to another public parking area just outside of one of the Camp Lejeune gates. At about the halfway point, just after crossing on the elevated pedestrian walkway you can take the side trail which takes you app. 3 miles to the Memorial Gardens . This whole section of the trail is well paved and well maintained.
Start your ride or walk at the Memorials Parking Lot (do not ride bikes in the memorials) proceed on the bike path and board walks approx 2.5 miles to the tunnel on left, go through and join Rail Trail path, turn right an go 3.3 miles to Trail head, turn and return, go past the the tunnel & over bridge, proceed follow the trail all the way to the old town, follow to Riverwalk Park, and follow Bike signs to the riverfront an continue following signs past Stuggeon City Enviro education Ctr, you can go in if you wish, continue following bike path signs to Wilson Bay Park for a brief stop, then continue back to the Memorials parking lot, total miles, approx 17 miles.
Wonderful paved trail. Did see a Copperhead on the trail!!
Actually, if you complete the entire trail (CLNC old gate to just past Jones Funeral Home) it is a litte over 7 miles. I have walked this trail many times, even by myself, both during the day and at 5:00 pm after work (I carry mace and taser). It gets a litte scarry in some parts and you definately need to be aware of your surroundings. Very shady and paved with asphalt so it has a little more cusiony of a step. If I could change anything about the trail, it would be the following: Extend it to a full 10 miles, have better security (I have NEVER seen a JPD bike patrol on the trail), a couple of water fountains along the way. Thats it! Overall, very enjoyable! mejf
Leaves a lot to be desired. Lots of trash,denied access to halve the trail on Camp. When will the 52 miles be available? Two miles is a joke.
Walked from the endpoint at Onslow to the pedestrian bridge over Lejeune Blvd. The trail follows Marine Blvd. for awhile and then finally heads into a more wooded area, allowing trail users to enjoy some peace and quiet. Saw lots of cyclists but only a few walkers/runners. One thing the trail seems to lack is garbage cans! I did not see a single one. Also, while there are signs recognizing the group or organization that has adopted each section of the trail (for litter control, etc.), it would have been nice to have some signs with information about the trail itself-- what it's called, where it goes, etc. This would be especially helpful for people like myself who are visitors to Jacksonville. This trail is certainly a step in the right direction for the health and well-being of Jacksonville residents.
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