Platte River Trail (WY)

Wyoming

4 Reviews

The Platte River Trail provides 10 miles of paved pathway through the Wyoming community of Casper. The trail hugs both sides of the North Platte River from Paradise Valley Park on its west end to the North Casper Sports Complex on the east side of town. On the journey, you’ll have views of the river and city skyline and traverse several parks and natural landscapes. Look for interpretive signage, wildlife viewing spots and public art along the way.

A good place to begin your trail trip is Morad Park, which offers river access and picnic tables—a perfect place for a picnic lunch. From there, you’ll head north and soon reach the Fort Caspar Museum, once a frontier outpost and now a place to learn about Casper’s first 100 years. You’ll cross the river and follow its northern shoreline, soon arriving at the Tate Pumphouse, a beautifully restored historical building with an outdoor patio and views of Casper Mountain.

Continue heading east along the north side of the river to reach Amoco Park. If instead, you cross the river at the Pumphouse, you’ll trace the southern shoreline past the Three Crowns Golf Course, a public 18-hole course. If you’re up for more riding, east of the golf course you can also pick up the Casper Rail Trail, which loosely parallels U.S. Highway 26.

Past Amoco Park and the golf course, the trail winds northeast into North Platte Park. The trail skirts the North Casper Soccer Fields and ends shortly thereafter at the Bryan Stock Trail.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available on the trail’s west end at Paradise Valley Park (31 Begonia St.) and at Morad Park (2800 SW Wyoming Blvd.), midway at Amoco Park (1007 W. 1st St.), and on the trail’s east end at the North Casper Soccer Fields (1600 E. K St.).

Worth the 1,000 Mile Drive!

October 2021 thejake91739

In late September of 2021, my wife and I traveled from Southern California to Casper in order to ride this trail in our quest to bicycle in all fifty states. It was most certainly worth the one thousand mile drive!
We rode every square foot of the trail and its spurs, and enjoyed the changes and contrasts in the various portions.
We experienced the trail on a Saturday morn, so it was being used to a great extent by walkers, joggers, bikers, families, dog walkers, and even volunteers clearing brush.
So much made this ride enjoyable for us: the perfect fall weather and colors, friendly trail users, beautiful river views, and clever art installations.
The only thing not five star worthy is the condition of the root damaged asphalt in a few sections, but for the most part the path is well maintained and smooth riding.
There are a couple of short climbs, especially one toward the north end, but it's worth it for the spectacular view of the river with which it rewards you!
For those of you in Casper, you know what a gem you have in the Platte River Trail. For those of you passing through or looking for a bike riding destination in Wyoming, go for it!

visiting Casper from out of state. the East side of the trail is disappointing

August 2020 richardmorehouseii

Started on the East side at the soccer complex. Got as far as Lansing Field and had to turn around. Trail was closed as it looks like it was being leveled and re- asphalt. Went past the soccer complex and ended up on a busy road where the trail looks like it comes to an abrupt end. There is little to no signs or alerts. Going to Rotary tomorrow to hike and bike Then going to the West side of the platte river trail. Hoping ...

pleasant path along the North Platte

August 2020 kellywheeler

We enjoyed riding our mountain bikes along this path, which covers diverse sections of Casper and is also enjoyed by many local walkers and runners. It took us more than two hours to ride the trail end to end (we did get lost and backtracked a couple times). Probably a good idea to keep your app open so you don’t ride over the bridge to the other side and end up in the wrong place.

A Perfect Trail along the North Platte River

October 2017 hickok23

The trail is 10 miles of all-concrete, alternating on both sides of the North Platte River, from Riverbend Road in the (south)west to the North Casper Sports Complex in the (north)east. It mostly follows the river, with an extension loop [which is only shown in Google Maps (yet)] around the Three Crowns Golf Course on the south bank of the river, and it is a fantastically well-kept trail, even with bike repair stations on the way.
For convenience of parking, and because we wanted to see the grounds and the museum, we started our ride at Fort Caspar, and then rode towars the north-east, I alll the way up to the end and back, whereas my wife turned around sooner. Both of us thoroughly enjoeyd the ride.