For much of its route, the Rock Island Rail Trail in Amarillo parallels Plains Boulevard, stretching 4 miles between Coulter Street and 7th Avenue at Crockett Street. The trail follows an old rail corridor through an older mixed residential and commercial part of the city.
There's not much shade along this wide paved trail—though there are trees here and there—and you'll find a lot of street crossings, but there are rest areas with picnic tables.
There is no official parking but you may be able to park along the trail behind the businesses off 10th Avenue at the eastern end.
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.
We came all the way from Pennsylvania to ride on a nice trail in the Amarillo Area and were very disappointed. We found the trail (or at least saw it) from a road that runs parallel to it. Unfortunately we rode almost its entire length in our car but found no parking. None at all. Very disappointing. Would recommend riding at other trails 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.
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.
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