Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapWater is the common theme of the 7.5 mile West River Trail in southwest Oklahoma City. The paved trail runs along the North Canadian River, connecting Lake Overholser to the south bank of the Oklahoma River. Kicking off at NW 10th Street, the route winds south along the waterway, dips under Interstate 40 and whips east, wrapping around Crystal Lake. It then crosses S MacArthur Boulevard before terminating at SW 15th Street and Meridian Avenue. The Oklahoma River Trail begins not far from this endpoint, and can be found a little further south along SW 15th Street
The West River Trail is an all-ages, year-round and multi-use pathway. It delivers scenic river views, as well as opportunities for bird- and wildlife-watching. The trail is moderately used and tends to be rather quiet. It is the first of three trails constructed through the MAPS 3 capital improvements program.
There is a parking lot south of Lake Overholser on NW 10th street just west of Council. Additional parking is on W. Reno just west of Council and at Crystal Lake (6625 SW 15th St) on SW 15th street west of MacArthur.
The pros: felt safe, not crowded, convenient location, relatively wide and flat, good graffiti
The cons: very hot and sunny, not scenic, industrial with construction and service truck parking lots, lots of stinky smells including the North Canadian River, can hear the roar of the highway
The WeRT has been a great addition to OKC trails. This relatively flat paved trail runs about seven miles from Lake Overholser to SW 15th and Meridian where a bicycle bridge connects to the River Trail for another seven miles. At Overholser you can take the "lake to lake" connecting trail and bike lane for an additional 10 miles on the Bert Cooper trails around Lake Hefner.
The WeRT offers wildlife viewing. I have seen countless birds, including a bald eagle, a bobcat, deer and road runners along this trail.
Leaving from the river, the trail is currently closed at Reno due to construction closer to 10th. Still a beautiful ride thru the trees, near ponds over a super nice surface.
This is by far the best OKC trail for inline speed/fitness skating. It has one of the smoothest surfaces; it only crosses one road, which has very little traffic; and it joins with the Overholster Trail and the Oklahoma River Trail (South side). (Regarding its joining with the OK River Trail: The "cul-de-sac" actually leads to a bridge which you cross--on dedicated trail space--to join with the OK River Trail past a hotel.)
This is a really nice trail. It doesn’t have any really steep hills and it winds around lakes and alongside the river. There are only two places where it crosses streets—at SW 15 and at a dead-end cul-de-sac. Neither crossing has much traffic. My only complaint is that it doesn’t connect with the Oklahoma River Trails to the east. There is about a 0.75-mile gap between the two.
_161957_nb.jpg)
_184615_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
_161960_sc.jpg)
_161959_sc.jpg)
_161958_sc.jpg)
_161954_sc.jpg)
_161952_sc.jpg)
_156203_sc.jpg)
_139225_sc.jpg)
_139224_sc.jpg)
