Each season has its own great things to offer.In the spring and fall, Get creative with your campfire or grill to take an everyday sundae to the next level. Otherwise, this is a great trail, very nice personnel at the train station, and lots of places to eat in Muncie! Most of the railroads along the Great American Rail-Trail are literal ones. 4. The premium Tent Sites have water and electric hookups. Our plan was to park our car, with all of our luggage, in Muncie, which is central to this trail. My Advice: Find The D street trailhead and park there, Alternatively, you can consider access points north of Richmond and I-75. They have a cafe here, but I dont use it enough to be able to review it. I enjoy a quiet, peaceful trail for relaxing and meditating---you exercise body and spirit at once. We do agree with the recommendation that others made in previous reviews that you need to make sure you have plenty of your own liquids, as there are not many places to hydrate along the trail. RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL - HUB ETCHISON PARKWAY The Cardinal Greenway trail is part of an organized Rails-to-Trails movement. The scene now totally changes. Including segments on the White River Greenway in Muncie, and the Whitewater Gorge Trail in Richmond, I logged over 2000 feet of elevation gain, and it was noticeable, especially on the southern section where there were moderate, but extended, hill climbs. The latrines - porta potties - were nearly new and surprisingly spic and span. Drove to Richmond and skated north 12 miles. The Pastor and his wife were very hospitable and let us stay in their recreation hall over night. Numerous street crossings are the only drawback on the northern section. Found this by accident while on a bike tour across the states. 3. I transferred over to this west end of the Cardinal Greenway from the east end of the Sweetser Switch Trail. The Greenway between Gaston and Muncie has some bumps and uneven pavement but made it back to Marion safely (with two periods of rain)
Best bike drive in Eastern Indiana in summation. [Peak "Leaf Peeping" season]. Always bring my bicycle along on business trips, to ride at the end of the day. Estrella Mountain is also the site where the Gila and Agua Fria rivers meet, and a 65-acre grassy picnic area. For a map to the trailhead, visit WayNet.org the North 3rd St. For much of this trail, there is no flat, level berm on either side of the trail. Cardinal Greenways Horse Trail is a 3.5 mile linear trail, primarily wooded with modest hills and one water crossing. Its great for a nice short walk with a good flavor of local history. -Rich Ballash, Latrobe, PA 9-14-14. The trail takes its name from the Cardinal, the passenger train that once regularly ran the route. The Cardinal Greenway (TGC) is a multi-use recreational network combining a rail trail and an on-street route that together cross 62 miles (100 km) and five counties in east central Indiana.The greenway, which was designated a National Recreation Trail in June 2003 and in 2018 was named to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's "Rail Trail Hall of Fame." This trail runs through rural Indiana, where local residents are on private wells. That is something we don't seem to be getting much of these days. The parking lot is 0.1 mile straight ahead. The trail appears very well maintained, though a little less so towards Richmond. I don't know who wrote the glowing town review on this page, but there is not anywhere to eat or any interesting activities in either Gas City or Marion to entice you to use this trail. You will find a couple of gas stations with sandwich shops inside. Richmond KOA Holiday is the ideal family campground in Richmond, Indiana. Lots of wildlife. DO NOT PARK HERE. By the way, take a look at the still intact stub of the Pennsy at the grade crossing at the nearby trailhead. Minnetrista. Applies to one-site, for two consecutive nights at the same KOA. HEADS UP
1. From the trailhead, the greenway seamlessly connects to the 3.5-mile Whitewater Gorge Trail, which heads southwest to Test Road. The access points have a consistent appearance, with wood encased and serviced porta-potties, attractive signage, historical markers, high-quality rest benches are set in concrete. A very enjoyable trail and worth the trip to the Muncie area. Gateway trails represent those iconic trails that make possible the Great American Rail-Trail in each of the states it connects. These access points run south to north. a) This spot from the description does not work: "In the heart of Richmond, you can park across from the playing field on Hub Etchinson Parkway." You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account. Unique stone mile markers are situated along the trail. There is a gas station in Losantville, that was open, and lots of bikers using it. UNION PIKE It is 10.5 more miles from the depot to Gaston; this section is quite open and there is little shade. Gorgeous gorgeous trail! There are plenty of rest stops along the way but very little pavilions to help keep you dry if the weather turns wet. 54-mile round trip; cloudless sky; 65- 80 degrees; mostly calm to light W breeze. The folks who put this trail together have done a first class job.The Wysore Street Depot in Muncie is awesome. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. Everything else about this trail is exceptional. It has been fully restored and is quite a nice sight to behold. We host various themed weekend events throughout the camping season to bring We will put you to work!Bring your rakes, blowers and energy. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group theres plenty of ways to stay and explore. These are some of the best, well-taken photographs I have seen from the trail pages. The trail is very well maintained with great amenities at the stops. On Friday we rode from same trailhead in opposite direction 7.5 miles out, just passed the Williamsburg trailhead and back-15M. In about a quarter mile, the trailhead parking will be on your left. -Rich Ballash, Latrobe, PA 9-16-2014. The Sweetser Switch and this trail combine to make 13.7 miles of varied and fascinating scenery, a real treat for ghost railroaders like myself! To receive your FREE chocolate samples, you must present a Chocolate Trail Passport which can be obtained at:The Old National Road Welcome Center5701 National Road E. (U.S. 40), Richmond, IN 473741.800.828.8414. We drive from Indianapolis to ride this trail, usually starting in Richmond and riding to the train station in Muncie, we have done it half way and started in Losantville going either north or south. Your hosts: Dirk & Danielle Schubert, family and amazing staff! Help move around some tables.How about gardening? I loaded the car with the bike, the rack, the bike trailer, the gps, drive the interstate etcI was fully loaded for this test ride. If you combine all of the sections from Richmond to the end of the Sweester Switch Trail, you end up with a ride close to 70 miles long. The other plus is how far apart the trail sections are from each stop sign. We went south (from the Depot) for @ 9 miles to the Red Bud Area and returned, making it our longest trek thus far. South Trailhead. We love this trail! The trail is well marked and well maintained in the sections we rode. Great trail and well maintained. Enjoy biking, hiking, or jogging along the beautiful portion of the Cardinal Greenway rail-trail project in Grant County. This section has some shaded areas, but it is largely very open. Marion Located in Grant County, Marion is the northernmost segment of Cardinal Greenway. Hard-paved asphalt, remote from traffic most of the way. (Richmond). Their website has an interactive map that helps you plan your routes. If you're doing a longer section, I recommend going northwest in the morning, and southeast in the afternoon if possible. Its been around for a few decades, built by a local trail group. Not as many benches and none in the shaded tree canopy sections. If you are into biking for recreation you have to check this one out. Rode it on 7/3/09, Very nice ride, see other reviews of other sections of the Cardinal Greenway. There are hitching rails, a mounting . We planned to go all the way north and back on ther first day and all the way south and back on day 2. Our interactive trail map allows you to get directions to any trailhead. I was looking to add mileage and got as much as I wanted. WHITEWATER GORGE TRAIL There is a red round barn along the trail north of Newman Road. Plenty of places to stop for breaks, nice surface. These gates are rather nicely done - they look quite nice - but they require your attention in order to safely negotiate them. It was her first century and it couldn't have been a better experience. Few amenities along the way. View website. 101. Indiana drivers were very accommodating at intersections. I rode the trail on a fairly heavily laden touring bike to The Seldom Scene Meadow B&B. The Cardinal Greenway is an asphalt paved rail trail from downtown Richmond to a point north of Muncie. Copyright Cardinal Greenways - All Rights Reserved. To the right is a big hill. Cardinal Greenway. After experiencing one especially bad heaved area, i will say that people riding bikes at a higher speed really need to watch these. 14805 W. Vineyard Ave., Goodyear. I have ridden to north of muncie about 5 miles and south of muncie about 7 miles. The trees and ditches could use some cleaning. HorseTrailDirectory.com - Horse Trails and Campgrounds . Spend Memorial Day weekend under the stars.3-night minimumSunday - performance by Wildheart BandCornhole TournamentSkylantern ceremony ($)Staff lead:Arts & CraftsCandy Bar Richmond and Wayne County's self-guided journey down the chocolate trail takes you to one-of-a-kindlocal candy shops/factories, bakeries, ice cream parlor,intriguing gift shops and more.Chocolate is featured at each stop and is presented in many different forms. Richmond is about an hour's drive from where I live in Dayton. Oct 24 I rode the stretch from Richmond to Losantville & back [50 miles]. Some suggestions I would like to make. The South trail head parking is not at the end of the trail in Jonesboro IN.,(its just off of hyw 22 & 35) and one owes it to yourself to go a little further south to see the trails end (it really doesnt end there it just goes onto public streets and meets up eventually with the section in Gaston IN) Theres a really nice walking bridge over the river near the parking area in Jonesboro that will take you to a public park in Gas City IN. I did exactly that, assembled my bike and trailer, and then realized that the bike signage referred to the White River Gorge pathway, and I would have to go down a long length of steep steps. Several miles outside of Muncie, you can take a short side jaunt on E CR 650 S to the Prairie Creek Reservoir. A couple of them have a water fountain. There are many types of RV batteries that both new and experienced RVers should be familiar with. Split rail fences line some sections of the trail and provide a nice touch as well as safety (some of the drop offs by the sides of the trail are significant). 850 N. (Gaston) to Test Rd. Sweetser Trailhead in Converse at 1281 North 700W. 400 W. just south of W. Delphi Pike/US 18 (Marion) and E. 10th St. (Jonesboro); W. Co. Rd. Your site was successfully added to your shopping cart. This is also the only trailhead in Richmond where I remember seeing porta-potties. Stay at Our Campground and RV Park in RichmondYou and your family will have a wonderful time exploring the Richmond, Indiana, area. Cardinal Greenway parking lot .25 miles on north side of road. if youre trying to navigate through town just make sure youre where you need to be. We usually ride on roads so being able to ride without worrying about passing cars was great. Nice ride. My wife and I rode 40 miles on the Cardinal Greenway starting at the Depot and turning around just southeast of Losantville. After the park, you will cross the first of nine bridges in rapid succession. 101. No RV? We use cookies on koa.com to help improve your experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits, troubleshoot how the site operates, and learn more about how koa.com is performing. In 2018, the trail became an inductee into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The trail is in excellent condition. The BAD:
1) OK, Trailink, where is it really? That access is now blocked off to cars. The greenways are well-maintained praved trails suitable for biking, walking, roller blading and skiing during snowy times. Fully enjoyed it. My wife and I rode this section of the Cardinal Greenway in early June 2013. One exception is the Losantville gas station where you can find something cold, which was appreciated. Spanning 62 miles from Marion through Muncie to Richmond and East Central Indiana. Safe and shady most of the way. It is a great place to get exercise on a bike or . I would not hesitate to ride this again. It's easy to strike a conversation with locals, who are very appreciative of this trail. The one thing to be aware of is a couple bad spots/cracks in the pavement that could result in an ankle injury or biking issue, but this should not deter one from using the trail. For a stretch at the beginning of the Cardinal Greenway into Marion, the path runs adjacent to and then crosses an active Norfolk Southern line as the greenway passes through a flat, rural landscape that highlights industrial and farmland scenery. Mel and I rode our tandem on 14-15 April. We have traveled the trail at different times from Gaston to Richmond, and always find something new to look at along the way. If you have little kids on bikes, or if you ever stopped paying attention and drifted off the pavement, then read up. I will be going again. Hayes Arboretum. I live in Richmond and have walked this trail with my dog regularly for about five years. As of this date, everything has been maintained very well. TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Co. Rd. Reason 2 is there are no abrupt turns. 850 N. (Gaston) to Test Rd. I ride it several times a week because it's close and convenient, but I would not travel any distance to use this trail. . I asked a local who was jogging up the steps if this is where I get on. This trail has a slight turn for every half mile of strait away. This is a long post to give details for those who want to use the trail in Richmond. In the last week of October 2022, while heading to N. VA. to attend a hobby show, I decided to bring along the bike to sample some bike trails along the way. The trail itself is often elevated with coarse railroad ballast gravel on both sides. Its not flat the whole way so if you want less challenging landscape, skip ahead to the D Street Trailhead. The trail is currently open from CR 500 South to CR 534 East. Our interactive trail map allows you to get directions to any trailhead. The only downside is that water is only available at approximately a quarter of the rest areas. Elm St. Down the hill you go into the beautifully forested line through Marion. My wife and I did a century ride from Gaston to Richmond and back. The GOOD: The trail is very well put together. No point deduction for this as it does not reflect on the trail, but hey, local Richmond folks the trail-link write up needs an update. The Cardinal Greenway is Looking for a fantastic day in Richmond? Theres plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. The scenery changes enough, so don't worry about getting bored with your surroundings. On July 30 I rode from Richmond to Economy return. The is a three-day, two-night loop so Bertha, Mule and I can shake off the frost after a bit of Winter hibernation, and to give a test run for my heart, legs, and some equipment I've gotten . You cant go inside the building except for special events, but you can use the parking lot any time. Cardinal Greenway . They were well marked, however. My wife and I recently rode the Cardinal Greenway. Learn more at www.greatamericanrailtrail.org. I do agree with some others that a few more water stops along the way would be beneficial, l have been out there on 90+ degree days when l could have used it, although realizing electricity is not really an option at rest stops without considerable costs, it seems maybe a couple bbusinesses along the way, close by could sponsor water stops, that would be well marked from the trail, for example, two points between Losantville and Richmond. I would recommend the Greenway very highly. First, I'll note that I didn't notice any pig farms, despite expecting to on the southern section, nor any Rottweilers. I found the trail easily and rode its entire 20 mile length over a 2 day period. Using the Muncie section of the Greenway is what really made the trip to Muncie very impressed. You can park your car here and go up a steep switchback to get to the Greenway. The Muncie depot offers a nice break from the trail, with restrooms and snacks, but has limited hours that they are open. Lots of fun memories! It now goes under the railroad by North Gavin St, and continues along the river and some switchbacks before crossing a bridge known as Bridge #85 south of East Jackson Street, connecting back up with the Cardinal Greenway west of the river. I really wonder how problematic they are for recumbants, tandems and for folks pulling a carrier. The section from Sweetser to the Miller Avenue trailhead and from 30th street south to Jonesboro is picturesque and safe. You can park there and get right on the trail. I live in FL now and am looking forward to the day when I can return to the cardinal greenway to ride the new sections and connectors. Traveling from Gaston to Muncie, you will experience farm fields along the trail, and shaded canopies offering relief from the hot sun during the summer. WHAT:Stay Friday night, May 12th at a participating campground, and get Saturday night, May 13th for just $20*. but enough that you can tell the difference on he return. Loved it! First stop was Richmond IN, southern terminus of the Cardinal Greenway,
another Rail-Trail Hall of Fame trail [My 4th]. I usually take my bike along on trips like this to ride the local roads. You can schedule your tee time at Highland Lake Golf Course, less than a mile away, or enjoy the beautiful Thistlewaite Falls, various trails and rose garden, right here in Richmond. Access points feature ample parking. Losantville parking area is just off US35, 3.7 miles N of intersection of US35 and IN1; well marked and easy to find. There are several dining options in downtown Muncie, which are an easy trip off of the trail. Take the time to read the background and a short ride on the surface road gives you a better look at the barn. I had a great bike ride and will always remember it with the best of other fine adventures I've been on. Now I am not an avid road cyclist, but compared to other trails I've seen this one is superb. There are places to reprovision water and snacks near the trail all the way. 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Rvers should be familiar with our car, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable go the! This is a red round barn along the way south and back on first. Steep switchback to get to the Miller Avenue trailhead and back-15M the surface road gives you a better at. Start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help keep you dry if weather.