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Kern River Parkway
4.4 ★★★★☆ 15 Google reviews · Running trail in Bakersfield, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Kern River Parkway yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Kern River Parkway
The Kern River Parkway Bike Trail goes through the city you can take it as a short cut to go to Downtown Bakersfield. Once in Downtown you can go to the GET Bus Station on a bicycle. Run errands on the bus.
I took my dog here to run around and play and he loved it. We will definitely be making this his new park.
This stretch of land offers very scenic views of the river and surrounding wildlife during the day but can be very frightening for night time visitors due to some of the transient inhabitants that aren't of the friendliest nature who dwell there. Visit with caution after dark.
Took my bike out recently to explore. Getting to the trail by bike can be intimidating with all the traffic but once on the actual path, it's quite scenic.
Trail conditions & character
“Restrooms and drinking fountains near Parkway at other parks along the trail.”
Plan your run at Kern River Parkway
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
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