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River Walk Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 281 Google reviews · Running trail in Columbus, Mississippi · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from River Walk Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.

Paved2 miOpen 24hShadedLit at nightScenicStroller / ADARestroomsWaterMile markers

What runners say about River Walk Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (281 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“there is entertainment for everyone very clean environment”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Beautiful views while enjoying the nice paved trail.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“There’s ample parking, and the shade from the trees makes for a lovely experience whether you’re on the water or on the trail.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

In Starkville for a wedding and came to walk this trail. Great walk with my wife.

★★★★★ — Tom , May 2025

2 1/2 miles of paved walkway. Out and back. Beautiful. Some shade. Half you can see the River. The other half is through trees. Great for kids to bike and roller blade. Some benches along the way. Well maintained. Lighted at night. Felt safe.

★★★★★ — Hro , Apr 2021

The first part of the trail runs through the forest. Only the later part is closer to the river. You can hear traffic noise from a close by street when walking the first part.

★★★★★ — Eberhard , May 2024

What a wonderful place to get your steps in! Nice and wide and smooth for those that have mobility issues. From the starting point by the water tower it meanders by the Tombigbee River for 2.2 miles one way.

★★★★★ — Sandra , Dec 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 281 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🛣️ Paved surface 8 mentions

“It has concrete walks so even after a rain you can still walk.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Beautiful views while enjoying the nice paved trail.”

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💡 Lit for night running 5 mentions

“There are lights although I have not walked after dark.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“There’s ample parking, and the shade from the trees makes for a lovely experience whether you’re on the water or on the trail.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Bathrooms available midway.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at River Walk Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitevisitcolumbusms.org
  • Phone(662) 328-4164

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find River Walk Trail

Columbus Riverwalk, Columbus, MS 39701

Get directions

Running trails near Columbus

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

20.2 miles away

Chadwick Lake Walking Trail

5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Starkville, MS

Loop

20.7 miles away

McKee Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 393 reviews

Starkville, MS

Shaded

Park featuring pavilions, concessions & restrooms, plus tennis, baseball & basketball facilities.

23.3 miles away

Bluff Lake Boardwalk

4.8 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

Starkville, MS

BoardwalkScenic

Scenic nature preserve with boardwalks and paths for hiking, plus a wetland and a lake.

24.8 miles away

All running trails in Columbus, MS →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.