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The Park at River Walk

4.7 ★★★★★ 4,426 Google reviews · Running trail in Bakersfield, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from The Park at River Walk'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.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAWater

32-acre park with an amphitheater surrounded by water featuring various live music performances.

What runners say about The Park at River Walk

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (4,426 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“A really nice well maintained park with many areas for spreading out so you're not crowded next to other people.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Nice park with picnic tables and benches with beautiful views .”

Nice park with picnic tables and benches with beautiful views . There is something here for every age. Play structure and walking / biking / running paths. Safe area with a lot of people . The park is also very dog friendly.

★★★★★ — Raghav , Apr 2025

This is a very popular place to walk or jog. It has wide walking paths allowing passing other pedestrians easily. There are two lakes connected by a flowing brook. It attracts a variety of water fowl year round.

★★★★☆ — Will , Mar 2022

This park offers a nice open area to get outside and enjoy the weather on a good day. There are lots of paved paths and benches weaving through grass fields surrounding a little lake. There are grills and shaded areas for large groups. There's also a playground and bike paths.

★★★★★ — Thelonius , Mar 2025

Celebrated 3 birthdays on 09/26/23 at the Park at River Walk. It was a beautiful place to have a quick picnic. The area was clean and kept. Several people were out walking their dogs. I will definitely come back.

★★★★★ — Tamara , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 4,426 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“Nice park with picnic tables and benches with beautiful views .”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 8 mentions

“There are plenty of paths for walking your dog, taking a stroll, but be careful of kids on bikes and scooters.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“There are lots of paved paths and benches weaving through grass fields surrounding a little lake.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“The path is wheelchair accessible and can be a great family adventure.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Water fountain near the auditorium .”

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Plan your run at The Park at River Walk

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitebakersfieldcity.us
  • Phone(661) 326-3866
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–10 PM
Thursday 5 AM–10 PM
Friday 5 AM–10 PM
Saturday 5 AM–10 PM
Sunday 5 AM–10 PM

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 The Park at River Walk

11298 Stockdale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93311

Get directions

Running trails near Bakersfield

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

River Walk

4.6 ★★★★★ 480 reviews

Bakersfield, CA

Scenic

Laid-back park featuring lakes, a playground, a dog area and trails for biking and walking.

under a mile away

River Oaks Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 161 reviews

Bakersfield, CA

Scenic

Water-dependent park featuring a playground, picnic spots, and trails.

1.0 miles away

Kern River Parkway

4.4 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews

Bakersfield, CA

3.3 miles away

Truxtun Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 92 reviews

Bakersfield, CA

Park featuring a lake, trails, disc golf, and picnic spots.

4.0 miles away

Wilderness Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 298 reviews

Bakersfield, CA

Compact neighborhood park featuring a playground, shaded walking paths & green space.

4.0 miles away

Yokuts Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 918 reviews

Bakersfield, CA

ShadedDog-friendly

Park with concerts & other special events, plus a playground, picnic areas & bike trail access.

4.8 miles away

All running trails in Bakersfield, CA →

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.