Explore the best rated trails in Washington, IN, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Limestone Greenway and Patoka Lake Bike Trails . With more than 12 trails covering 48 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
It would be helpful if these reviews included information about the reviewer. A 22 year old, semi-competitive bicyclist is going to barely notice hills that give me fits.
I have a different perspective than most trail users. I am paralyzed from the waist down. My "daily driver" is a manual wheelchair. And for what it's worth, I'm 50 years old; in decent shape for my age, but still not in my 20s! I use a handcycle: basically a three-wheel bicycle that I pedal with my arms. The rear two wheels are just along for the ride. The front wheel does all of the steering, braking, and propelling. As my weight is all on the back wheels, it spins out on too steep of a hill. There is one hill on the Sunset Park end of this trail (coming up from the parking lot) that I could just BARELY do, but I made it work. If the trail was wet, I would have not had enough traction to get out of the parking lot.
The reviews that claim the hills on this trail are "minor" or "moderate" were obviously written by someone much younger than me who was pedaling with their legs, not arms. There are numerous other hills scattered throughout the trail that were quite a challenge for me, even using my handcycle's climbing gears. Please don't misunderstand - it was a great workout that I enjoyed immensely. I don't often get to shift down and use those low (2 to 4 mph) gears, and I learned a lot about climbing efficiently. Plus, of course, the downhill sides were a fun break. I'll likely come back again (I live about 30 minutes away). I just want to state all of this right up front for others who might be looking for something more flat.
Setting aside these handcycle considerations, Evansville has done a commendable job with this trail. It is very nicely constructed and maintained. Even on a wheelchair-width (about 30 inches wide) bike, there was plenty of room to pass and meet other trail users. There are several good places to park, with ample parking spaces. To me, this trail is the perfect blend of natural scenery along Pigeon Creek and the Ohio River and of city riding. It takes you through several of Evansville's excellent parks, right by the casino and where the LST-325 (a landing ship that was used in World War II and has been restored to working condition) is docked. There are historic markers all along the trail. Some other folks complained that it takes you right by a huge scrapyard. They've done a pretty good job blocking that off, but I personally think it's cool seeing a process of that magnitude in operation. Same thing with the waterworks discharge at the Sunset Park end - something neat that most people don't get to see every day. The trail goes through some neighborhoods. You can either ride hard or take your time to see the sights on this trail. I did a combination of both of those. The scenery and the history more than made up for the hills I had to climb.
I would suggest studying the trail map before you leave. The trail is one long continuous path, with the exception of a little half-mile side quest that takes you onto a really cool bridge along the Ohio River (don't miss that). Even so, there are a few places where you might wonder which of numerous options is the trail. Evansville could do a little work on the signage and make a big improvement. There is very little shade, so bring some sunscreen. Also, bring plenty of water/whatever else to drink. Unlike most other public trails I've used, I didn't see any drinking fountains on this one. That would be another great improvement. I'll definitely fill both of my water bottles next time, instead of just one like I did today.
I can't wait to come back to the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage with my wife and daughter on their bikes. It is an asset to the Evansville area. Come check it out. I hope to see you out there!
Beautiful scenery and if you’re lucky you’ll see cows roaming the pastures! Nice trail with a good uphill climb in the middle. Ample parking at all trailheads along the route.
As of May 2025 you can ride about 10 miles uninterrupted from Deam Lake to Pekin. The trail is paved through 5 towns (Borden, Pekin, Salem, Orleans, Mitchell). Restroom facilities are being built in a couple of those towns. It’s crushed lime except in the towns. Very enjoyable trail.
Ran this trail in January. The path is wide and welcoming. I have a feeling it is just breathtaking in the fall. Wish I lived closer so that I could run it more often. I felt safe. Highly recommend.
This trail was not a pleasant experience. I am not from Indiana, but was in town for the day and looking for a new trail to run. In the description it reads that the trail is concrete and asphalt. I looked through some of the pictures for this trail (hardly any that were actually of this trail) and noted that they were quite old, so I thought things may have been updated since then. I was very wrong. If anything, it has been downgraded. Granted, I did run the trail in the winter and there was snow melting, this trail was a big disappointment and basically just a mud pit with a little gravel mixed in. The ONLY part that is concrete is the section that is shared with the 2 other trails that intersect...that being Clear Creek and Limestone Greenway. After you get directly on Bloomington it is all gravel which, to me, wasn't even gravel...it was more like black cinder. There is also a portion of the trail that is through a yard and crosses the road o the rest of the trail. I am sure that this trail is most likely very pretty during the rest of the seasons as there is most likely a heavy tree canopy and the gorge itself was neat to see. The trail was flat. The tree canopy and the flatness was about the only thing going for this trail. I do have to say as an element of safety, being a woman and leaving honest reviews about feeling secure, I didn't feel safe on this trail even though it ran behind houses. There were tent's in the woods. There were homeless people walking the trail. There were bikes left in the middle of the trail...and it was January. I have ran over 50 trails in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Florida, and I was honestly scared on this trail. I would only recommend this if the sun was shining and you were with a group or carried protection of your own.
JUNE 27 2024 MILE MARKER 4.5 FROM BEDFORD TREE BLOCKING TRAIL
My wife and I rode this in early June 2024 not knowing what to expect, but it was a wonderful experience! The trail is well maintained though the west half was not at the same level as the eastern half. Being a rail trail the inclines and declines were gentle, but given the terrain, constant. Make sure your ebike batteries are fully charged!
We're in our 60s and like medium length rides that arent too strenuous.
We started our ride at the west end trailhead at Williams Indiana right by the dam. You have to take a very curvy highway 450 to get there, but the experience was worth it. When you get to Williams, as you exit 450 and head to the boat ramp, go slowly, look to the left and you will see the trail, but there is no signage. There is plenty of parking near the dam. Starting at the end, which is mile marker 10.5, we went 7 miles to mile marker 3.5 and turned around. Most of the trail is in shade through some beautiful hardwood forests with constant bird songs. Every half mile is marked on a post or boulder. Trail surface is compacted gravel in fair condition with a few small washouts to watch for. We dont have wide tires and did OK. Bridges and approaches in fair condition, some bridge deck boards will need attention soon. Weed control is good. Some small branches hanging low over the trail. The first 2 miles or so out of Williams are mostly uphill, about 2 percent grade, then some ups and downs, then about 3 miles of downhill to mp 3.5. These grades are a little steeper than we have encountered on other rails to trails. There are no services on this segment, and weak cellphone signal. And a note to E-bike riders: PLEASE announce your approach to other bikers from behind WELL IN ADVANCE because you typically travel much faster than us pedalers. Enjoy! by kcwyks of Missouri
We're in our 60s and like medium length rides that arent too strenuous.
We started our ride at the west end trailhead at Williams Indiana right by the dam. You have to take a very curvy highway 450 to get there, but the experience was worth it. When you get to Williams, as you exit 450 and head to the boat ramp, go slowly, look to the left and you will see the trail, but there is no signage. There is plenty of parking near the dam. Starting at the end, which is mile marker 10.5, we went 7 miles to mile marker 3.5 and turned around. Most of the trail is in shade through some beautiful hardwood forests with constant bird songs. Every half mile is marked on a post or boulder. Trail surface is compacted gravel in fair condition with a few small washouts to watch for. We dont have wide tires and did OK. Bridges and approaches in fair condition, some bridge deck boards will need attention soon. Weed control is good. Some small branches hanging low over the trail. The first 2 miles or so out of Williams are mostly uphill, about 2 percent grade, then some ups and downs, then about 3 miles of downhill to mp 3.5. These grades are a little steeper than we have encountered on other rails to trails. There are no services on this segment, and weak cellphone signal. And a note to E-bike riders: PLEASE announce your approach to other bikers from behind WELL IN ADVANCE because you typically travel much faster than us pedalers. Enjoy! by kcwyks of Missouri
Our family biked here this weekend and loved it. Very pretty creek and woods area. The trail has lots of benches to rest on and no one else on the trail seemed bothered by our slow caravan of bikers ¿
This trail was awesome. So much beauty throughout between the trees and the lake. Well paved. There is a $7 fee to get in the park but it is well worth it!
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