Biking the Fresno-Clovis (CA) Bike Trails

This 13 mile paved trail runs from Fresno to Clovis, California, combining two former rail corridors into the Fresno Sugar Pine Trail and the Clovis Old Town Trail. I began in Fresno, parking behind the cinema at River Park Shopping Center on Nees.  The trail begins under the freeway underpass. The first mile runs along office complexes and then a residential area. You'll notice the thousand of trees that have been planted along the trail.

Being an urban trail, there are many, many road crossings, most protected by underpasses, traffic signals, or stop signs, but not all, so use caution. After the underpass beneath Willow Road, you'll know the Sugar Pine Trail ends and the Old Town Trail begins by this gateway...

When you reach the statue of the walking doctor and Tom Stears Station, it appears the trail ends. You can turn left and go to the next street, Hughes, which has a bike lane to get to the next block where the paved trail resumes.  Or even better, go straight ahead into the Clovis public parking lot for Old Town, and at the first street go right and you'll find the old main street seen below...

The Clovis Trail, at about mile 10.5, the trail ends at a white fence blocking the trail with railroad tracks starting on the other side of the fence. If it continues beyond somewhere, I saw no indication of it resuming.

Two trails branch off from the Old Town Trail. Spud's Spur is a short access trail from a neighborhood, but the Dry Creek Trail adds a lovely 5 miles or so to your ride as it runs along the creek as seen here...

... then at Clovis Road take the sidewalk to the left past Cottonwood Park, then cross both Alluvial and Clovis Roads at the intersection, and continue as the trail runs through Dry Creek Park, past the botanical garden, and then by an upscale neighborhood. After about 2.75 miles, the pavement ends, but it appears you could bike on the dirt dike along the canal/creek across the street.


Parking:

To reach the southern trailhead in Clovis, from Highway 99, exit at CA-180E, proceed 7 miles to exit at 63 (Clovis Avenue) and then head north for 2.5 miles. The trailhead is on Clovis Avenue, 0.3 mile south of the intersection with Dakota Avenue. There is no parking at the trailhead, but users can park along Dakota Avenue or any of the stores along Clovis which the trail parallels.

To reach the northern trailhead in Fresno, from Highway 41, exit at CA-135 (Friant Road/Blackstone Avenue). Go south on Friant/Blackstone 0.5 mile, and turn left on West Nees Avenue. The trailhead will be on your left, under the freeway overpass. There is no parking at the trailhead, but you will find ample parking at River Park Mall, on your right.