We had an amazing morning walking my pup at the Kern River Parkway! It was a gorgeous day, and there were plenty of squirrels for him to try to befriend. We obviously stopped to grab a morning cafecito as we embarked on our walk! There was so much life happening! People walking their dogs, jogging, biking, and just enjoying the beautiful Bakersfield weather. Such a fun and peaceful time. I'll definitely be bringing my pup here more often! read more

I cycle all over the USA and some other countries, so last Sunday thankfully I was able to travel to Bakersfield to cycle the 20 mile (40 mile RT) paved Kern River Parkway Bike Trail I heard so much about. First I just have to say that the other cyclists I met on the trail here was so friendly that I thought that I was in Louisiana. What I mean is that when I am cycling in Irvine, Newport Beach or Santa Monica where I ride most of the time, less than 5% of other cyclists will say hello to you and less than 5% of other cyclists will respond if you say hello to them. But in Bakersfield, at least 75% of the cyclists that I past on the path said hello to me!! I could not believe it! I did not know what was going on? I was not used to that hospitality. What do they put in the water in Bakersfield? Maybe they all knew I was not from the City so they were being friendly--they probably all knew one another? It was a weird contrasting experience to life in LA. Anyway--I can write a book about my day on the Trail but will keep it concise: I parked at the River Walk Park which is located at 11298 Stockdale Hwy, 93311 (for those not from the city). Or you can can park at the outdoor shopping mall next door that has lot's of restaurants and a Target. (Don't park in front of any stores to bike ride--park in the middle or back.) From here, I first road the Trail West 9 miles to the end point. It's a lonely desolate stretch--I have never ridden anywhere where I was so alone for miles with no roads or cars. You can ride as fast as you want over here and bother no one. Every so often I came across someone. I did see a few single men and women riding alone that made me feel better. Then I returned to the River Walk Park--had lunch at the car from my cooler and then traveled East on the Path to the end. The East section passes bike stores, exit Coffee Road (which comes up right away) for Trader Joe's or Sully's Convenience Store or Starcrooks. You pass many parks and lakes and some restrooms. I saw on the East section of the path along the Kern River an Ecological Disaster with tons of garbage all over the river bed, graffiti, and homeless camping for endless miles. Some of the homeless were so entrenched that they had well developed tents, backyards, dogs, and even hanging clothes up to dry as if they have been living there for a long time. There were certain sections that were either scary or disconcerting riding the path alone. I felt like I needed to bring a handgun for protection to do this ride. As nice as it was having 20 miles of no car, well paved bike path in each direction, I am not sure I would do this ride again alone--I would if I returned with a riding partner. I gave the path 5 stars out of respect for Bakersfield years ago taking the planning time and resources to build a great bike and walking trail for the public. But what I saw going on along at least 8 miles of that path was an absolute disgrace that if was in charge of this city I would not tolerate for a second. I would fight every legal battle to return that River bed and it's adjacent areas to the condition it was 20 years ago. You do not have a right to set up residence in a public area. What I saw will cost tax payers Billions of Dollars in environmental cleanup. And yes, here is LA this is a problem too. Overall it was a Great day in Bakersfield--I can tell some of the best people in California live here. read more

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This is the perfect place to go for a run or bike ride. The path is very long (I still don't even know how many miles!) and there are lots of side trails to explore. There isn't much shade and the views don't change too much even with longer distances, but it sure is a great place to exercise outdoors in Bako. So far, I've spotted coyote, rabbits, and road runners while riding my bike. People on the path are friendly and courteous to others when sharing the road. There are some unhoused encampments along the side of the Parkway, but with so many people on the trail cycling, skating, running, and walking, it always feels very safe. read more

The Kern River Parkway is my favorite place to exercise whenever I visit Bakersfield. I like that it's in walking distance from where I stay and it's easy to use the path for walking, running, riding a bike or roller blading. I like that there are several signs mile marker signs posted in case you're keeping track. The parkway path is paved and there is also an option to run on the unpaved Tuhohi trail run path trails if you want to. In addition to using the parkway to run, walk, bike, or skate, people also visit the parkway to engage in activities such as fishing, play disc golf, playing volleyball or meeting up to do boot camp classes. Although I have used this path numerous times, I was surprised to read the various monuments highlighting the impact of Native Americans in Bakersfield. The only sad thing about the Kern River Parkway is that there is lots of trash on the ground in some areas of the parkway path as well as some areas where you can see that homeless people are camping out in the woods. As long as you avoid these areas, you will have an enjoyable experience at the parkway. Overall, visiting the Kern River Parkway is a great way to stay connect with nature of a regular basis as well as wonderful opportunity to move one's body in a car of ways. read more

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Raise your hand if you like to exercise! Did you raise your hand? No? Neither did I. Unfortunately, exercise is a good thing that we need to do if we want to be or get in shape. The Kern River Parkway provides a great trail to get some much needed exercise. It is approximately 20 miles long. We never bike on the Kern River Parkway unlike the majority of folks. We prefer walking or jogging along a 5 mile stretch of the trail. Of course, we make sure to stay out of the way of the cyclists. I've seen some folks get really pissed off at pedestrians walking along the path close to the Park at Riverwalk. Anyhow, there are multiple points of entry onto the Kern River Parkway. Many parks along the parkway as well. We prefer entering the KRP from the Park at Riverwalk. I think it is the nicest and shadiest area of the Kern River Parkway. Other parts of the trail can get a bit desolate. The west side of the Parkway past Allen Rd. all the way to Enos Lane is not too crowded because there are less folks walking or jogging. Also be on the lookout for bobcats or other wildllife. Heading East past Truxton, one should also keep an eye out for wildlife and vagrants. Best to be riding, walking, or jogging with a friend or two or three. For the most part, though, the Kern River Parkway is terrific! So glad to have it in Kern County!! Thank you to all who help maintain this cool place!! read more

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*AKA Bakersfield Bike Path* Bakersfield streets are far from bike friendly. In fact, we have some of the highest bike and pedestrian fatalities in the country. Which is why I'm quite hesitant to bike around town. Thank GOODNESS for the 6000 acres of Kern River Parkway It was especially nice to be able to ride and not worry about cars or too many people. For the most part, everyone on the bike path adhere to the rules. I say rules rather loosely. Essentially slower traffic stays to the right. Watch out for passing faster traffic to your left. Stay vigilant and alert of others. I'm sure there are more common courtesies that more seasoned parkway users will appreciate but stay to the right and don't let dogs or kids out in front of faster moving traffic and you should be okay. Be safe and enjoy the Kern River Parkway! read more

I love running and I am so glad that Bakersfield has a safe running area with no motor vehicles nor traffic lights in your way. Parkway extends from East to West and I love that it is reasonably accessible no matter which side of town you live in. There would be more people using the area on weekends but there is definitely enough space for social distancing. It could get pretty hot in the summer especially since there is minimal shade from trees so I would suggest waking up a little bit earlier to enjoy the place. I would not suggest using the pathway alone at night since it is not a lit path. But still, I'm rating it a 5 because it gives a good option for people who want to workout away from the the house or outside the gym. read more

Kern River Parkway - Hiking Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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It was a very hot day at 105 degrees so it wasn't the best day to take a walk to see the lake. The bike path is in perfect condition but the city needs to add some benches lakeside. read more

Kern River Parkway - Danger Danger - Hiking Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Might be only one check in, but I've been back a few times since this review. Each time the paths were clear and it was a very pleasurable time walking. Parking is easy along the Parkway with multiple entry points. read more

I ride my bike several here several times a week. Easy accessibility right off Mohawk and Truxtun. It's a nice central starting point to get to the bike trail. I meet here with my father and away we ride.... Friendly people frequent the trail and it's nice to see active people enjoying the sunshine. There is plenty of parking. Nice, big grass areas and trees. This place needs a name change though. The river has been dry as a bone for at least 10 years. No sign of a river just a dry, barren and sandy river bed. I will try to get more pictures soon. Kern River Parkway, 5 stars. read more

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Wow, did Bakersfield's community leaders really have it together to preserve the Kern River for its citizens back in the 80s. This park is one of my most favorite things about Bakersfield. It is truly a local gem. It's a claim that most cities can't make - a 20-mile linear park abutting the Kern River running through the middle of the city from one end to the other with a bike path, tons of recreation areas, hundreds of flora and fauna in natural state among other things. The park stretches from Lake Ming in the upper northeast foothills following the river through central Bakersfield, past the oil refineries, office park high-rises, Truxtun Lake, and southwest suburban tract homes before ending at the farmland landscape at Enos Lane in the far southwest. A nice and apt cross-section of Bakersfield if you ask me. I've jogged, biked, rollerbladed, played beach volleyball, BBQed, and fished (among other things, snicker) in this park more times than I can count, and I love it more each and every time. read more

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Was looking for a running trail while in Bakersfield for the week. I really enjoyed it there was a few people around lunch hour. The paths are clean, with a little bit of construction going on in a section. However it's next the the highway so I turned back to avoid the pollution. read more

A friend took me to play disc golf today at this park I had never been to. I believe there were 18 "holes" set up with the baskets. Super fun sport (frisbee and golf combined) and it was great exercise to walk it all. The dry riverbed is right there as is the bike path and a very busy roadway right beside it on the other side (Truxton) It made disc golf a bit hazardous as no one wants to hit a person, car or bike. (phew, this beginner hit nothing but a few trees, unavoidable on this course) The park was quiet on a weekday, and the grounds were very well taken care of. There was even an adult work out area to promote good health! A few transients passing through here and there, made me a little leery of leaving my car out of eyeshot but all turned out fine in that regard (take all your valuables with you, as always). As 4pm came, there was a lot more traffic through the park. Lots and lots of trees stand tall here and cute little squirrels, (mommas and babies) were sunning themselves and running about. Rabbits present too and lots of birds. It was a beautiful day and some people had come just to read a book or take a nap under a tree. Clean, for the most part. read more

Kern River Parkway - First 18 holes of disc golf! Fun! - Hiking Near Me - Bakersfield, California

This is an excellent group. They are a 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been working for years to improve and protect the Kern River through Bakersfield. The parkway has grown to be one of the best in the State. My favorite activity is cycling and hiking in the Parkway. read more

Nice little walk. Lots of people on the weekends. Great place to take your dogs on a walk. Only problem is there are a lot of homeless people at times. Some of them ask for money. But most of the time they just mind their own business. read more

This park has the potential to be one of the most beautiful public attractions in Bakersfield. The park itself is a neat place and the location is in a great area. The biggest problem and a large reason why this review is so low, is because of how little I feel like the city cares about it. Homeless people EVERYWHERE, and it's not like the park or employees aren't trying. But there's a limit to what THEY can do. I understand that homeless people are people too, but when they are fighting in the parking lot with homemade shivs, wild dogs that have no manners. and I see crack pipes on the bike roads or a bunch of tents sent up under the bridges, it really raises my concerns. Is this the kind of park I want to be taking my friends and family to?! No. Not only that, but the city let the water levels fall so low that the once beautiful bodies of water look so unattractive and pitiful. Normally I round up my reviews. If I feel like a place is a 2.5 on Yelp, I'll give it a 3. But I'm genuinely giving this place a 2 because i feel like it's a wasted opportunity. Please do something city of Bakersfield read more

Decent place to run, walk, and ride bikes. Asphalt path is well kept by the city. Safe. Mostly barren, sure - its Bako. Mostly road bikes, walkers, and runners. There's a few fields for mountain bikes. A few green places and parks. I particularly like the path by Hart Part and Lake Ming - many trees, the river, and green. If you pass a vagrant, giv'em a smile and say good day! BTW, Interesting Hart Park doesn't show on the list of Bako parks - It's by far the best. read more

I don't think most people in Bakersfield realize what a gem this is. I have the Parkway so many times for excercise or just a relaxing stroll. Access to a bike path 30 miles long, river front, clean parks, cool photo opportunities, and mostly good people enjoying the outdoors are so appreciated as an amenities in any recreational area in a larger city. The city/county planners have done a few things right over the years ;-) read more

I'm thankful for this parkway and the bike path as it is my weekly getaway from life's pressures. Just me, the bike path, my bike and the wind in my face. I love the silence and love to see the other cyclist and families taking advantage of it. I'd like to see a few improvements made but am thankful for what we have! read more

There are parts of the parkway that are beautiful, and parts that are barren. Overall it is a great place to walk/jog/run, bike, rollerblade/skate, walk your pets (please clean up their mess!), have a picnic (please clean up your mess!), exercise on the equipment located somewhere near the middle (east of Mohawk, north of Truxtun), or just kick back and relax. There are also volleyball courts and a disc golf course near Mohawk. Careful at night, though; there are long stretches of bike path that have no lighting so be sure to bring a headlight for your bike, or a flashlight otherwise. There are emergency call boxes located at intervals along the bike path if you have an emergency and your cell dies or if you have T-Mobile (I have T-Mobile ad there are some areas that are dead zones along the path). As a courtesy to others, please read (and follow) the path guidelines. There is a big billboard type sign with the rules posted every so often along the trail. Simple rules like if you bring trash in please bring it out with you, slower traffic should keep to the right to allow people to pass more easily, and don't walk 3 abreast blocking the whole path making bikes have to slow down and wait for you to realize you're blocking traffic and move over. You'd be surprised how many people have given me dirty looks for riding on "their" path and making them move so I can pass. Some people are so rude! read more

I really love the Kern River Parkway and all the parks along it and the Kern River Bike Path. We went out last night and saw a bobcat beside the trail on the way out to Enos Lane and again on the way back. We either ride from Finish Line out to Enos Lane, or from Finish Line out to Manor and back. We have seen lots of wildlife. Last month we surprised a coyote that ran across the trail in front of our recumbent trikes. Of course we have seen road runners, hawks, quail, doves, rabbits, squirrels, owls, etc. When it is hot we ride from dusk on when it is cool. It was perfect last night and the moon was spectacular even though it was not quite full. read more

Awesome place to spend the day. There is a nice grass aria so you can picnic and BBQ. The place is always keep clean. So if you come here keep it that way!!! :). I like biking and also hiking the aria. river is nice however a bit low the last few years. This park has magnificent panorama. 30 mile bike trail. you wont regret going here if you like the outdoors and nice scenery.... * 6000 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93309 read more

Contrary to the other review, Bakersfield's "leaders" didn't really have it together back in the 1980s. Two locals - Rich O'Neil and Bill Cooper - did. And we can all credit those two with the amazing Kern River Parkway, which includes the bike trail and parks along the way. In fact, where the Truxtun Lakes are now the city "leaders" wanted to turn into a parking lot for a golf course, back in the day. The Parkway is an amazing place for families and people to be outside, to be active, and to enjoy the Kern River. It also stands as a testimony to the hard work and innovation that average citizens can have about how to improve and shape our community. read more

Great bike ride with lots of room and no traffic. Only rode 16 miles of it because of park we started at. Recommend it! read more

I want to give it more stars but it's kinda dirty. Anyhow, I love running and I like running where I can see the beauty of nature. This here is not so pretty. I sound like a jerk but I can't lie. I will however come back as it's close to my hotel. read more

I really enjoy this park. It has great scenery, and your able to do a variety of things, such as ride your bike, Fish, walk, run, or take a date to relax. read more

I rode my bike from one end to the other. Spectacular scenery in the spring time. The summer months can be harsh with the heat. Several parks in Bakersfield line the parkway. Bright House amphitheater is located near by too. read more