Johnny Cash Trail
Folsom, California
Road
6.5 miles | 480 ft elevation
17 miles | 860 ft elevation
The Johnny Cash Trail is a short loop around the notorious Folsom Prison. This scenic paved bike path has a few climbs (great training climbs for new riders!), crosses multiple bridges and offers beautiful views of the American River, Folsom Lake and Folsom Dam.
Starting from the Trek Folsom parking lot, cross the street and make the climb up past the dam. At the top, stay to the left and cross over the Johnny Cash Bridge. For the next two miles, you’ll coast beside the prison property line, passing under Folsom Prison Road and over Robbers’ Ravine Bridge.
Once you pass the Folsom Rodeo, you’ll swoop down to a residential street for a tenth of a mile until you pick up the trail again (follow the guitar picks painted on the road). Around mile 4.2, make a right when you come to a “T” in the path and head towards the river. As you cross the Historic Truss Bridge, take a moment to stop and watch the kayaks and paddle boards float under Rainbow Bridge, and then continue to the right. As you approach the 5-mile mark, you will see the stone prison wall in the distance, and then for the next 1.5 miles you will climb under the shady trees, making your way back to the parking lot.
Strava Route:
You can add on more miles by riding the 12-mile Lake Natoma loop on the American River Bike Trail.
Strava Route:
Notes
Alternative starting point would be to park at the Folsom Rodeo (near the library) off Stafford St.
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