Decades ago, a disused railroad line found new life, becoming the Cardinal Greenway, Indiana's longest rail-trail.But with some ambitious new projects planned, the newest member of the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary as a trail in 2018is about to experience yet another rebirth.. My first time in this trail. Heading south from the depot, you will find yourself in the quiet residential neighborhoods of Muncie. Learn more about cookies in our, National Museum of the United States Air Force. Stay in one of our furnished Deluxe or Camping Cabins. (Richmond). Just rode the Richmond section of the Cardinal Greenway with my 13 year-old son; it's nice, not great. we love it here. Login Profile Log out. The trail is easy to follow. 101. Cardinal Greenway parking lot .25 miles on north side of road. All blacktop surface makes a good ride. My estimate would be that this trail is less than 50 percent shaded. Cardinal Greenway, Muncie: See 101 reviews, articles, and 22 photos of Cardinal Greenway, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 23 attractions in Muncie. Very Sunny most of the way, but with some really nice long shady woods. In 3 miles, turn right onto S. CR 900 E, which becomes N. CR 600 W. In 4.9 miles, turn right onto CR 850 N/W. The trail itself is often elevated with coarse railroad ballast gravel on both sides. The premium Tent Sites have water and electric hookups. He saw my rig and said No" and then directed me 2 1/2 blocks to the north to find the D street trail head. The trail is smooth and paved all the way through with lots of trailheads, benches, maps, porta-potties, drinking fountains, bike air, and fixing stations. The Cardinal Greenway, the longest rail-trail in Indiana, connects Marion, Muncie, Losantville, Richmond and a host of other small towns in rural northeastern Indiana. This is an excellent trail! I think that not converting any of the old railways to useful recreational pathways is going to be a terrible loss. Wrong Length - This trail is a lot bigger than the site currently shows. Bring plenty of water. Cardinal Greenways is a private, not-for-profit organization that encompasses the Cardinal Greenway, White River Greenway, Historic Wysor Street Depot, John Craddock Nature Preserve and Cardinal Equestrian Trail. The smell is atrocious and as a vegan its even more disgusting. and River Rd. Not much. Richmond KOA Holiday is the ideal family campground in Richmond, Indiana. Well taken care of with easy access at many places along the trail. My friend Mark and I did this trail late May of 2014. My wife and I are very fond of the section that goes from the parking area in Jonesboro (going more or less North after you cross the highway) to Nebraska St in Marion. Whether youre exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. Finding the trail in downtown Richmond was not intuitive or obvious, even with my GPS. I rode the entire 75 mile corridor round trip this spring and found it to give a wonderful variety of experiences. The staircase is in the tree line. The Cardinal Greenway (TGC) is a multi-use recreational network combining a rail trail and an on-street route that together cross 62 miles (100 km) and five counties in east central Indiana.The greenway, which was designated a National Recreation Trail in June 2003 and in 2018 was named to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's "Rail Trail Hall of Fame." First stop was Richmond IN, southern terminus of the Cardinal Greenway, another Rail-Trail Hall of Fame trail [My 4th]. The trail condition is generally very good, though it can be a bit bumpy in spots in Muncie. My wife and rode almost to Richmond and back. You can access the trail from a long staircase at the parking lot across the street from Richmond High School on Hub Etchison Parkway. Five more miles will be added to the south end of the Muncie section this summer. I look forward to heading south toward Richmond! Otherwise, this is a great trail, very nice personnel at the train station, and lots of places to eat in Muncie! We rode this trail in the fall from Muncie towards Richmond. I used to cross the rail road tracks when I walked to middle school. I saw one metal relay case 2 miles west of the Jonesboro trailhead, but there are no doubt more, as the forested trail lines virtually all of the Marion suburbs. Learn more at www.greatamericanrailtrail.org. There were shaded portions which on hotter days would be most welcome. From the trailhead, the greenway seamlessly connects to the 3.5-mile Whitewater Gorge Trail, which heads southwest to Test Road. Gennett Records, an offshoot of the Starr Piano Company of Richmond, Indiana, recorded many of the jazz greats in the late 1910s and 1920s. I don't like those things very much, but the ones I used were easily the nicest - and cleanest - I've ever seen. SPRINGWOOD PARK Including segments on the White River Greenway in Muncie, and the Whitewater Gorge Trail in Richmond, I logged over 2000 feet of elevation gain, and it was noticeable, especially on the southern section where there were moderate, but extended, hill climbs. ", "As of Nov 2006, the trail is continuously paved from Gashton through Muncie to Losantville. These are some of the best, well-taken photographs I have seen from the trail pages. In 2018, the trail became an inductee into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. If you turn south on South 1st Street by the bridge that has the big RICHMOND sign, youll wind up at a parking lot for the Star-Gennett building where pianos were manufactured 100 years ago. Day 2: We head south toward Richmond on our second day. Bring your RV to camp at a Pull-Thru or Back-In RV Site with 50-, 30- and 20-amp connections. I enjoy a quiet, peaceful trail for relaxing and meditating---you exercise body and spirit at once. Do not expect water at the access points. The Cardinal Greenway is the longest rail-trail in Indiana and spans 62 miles from Marion through Muncie to Richmond in East Central . Part of the trail runs through industrial Richmondlots of grafiti. If you ride a long wheel base recumbant, or a tandem, the gates blocking access at many of the road crossings are a real pain. Down the hill you go into the beautifully forested line through Marion. The paved pathway is open from sunrise to sunset, and its well maintained and mostly flat for its entire length. So I started running north to try and find the end, and I ran roughly 1.5 miles before I turned around. This stretch of the route has light traffic, giving it a remote feeling, and is relatively flat with a slight downhill grade. Rode it on 7/3/09, Very nice ride, see other reviews of other sections of the Cardinal Greenway. Trail was in good shape with a few little bumps from cracks in the asphalt swelling and in one place a small tree across the trail from a recent storm. Youll take this for about 2 miles, then turn left onto Test Road. The vegetation seems to be growing back and crowding the edge of the trail, but again the freshness of the trail doesn't let this dwell on your mind during the ride. Hard-paved asphalt, remote from traffic most of the way. 3. Posts about Cardinal Greenway written by manandhisbike. There is a gas station in Losantville, that was open, and lots of bikers using it. Trail very well maintained. | Attractions, Sports and Recreation, Trails and Parks, What to Do. Our AmenitiesIf you prefer to relax at the campground, there are numerous amenities to take advantage of, including: Local Things to DoMake this KOA your base camp for exploring the local area. On Friday we rode from same trailhead in opposite direction 7.5 miles out, just passed the Williamsburg trailhead and back-15M. Certainly worth investigating rain or shine.. If you prefer something more artistic . Many, many farms with corn and soy bean fields. Enjoy biking, hiking, or jogging along the beautiful portion of the Cardinal Greenway rail-trail project in Grant County. To the south, there are fewer crossings.This is an excellent trail. It now goes under the railroad by North Gavin St, and continues along the river and some switchbacks before crossing a bridge known as Bridge #85 south of East Jackson Street, connecting back up with the Cardinal Greenway west of the river. From East Main Street, at the railroad bridge that has a big RICHMOND sign, turn north. Such trails are always welcome, but when you find one that is relatively low use (during the workday) it truly lets you relax and take in all it has to offer. To reach the trailhead in Gaston, take I-69 to Exit 255 for IN 26 toward Hartford. We ride an old Pacific Tandem Fat Tire bike. And they even had waterless hand cleaner!There is a lot of nice interpretive signage and the trailmarkers are the classiest I have ever seen - bar none! Distance from downtown Phoenix: 35 minutes. I was going northwest and west in the afternoon of the first day, and the sun was doing an admirable job of trying to blind my left eye. I started at the most northern point (which is just south of I-70), and noticed I wasn't at the most northern point. Whether you are seeking a That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. I always try to find a cool town or city to serve as a base when exploring a new trail, and Muncie did a great job in that regard. The trail is well protected from the wind for the most part and the grade never goes over 1%. My wife and I rode 40 miles on the Cardinal Greenway starting at the Depot and turning around just southeast of Losantville. The club van will be used to transfer bikes, gear and people to Richmond, IN. But the trail is so great I would do it again but take more precautions. You may know Richmond for its preserved architecture and being the cradle of recorded jazz, but did you know it is also an exceptional place for a family vacation? Very creative and distinctive. Split rail fences line some sections of the trail and provide a nice touch as well as safety (some of the drop offs by the sides of the trail are significant). This trail should be on your list whether you want a short trail ride and decide to do a single section or a two day trip on your bike. It was a very hot week, and I remember sections without much shade, though the fields were pretty. Don't expect to see refreshment stops. (White Water River Trail). Passing under US 35, you will reenter the sun-drenched Indiana countryside, where the trail meanders along the highway through Medford and Blountsville. Nice ride. This trail has a slight turn for every half mile of strait away. Bridges are restored with a decorative flare, nicely laid-out access parks with parking along the way. The GOOD: The trail is very well put together. Take in the scenery and greenery while visiting some of the classic cool attractions Grant County is known for. You might just slip under the fence and over the cliff. Head south on the Greenway to go to Test Road. This is a super trail that allows you to experience rural Indiana at its finest. BACKGROUND 1) A great test for me. D STREET TRAILHEAD Between Milepost 137 and 2.4 miles east, you parallel the old Cincinnati-Chicago mainline C&O on a trackside trail, and as you approach the trail's "grade crossing", you see the beautiful welded rail that Amtrak's Cardinal ran over until 1985. Both the color and scenery were beautiful. Richmond KOA Holiday is a family-owned campground with family activities in Richmond, Indiana. MUNCIE, Ind. Butif you go off the edge of the pavement, you may go over a cliff. Take the time to read the background and a short ride on the surface road gives you a better look at the barn. Great trail to ride , the hog farm near Williamsburg smells terrible and at least 3 times big Rottweiler dogs have chased us and nearly wrecked us at the hog farm entrance. Leighanne was a great hostess and the place is very nice.The Cardinal is a very fast trail and was in great shape for early in the year. We live close by the trail and typically use the White River Greenway to connect to the Cardinal. FREE bike rental is available during peak season. They are well-maintained, assisted by the newness of the trail. The main reason we do this trail is it is so remote that most people do not want to drive so far to get to it, but believe me, it is worth it if you want solitude and not a lot of traffic. Gateway trails represent those iconic trails that make possible the Great American Rail-Trail in each of the states it connects. It's easy to strike a conversation with locals, who are very appreciative of this trail. However within Muncie there were a couple of nice scenic view-points. A short section of intact old C&O of Indiana begins your trail ride at classic concrete C&O Milepost 137 (137 miles northwest of Cincinnati). South Trailhead. You should visit cardinalgreenways.org for more information. I will be going again. I think the only downside of the ride was trying to get thru MUNCIE. Highly recommend! This neighborhood was first settled by members of the Society of Friends, later by free blacks and German immigrants. From Williamsburg to Richmond the path shows its rail roots with a stretch on an elevated railbed. To access the southernmost trailhead near Veterans Memorial Park: From I-70, take Exit 149 or 149A, and head south on Williamsburg Pike. It's hard to believe that an Amtrak train ran through here! The other plus is how far apart the trail sections are from each stop sign. The southern section was reliable in this area. Cross the railroad tracks to access the Cardinal Greenway on the opposite side of the street. Its very well maintained but there are some tricks to accessing and using it. This section of trail is no longer elevated as it makes its way through residential areas. The Greenway between Gaston and Muncie has some bumps and uneven pavement but made it back to Marion safely (with two periods of rain) Best bike drive in Eastern Indiana in summation. The trail is currently open from CR 500 South to CR 534 East. Indiana's hospitality is also very much in evidence. Cardinal Greenways offers multiple map formats to help you plan your route and to find trailheads along the way. Found this by accident while on a bike tour across the states. I was looking to add mileage and got as much as I wanted. Richmond KOA Holiday has everything you need for a comfortable stay, from various lodging options to great campground amenities and events. (An unofficial trail tip: If youre on foot, you can keep walking north of the parking lot through a grass field. Use the map given that you purchase from the trail head in Muncie. Cardinal Greenway Bike Ride and Camp. Along the way are many elevation changes, a beautiful wooded area with a bridge over a creek and a picnic area, many trestles, and only three busy roads to cross(watch out for the crossing at 38th St. cars fly down that road) its about a five and a half mile ride one way. But a great trail to ride. A couple nice bridges too. We are planning to ride again only when the weather is drier. They just added a gate here and the sign says its closed dusk to dawn, so if you park your car there be sure to be out of there by nightfall so you dont get locked in. I grade SW Ohio trails as "excellent." Oct 24 I rode the stretch from Richmond to Losantville & back [50 miles]. It is well maintained, clean, the people are friendly, and really smooth to ride on. Sweetser Trailhead in Converse at 1281 North 700W. Southwest Ohio (Dayton-Cincinnati-Xenia etc) has a very large and well-maintained bike way system: over 320 miles interconnected safe, hard-paved paths spanning the SW quarter of the state. Drove a little over an hour from Ohio to get on at Losantville. 1.4 mi Speciality Museums. find trail maps, reviews, photos & driving directions on traillink.com . Richmond is about an hour's drive from where I live in Dayton. I have ridden many bike trails, mostly in the east, and the Cardinal Greenway was one of the finest trails I have ever ridden.". This is one of the best designed trails in the country. There are many types of RV batteries that both new and experienced RVers should be familiar with. I also should note that it's worth going into town in Muncie, whether that's the White River Greenway, which intersects with the Cardinal Greenway in two places, or grabbing some food at some of the excellent restaurants or breweries downtown, which is easily accessible from the trail. 2. Trail Quality - I said this is for marathon bike training for 2 reasons. The latrines - porta potties - were nearly new and surprisingly spic and span. That being said, the trail is wide, you won't need to skirt the edges. Cardinal Greenway . The only downside is that water is only available at approximately a quarter of the rest areas. Major trailheads with parking are located in Marion behind Westwood Square on Miller Avenue between 2nd and 6th Streets, at Hogin Park at Valley Avenue and 14th Street, and in Jonesboro/Gas City at the intersection of SR 22/35 and Water Street, just east of SR 15. Saturday's distance is about . Across the nationand the worldonly the limits of imagination will limit its use. Minnetrista. I am not from this region and had never heard of these critters that can flourish in July and August especially in years when locusts also flourish. Trail of the Month: July 2012. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. My biggest request would be for more bathrooms and water fountains along the way. Very flat except some slight grades at the southern 20 miles. The Cardinal Greenwayand the American Jazz Age Cardinal Greenway | Photo by Jane Holman, courtesy Waynet, Inc. 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