Click on photo for more information.Visiting St. John’s River Trail in Visalia
by Laurie Schwaller
St. John’s River Trail is a scenic City of Visalia Treasure, inviting you to travel up to 4.4 level miles along its namesake river on a paved path suitable for people of all ages and abilities (and dogs, allowed on leash) to walk, hike, run, or wheel along while enjoying the views, reading the interpretive signs, admiring the areas where native trees and smaller plants have been restored, birdwatching, taking a break on a trailside bench, or visiting some of the adjacent parks via their short connecting trails. Early morning and sunset hours are most photogenic.
January, 2026
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Addresses: Visalia’s paved, multi-use St. John’s River Trail travels 4.4 miles along its namesake river from Riverway Sports Park, 3611 North Dinuba Blvd. (Hwy. 63 N), on its west end, to Cutler Park, 15520 Ivanhoe Dr., on its east end. Both these sites have parking, potable water, picnic facilities, playground equipment, and restrooms, and are ADA accessible.
There are several other access sites along the trail (all with parking, but far fewer facilities): Riverwalk, located where N. Ben Maddox Way meets the river, picnic tables and informational signage. St. John’s Park, at 2457 N. Ben Maddox, has picnic tables and playground equipment. Harrell Grove Park, 2604 E. St. John’s Parkway, has outdoor fitness equipment, a tot lot/playground, and picnic tables. There is also a small parking area with access to the trail at the north end of Lovers Lane.
Directions:
From downtown Visalia, take Hwy 198 east to exit north (left) on Ben Maddox Way and follow N. Ben Maddox to Riverwalk and/or St. John’s Park (2457 N. Ben Maddox).
Alternatively, to reach Riverway Sports Park from downtown Visalia, go north on Court Street and, at the Oval, take N. W. 3rd Ave. to go north (right) onto Hwy 63/N. Dinuba Blvd. Follow this road to Riverway Sports Park (3611 N. Dinuba), on your left, for parking and access in its northeast section to the River Trail.
To reach Cutler Park from downtown Visalia, go north on Court Street and, at the Oval, take N. E. 3rd Ave. to then go east (right) onto Hwy 216/Houston Ave. Follow this road past Lovers Lane, past Golden West High School, and then past 5th Ave. Cutler Park entrance will be on your left (north side of Hwy 216). Access to the River Trail is on the west side of Cutler Park. (Note that Cutler is a Tulare County park, not a City of Visalia park, so different regulations may apply there.)
