The 7 miles of paths along the Brazos River — dubbed the Waco Riverwalk — are the signature run in Waco. Paved multi-use paths run along the east and west banks of the river, running under the bridges thereby allowing for seamless running. There are excellent river views most of the way, and several riverfront parks adding some greenery to the scene. There’s good access from downtown, the Convention Center, Baylor University, and Cameron Park. Overall, the paths are more developed on the west bank. Good bridges for crossing are the Suspension Bridge, Franklin Ave., & Herring Ave. Below are more details on the various options. PRO TIP: Much of the trail is light at night.
West Bank
This is the more developed, continuous path along the river. It runs for 5.3 miles from the Baylor campus to Cameron Park, passing through downtown Waco. Highlights from south to north include: Baylor Campus, Indian Spring Park, a Sculpture Zoo containing 28 animal-themed artworks, and Cameron Park at the north end. There are good river views the whole way. At Cameron Park, you can add with their 26 miles of trails.
East Bank
Riverwalk East Bank. Google Street View
The path runs for 3.5 miles along the east bank, from just south of I-35 to Brazos Park East, paralleling MLK Blvd. A good start point is Doris Miller Park (0.6 miles north of the south trailhead. The east bank path is a bit less developed than the west bank path, with a couple of not great road crossings. Scenic highlights include Doris Miller Park and Brazos Park East. There’s a running track on the east bank at Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium
Loop Options
Short Loop: A popular 4-mile loop is between the Suspension Bridge and Herring Ave. (Cameron Park).
Long Loop: A longer, 6.8 mile loop is from Baylor University. Use the Suspension Bridge and duplicate ~1 mile on the west bank, or use the Umphrey Bridge (pedestrian-only) at Baylor, which connects the east & west banks.
The 7 miles of paths along the Brazos River — dubbed the Waco Riverwalk — are the signature run in Waco. Paved multi-use paths run along the east and west banks of the river, running under the bridges thereby allowing for seamless running. There are excellent river views most of the way, and several riverfront parks adding some greenery to the scene. There’s good access from downtown, the Convention Center, Baylor University, and Cameron Park. Overall, the paths are more developed on the west bank. Good bridges for crossing are the Suspension Bridge, Franklin Ave., & Herring Ave. Below are more details on the various options. PRO TIP: Much of the trail is light at night.
West Bank
This is the more developed, continuous path along the river. It runs for 5.3 miles from the Baylor campus to Cameron Park, passing through downtown Waco. Highlights from south to north include: Baylor Campus, Indian Spring Park, a Sculpture Zoo containing 28 animal-themed artworks, and Cameron Park at the north end. There are good river views the whole way. At Cameron Park, you can add with their 26 miles of trails.
East Bank
Riverwalk East Bank. Google Street View
The path runs for 3.5 miles along the east bank, from just south of I-35 to Brazos Park East, paralleling MLK Blvd. A good start point is Doris Miller Park (0.6 miles north of the south trailhead. The east bank path is a bit less developed than the west bank path, with a couple of not great road crossings. Scenic highlights include Doris Miller Park and Brazos Park East. There’s a running track on the east bank at Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium
Loop Options
Short Loop: A popular 4-mile loop is between the Suspension Bridge and Herring Ave. (Cameron Park).
Long Loop: A longer, 6.8 mile loop is from Baylor University. Use the Suspension Bridge and duplicate ~1 mile on the west bank, or use the Umphrey Bridge (pedestrian-only) at Baylor, which connects the east & west banks.
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Essentials
West bank: 5.3 miles; East Bank: 3.5 miles. There are popular 4-mile and 6.8 mile loop options.
Fairly flat
Numerous start & access points. Baylor University, downtown, Cameron Park
The 416-acre Cameron Park is the other signature running spot in Waco. It's a green oasis, featuring 26 miles of meandering paths, featuring gorgeous trees, two riverbanks, and scenic cliffs. There are easier park-like trails and more rugged trail running options.
We've mapped a nice 5-miler around the Baylor University campus, incorporating wide pedestrian paths passing by its main buildings, designated walk/run trails, and a terrific running track in the Baylor Basin area. Add with the Waco Riverwalk along the Brazos River.
Nice run on a paved multi-use path above Waco Lake/Dam, which is located 6 miles northwest of downtown Waco. Nice water views, but note it's open & exposed. Full out & back is 6 miles. Add with road/paths in adjacent Airport Park.
Nice park for running at the south end of Lake Waco. There's a 1-mile trail along the lake, and ~5 miles of interior trail running trails passing through woods and scrub land.
A nice 5-miler on a paved multi-use path in the Harris Hill neighborhood on the west side of Waco. Landscape is open with fields and some nice trees along the way. The bridge over the Bosque River is a scenic highlight.
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Essentials
West bank: 5.3 miles; East Bank: 3.5 miles. There are popular 4-mile and 6.8 mile loop options.
Fairly flat
Numerous start & access points. Baylor University, downtown, Cameron Park
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!