The Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System includes paved trails along both sides of the Willamette River from downtown Springfield to the Beltline Highway in North Eugene. The trails are connected through five bridges designated for pedestrian and bicyclist use only, which allow for a variety of loops depending on how far you’d like to go. In total, the system covers about 14 miles for walking, running, biking, or rollerblading.

Passing through multiple parks and by key points of interest, such as Autzen Stadium, the University of Oregon, 5th Street Public Market, and the Valley River Center, the trail system is excellent for both outdoor recreation and bike commuting.

Suggested Route for Newcomers

  • Bike the roughly 4-mile loop from the Peter DeFazio Bridge in Alton Baker Park to the Greenway Pedestrian/Bike Bridge at Maurie Jacobs Park.
  • Find easy parking at Alton Baker Park on Day Island Road and enjoy the park’s duck ponds before crossing over the Peter DeFazio Bridge.
  • The South Bank Path section on river-left offers ample points of interest for side trips. Lock your bike at Skinner Butte Park and hike a mile to the butte’s summit for a view, explore the latest blooms at the Owen Rose Garden, or take a riverside break at Maurie Jacobs Park.
  • Cross back over the river at the Greenway Pedestrian/Bike Bridge. The ride back to Alton Baker Park passes the Valley River Center and a stretch of Interstate 105 before dipping back into more nature-focused river scenes.

Suggested Route to Keep Exploring

  • The Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System makes connecting to other destinations a breeze by bike.
  • From the Greenway Pedestrian/Bike Bridge, continue north on river-right. The first two side paths to the right will lead to Goodpasture Island Road, where you can find walking trails perfect for birding at the 150-acre Delta Ponds habitat restoration area.
  • From Alton Baker Park, explore the Kalapuya Talking Stones—15 basalt boulders carved with Yoncalla Kalapuya words and their English translations that are placed along trails in the Whilamut Natural Area and Eastgate Woodlands.

Know Before You Go

Korrin Bishop is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience covering travel and outdoor recreation. Her work has appeared in publications including Fodor's Travel, U.S. News & World Report, Southern Living, Sierra Magazine, and Adventure Journal. At Lookout Eugene-Springfield, Korrin covers adventures, skill-building, and community in the outdoors. Learn more at korrinbishop.com.