River Bend Trails - Mountain Bike Trail

The River Bend Trails is a nice section of singletrack in a fairly urban setting that allow you to pick up as much speed as you want. There aren’t that many tight turns, and the trail surface barely has any rocks or roots, even though you’ll be going through some woody sections. It’s just over 6.1 miles long, so once you’re familiar with it, you can go through it more than once before heading back home.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description 

There are two possible parking solutions for those who want to get on these trails. The main option is the Holy Cross Episcopal Church Parking Lot off Riverpark Drive. This places you closer to the trailhead. 

However, you can also park further up Wimberly Canyon Dr, just slightly past Richland Spring Ln. From here, you’ll get on your bike and take Wimberly Canyon Dr past the church, then turn onto Thistlerock Ln. The trailhead will be between the last two houses on Thistlerock Ln. You’ll have to go through a gate with a gravel nature trail being further forward. 

However, instead of following the gravel trail, follow the treeline on your left until you come across some park benches. This is where you officially begin riding the trail, with the East Loop being the first section you go through. Other named sections of this out and back include The Cauldron, Inner West Loop, and Outer West Loop. 

To get to the two West Loops, you’ll have to exit the East Loop, not somewhere near the park benches, then use a connector through an open field to get to the West section. 

The trail surface on the East Loop is hard-packed dirt or loose dirt on hard-packed singletrack. We noticed you could get hurt trying to go through the East Loop at speed for the first time, especially around the turns. As such, it’s best to go through it at least once to mark the areas where you must be careful. 

In some sections of the East Loop, you’ll be riding near the edge of the Brazos River, although given the tree cover here, it’s barely visible from the trail. That said, the tree cover is not all that bad, given the canopy shields you from the sun even on a hot day. 

The Cauldron offers something different in the form of a steep drop. It’s also the lowest part of the trail, which means it retains water a lot longer than the other sections. As such, you may want to give it a bit more time than the other sections after a rainstorm before going through it. 

The trail surface here is fairly fragile, and if you ride it when wet, you’ll create ruts that ruin the trail the next time you pass through. 

The Outer West Loop is flowy, and you can get through it fast with a few jumps thrown in there for good measure as well. Like the East Loop, it takes you through the edge of the Brazos River, although you can barely see it through the trees. As for the Inner West Loop, it’s a great place to let loose on speed. 

Additional Trail Features

• Extra fees: There are no fees for using this out-and-back trail. 
• Obstacles: Obstacles are minimal along the trail, although there are some mounds and a log crossing if you consider that an obstacle. 
• Shuttles: There are no shuttles going into the residential area where the trail is located.  

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

The Brazos River is barely visible through the trees, although you can stop and get closer for a better view. 

Recommendations/Precautions

• Riding this trail when wet will only ruin it for the next time you want to ride through it.