River Place Nature Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This beautiful gem invites visitors to quickly connect with nature. Locals love it for its beautiful scenery and enveloping tranquility. Although the trail isn't too technical, its steady climbs, rolling terrain, and countless stairs make it an endeavor.

If your party isn't up to the full adventure, it's easy to head back at any point.

The narrowness of the trail can involve frequent pauses to allow other groups to pass. As such, try to be courteous and give uphill traffic the right of way.

The StairMaster comes built in on this strenuous and rewarding run. Needless to say, it's best for those looking for a demanding workout. Be prepared to have your pace interrupted when passing or allowing others to pass along the narrow singletrack.

Park at either the nearby Woodland Park or curb-side at the trailhead. Look for the "Boardwalk" sign at the start of the Panther Hollow Trail and proceed around the retention pond to where the singletrack begins off the boardwalk.

Panther Hollow Trail is brief, and its super-mellow climb soon ends in a 3-way intersection with the Canyon Trail and Little Fern Trail. Keep straight onto the Canyon Trail, where the stairs and steep side-slopes begin in earnest. As you travel along the trail, the charming gurgle of Panther Hollow Creek is sure to brighten your surroundings, meanwhile its deep water provides a few wading spots along the way. To top it all off, interesting nearby rock faces help to complete this truly beautiful scene.

The latter part of the run is almost completely covered in low trees that bring welcome shade as the elevation jumps up and down. Near its end, the trail climbs out of the hollow to the turnaround spot at River Place Boulevard.