Bill Sims Trail — Point Mallard park return

Bill Sims Trail — Point Mallard park return — detailed guide

Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.

An established improved bicycle outing with a public recreational start. Read the selected extent and access notes before planning a visit.

Start and parking

Start: Point Mallard Park public trail access, 2901 Point Mallard Circle, Decatur, AL 35601.

Use designated ordinary day-visitor parking near a designated park trailhead and walk the activity-area connection. Waterpark tickets and campground reservations do not authorize parking in restricted spaces.

Ride and distance

Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.

Ride: Join the designated Dr. Bill Sims Biking/Running/Walking Trail from an open public park trailhead. Follow the improved riverside park path up to 1 mile outward and retrace. Stay within Point Mallard, excluding the city street route, golf course, waterpark and camper-only loops.

Chosen outward distance plus the same return. Parking walks are additional, and an earlier end, barrier or unsuitable surface shortens the outing.

Surface and effort

Maintained gravel park trail with paved alternatives in some areas; dry, firm conditions required. Tourism describes smooth park terrain, distinct from the varied larger city route. No measured maximum slope; take roots and joints slowly.

Crossings and shared use

Slow at park access drives, junctions, bridge approaches and busy pedestrian areas. Follow the designated bicycle path; ordinary roads and natural footpaths are excluded. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.

Hours, costs and access

Trail closes at dusk. Operator prohibits motorized vehicles; e-bike class permission is not established here. No casual trail-use tariff established in the reviewed sources; posted parking and admission terms govern.

Reviewed 2026-10-22. Operator explicitly welcomes bicycles on its riverside trail and says some sections have paved alternatives. The city lists hiking/biking as year-round, subject to weather. The larger Bill Sims route includes ordinary streets; it is not presented as fourteen miles of separated trail. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.

Map and Directions

Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.

Sources

• Route and access source 1
• Route and access source 2
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