Rillito River Path west return from Brandi Fenton
Arizona · Other separated ride
Walk from designated park parking to the signed paved Rillito River Path at the river edge. Follow the north bank west/downstream toward Campbell Avenue, keeping the river on your left. Stay on the same bank and main pavement. Turn at two miles outward, before an at-grade public-road crossing, a barrier or an uncomfortable underpass, whichever comes first, then retrace. A dry, open underpass can be used at walking pace; do not ride onto the road above it. Do not use the Dodge bridge to switch banks or add a shopping-center or race-track loop.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Tucson · Arizona
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles
- Ride format
- Out-and-back
- Surface
- Asphalt
- Road crossings
- Walk from designated park parking to the signed paved Rillito River Path at the river edge. Follow the north bank west/downstream toward Campbell Avenue, keeping the river on your left. Stay on the same bank and main pavement. Turn at two miles outward, before an at-grade public-road crossing, a barrier or an uncomfortable underpass, whichever comes first, then retrace. A dry, open underpass can be used at walking pace; do not ride onto the road above it. Do not use the Dodge bridge to switch banks or add a shopping-center or race-track loop.
- Elevation
- Rails to Trails Conservancy’s February 2025 report describes the Rillito path as mostly flat, with small underpass inclines. That is qualitative route information, not a measured maximum slope or a promise that every access ramp is easy. Walk an uncomfortable ramp or shorten the ride.
- Starting location
- 3482 E River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718
Chosen maximum four-mile return; two outward miles doubled. Earlier turn permitted. Not the 22.4-mile two-bank inventory or regional Loop circuit; parking walking extra.
Published facility or public-lot reference. Use the written start, designated spaces and current posted parking terms; not a surveyed entrance.
Rillito River Path west return from Brandi Fenton — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-20. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Tucson, Arizona · Up to 4 miles out and back · Asphalt
Start: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park designated public visitor parking, 3482 E River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718. County park and trail organization identify public parking; walk the park connection to the north-bank Rillito main path. Owner regional map shows the park on this bank.
Ride: Walk from designated park parking to the signed paved Rillito River Path at the river edge. Follow the north bank west/downstream toward Campbell Avenue, keeping the river on your left. Stay on the same bank and main pavement. Turn at two miles outward, before an at-grade public-road crossing, a barrier or an uncomfortable underpass, whichever comes first, then retrace. A dry, open underpass can be used at walking pace; do not ride onto the road above it. Do not use the Dodge bridge to switch banks or add a shopping-center or race-track loop.
Distance: Chosen maximum four-mile return; two outward miles doubled. Earlier turn permitted. Not the 22.4-mile two-bank inventory or regional Loop circuit; parking walking extra.
Surface, permission and effort: The county explicitly lists cycling on the Rillito River Park path. Its regional map separates the paved shared-use course from soft parallel alternatives. Rails to Trails Conservancy’s February 2025 report describes the Rillito path as mostly flat, with small underpass inclines. That is qualitative route information, not a measured maximum slope or a promise that every access ramp is easy. Walk an uncomfortable ramp or shorten the ride.
Planning: Sunrise to sunset for The Loop; park remains open later but that does not extend path hours. No separate ordinary path tariff established in the reviewed pages; posted parking terms govern. Ramada rentals are separate. Stay right, pass slowly on the left and yield to walkers, people with disabilities and horses. Motorized devices are prohibited on The Loop except the stated accessibility and official-vehicle exceptions; this guide is for an ordinary pedal bicycle. Keep pets leashed.
Access: Reviewed October 20, 2026: the county’s notices page explicitly lists no current Rillito closures. Julian Wash construction and Santa Cruz notices concern other sections and do not clear the entire network. Fresh debris, water or signs can still change this short outing.
Choose comfortable weather, bring water and check current signs before setting out. No parking-space pin, surveyed route or GPX is supplied.
Sources: County river path · Public park and hours · Loop rules · Current notices · Trail organization’s terrain and access report · County network map