Map of bike paths / walking paths in the South Bend area

Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in South Bend, Indiana

South Bend is located in Northern Indiana. The city is situated along the St. Joseph River and it is home to Notre Dame University and the Indiana University South Bend. Other communities in this area include: Georgetown and Mishawaka.

There are miles of paved pathways along the St. Joseph River for bike riding, walking and sight seeing.The system of trails along the St. Joseph River extends from the northwest side of South Bend to the southeast side at Mishawaka. The trails include the Riverside Trail, the East Bank Trail, the Northside Trail and the Mishawaka Riverwalk. This system is nearly continuous with one small gap along W. Angela Boulevard on the south edge of the campus.

Other recreational trails include the wide pathways alongside the roadways that connect to the sidewalks at the University of Notre Dame campus. To the north of South Bend, at the Indiana / Michigan border, the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail heads off towards the City of Niles, Michigan.

Riverside Trail - South Bend

The Riverside Trail - South Bend is a 5-mile long pathway that starts at N. Dixie Way and Darden Road, wraps around Wheelock Park, then heads south along the St. Joseph River to Brownfield Park on W. Angela Boulevard. The trail travels through the natural areas and parks along the rivers edge and is on the opposite bank of the river from the University of Notre Dame. The trail crosses the river with its own bridge south of Darden Road and then again at W. Angela Boulevard on the south end of the trail.

The Riverside Trail South Bend goes past the following parks and other points of interest: Wheelock Park, Pinhook Park, Woodlawn Park, Keller Park, Brown School and Brownfield Park.

Trail users that wish to go farther can head 0.6-miles east on W. Angela Boulevard and connect to the East Bank Trail - South Bend that continues south along the river.

East Bank Trail - South Bend

The East Bank Trail - South Bend is a 3-mile long paved pathway that travels alongside the St. Joseph River and extends from the University of Notre Dame Campus to Veterans Memorial Park. At the park, the trail meets up with the North Side Trail - South Bend.

Between E. Madison Street and E. Washington Street, the trail splits and goes along both sides of the channel as well as along the river. There are several foot bridges crossing the channel in this section. The trail connects to a number of bridges for crossing to the other side of the river and there are parks and other points of interest on the opposite bank as well.

The East Bank Trail - South Bend goes past the following parks and other points of interest: Notre Dame campus, East Bank Learning Center, Howard Park, Island Park at Century Center, South Bend Museum pf Art, Plaza Park, Viewing Park, Newman Recreation Center, Indiana University South Bend and Veterans Memorial Park.

Northside Trail - South Bend

The Northside Trail is a 1.7-mile long paved pathway that follows alongside the St. Joseph River and extends from Veterans Memorial Park to S. Logan Street. The west end of the trail meets up with the East Bank Trail - South Bend. The east end of the Northside Trail meets up with the Mishawaka Riverwalk.

The Northside Trail - South Bend goes past the Indiana University South Bend campus and connects to the pathways that lead to the campus buildings and cross the river to the other side.

Mishawaka Trail

The Mishawaka Trail is a 3-mile long paved pathway that follows both banks of the St. Joseph River from N. Logan Street to N. Cedar Street in Mishawaka. The route includes three bridges for crossing the river.

The Mishawaka Trail goes past the following parks and points of interest: Kate's Garden, Kamm Island Park, Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park, Central Park and Batell Park. The west end of the trail connects to the Northside Trail - South Bend which then leads to the other trails along the river.

Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails located in South Bend, Indiana