Map of the Skunk Creek Trail and New River Trail

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Skunk Creek Trail and New River Trail

Skunk Creek Trail, Phonex, map area

The Skunk Creek Trail and the New River Trail are recreational trails located in the northwest portion of the Phoenix urban area. The trails meet at Rio Vista Community Park near Highway 101 and W. Thunderbird Road. The Skunk Creek Trail also connects to the Arizona Canal Trail which then travels as far as Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Skunk Creek Trail

Skunk Creek Trail is a paved and unpaved system of trails located in Glendale and Peoria in the northwest portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The trail system spans for about 5.5 miles along Skunk Creek.

The southwest end of the trail is located at its junction with the New River Trail at Rio Vista Community Park. The park is located just west of Highway 101 and north of W. Thunderbird Road. The Skunk Creek Trail heads off to the northeast from the park. There are also access paths to the Skunk Creek Trail at N 83rd Avenue.

The pathway for the trail on the southeast bank has a junction with the Arizona Canal Trail just east of N. 75th Avenue near Greenway Granada Park on N. 73rd Avenue. The Skunk Creek Trail heads north from this junction and travels alongside N. 73rd Avenue for a third of a mile to return to the southwest bank of the creek.

There is an underpass and access paths for W. Bell Road. Another underpass allows you to cross under N. 67th Avenue. East of 67th Avenue, the trail travels on the southeast bank only for the next 3/4 of a mile. There are several access paths to the trail from Union Hills Drive. In this area, the trail goes by Foothills Regional Park where there is parking and other facilities.

The northeast end of the Skunk Creek Trail is located at N. 51st Avenue, a half mile south of the intersection with Highway 101.

New River Trail

The New River Trail is a 10-mile long paved multi-use pathway system located in Peoria, Arizona, in the northwest portion of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. It follows the route of New River as it wanders through the business and residential areas to the northwest of Highway 101. New River is a natural drainage way, rather than channelized, so there is more greenery and opportunities to view wildlife.

The southwest end of the trail is located at W. Olive Avenue, one mile west of Highway 101. At this location there is an underpass and access paths for W. Olive Avenue. From here the paved trail follows the west bank of the river. The route heads north from this point. The trail has an underpass and access paths for W. Peoria Avenue.

The New River Trail goes under NW Grand Avenue and then splits into two trails that follow each bank of the river on the north side of the roadway. There is a bridge for crossing the river after the underpasses at W. Thunderbird Road. At 1/3 mile north of Thunderbird Road, The New River Trail goes by Rio Vista Community Park. This park has parking, walking paths, athletic fields and other amenities. It is also the location of the junction with the Skunk Creek Trail, which heads off to the northeast and meets up with the Arizona Canal Trail. There is another bridge for the trail just west of the park.

The New River Trail heads directly north of Rio Vista Community Park on the west bank of the river. At 0.4 miles north of the bridge, the Greenway Channel Trail comes in from the west and extends to N. 91st Avenue. A W. Bell Road and then again at N 83rd Avenue, the trail goes under the roadway with access paths to the sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. The trail also goes under Beardsly Road just east of the round-about at N. 81st Avenue.

The north end of the New River Trail is at a point 0.5 miles north of the underpass at W. Deer Valley Road.

Read more about the recreational trails in Phoenix, Arizona


Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Skunk Creek Trail and New River Trail in Phoenix Arizona.

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