Cottonwood Crossing

Trailhead starts from Marion’s tree-filled Central Park, where restrooms are available. Leaving the park, turn west on Main St. In a few blocks turn right and proceed north out of town on Walnut St.
The first half of the trail generally maintains a gentle increase in elevation interspersed with moderate hills. It should be noted that throughout the ride road surfaces will alternate from stretches of smooth road gravel to packed dirt. The dirt stretches are great but make sure to verify recent/future weather conditions.
The 57- mile trail essentially loops around a portion of the Cottonwood River and its scenic reservoir. At the northwest point of the ride, the trail intersects two remnants of the historic Santa Fe Trail.
1) Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts can be found in the city of Tampa’s Lutheran cemetery, near a “Santa Fe Trail Crossed Here” marker. Tampa has a few services, including a bar (The Sale BARn), a restaurant (Santa Fe Trail Cafe), and a small grocery store (Tampa Trail Stop). You'll want to verify their hours prior to departure!

2) Cottonwood Crossing, where the Santa Fe Trail crossed the Cottonwood River, is just west of the city of Durham. It is marked by another “Santa Fe Trail Crossed Here” marker and a Park Service kiosk. Also in Durham is the Main Street Cafe, but be sure to verify hours!
From the Cottonwood Crossing the trail heads back to Marion on the west side of the reservoir. The grade is slightly downward on the way back to Marion.

Historical note: Legend has it that around 1845 the U.S. Army lost a cannon in the river at Cottonwood Crossing. It was never retrieved.

Historical note: Back before the Santa Fe Trail, during Zebulon Pike’s 2nd expedition (1806–1807) to explore the Arkansas and Red Rivers, his diaries indicate that he traveled up river from Marion to the Cottonwood Crossing area. There, he crossed the Cottonwood River and traveled north of the Smoky Hill River to negotiate with the Pawnee tribes before he continued on to investigate the Arkansas River in the Colorado area (and some say to spy on Mexico in what is now New Mexico).