Cardinal Greenway
More than sixty paved miles link Richmond, Muncie, Marion, farmland, river crossings, depots, and neighborhoods on Indiana’s longest rail-trail.
Artwork inspired by Maude Kaufman Eggemeyer
Cardinal Greenway reuses former railroad corridors to create Indiana’s longest rail-trail, though its full system includes a gap between the Richmond and Muncie–Marion sections. The route shifts from city neighborhoods and old industrial edges to long agricultural straights, bridges, woods, and small communities. Depots and surviving rail geometry make transportation history visible beneath recreation.
Plan by segment, not the headline mileage. Confirm trailhead parking, the on-road gap, water, restrooms, and return distance before starting. Open farm sections bring wind and sun, while urban crossings require attention even where the trail has priority. Long-distance riders should carry repair gear and offline maps; casual users can choose depot-centered out-and-backs with easier services.
- Length
- More than 60 paved miles
- Status
- Separated major sections
- Origins
- Rail corridor
Quick guide
- Notice the gap
- The Richmond section does not connect continuously off-road to Muncie and Marion.
- Match services
- Select trailheads by water, restroom, parking, food, and turnaround needs.
How to choose the right greenway segment
- Notice the gap
- The Richmond section does not connect continuously off-road to Muncie and Marion.
- Match services
- Select trailheads by water, restroom, parking, food, and turnaround needs.
- Prepare for exposure
- Farm corridors can be windy, hot, and shade-poor despite flat grades.
- Read the railroad
- Depots, cuts, bridges, and straight alignments reveal the former transportation system.
Good to know
The trail is generally open dawn to dusk and free. Official trailheads provide free parking, but amenities vary widely and the system is not continuously connected between all cities. Most paved segments are accessible, with road crossings, grades, temporary closures, and surface maintenance requiring attention.
Notice these
- Richmond depot
- White River crossings
- Long farm-country grades