Johnny Cash Loop Trail

The Johnny Cash Trail Loop makes use of the Johnny Cash Trail portion that wraps from historical downtown Folsom around a portion of the perimeter of Folsom State Prison to its end overlooking Folsom Lake. From here the loop path makes use of additional multi use trail to return to the beginning point.

The Johnny Cash Trail is clearly the highlight of this route, crossing a couple modern bridges and tracing the prison property's perimeter. Finished in 2017, this trail follows a gentle grade that rises from downtown Folsom as it passes through quiet neighborhoods, crosses Robber's Ravine which was used as a hideout by outlaws, and makes its way toward the lake. This portion of trail is very popular, and walkers, hikers, runners, and bicyclists all use this trail, particularly on weekends. 

Quite a few other paved trails intersect with the route, allowing hikers to adjust their path in accordance to the distance they would like. One downside may be the lack of shade along this portion of the loop trail, creating exposure to the heat during the warmer months. From the Folsom Lake crossing, the path follows protected roadside paths as its descends along a street fronting the Folsom Dam before looping around to follow through a winding shaded wooded path paralleling the American River. One tall bridge makes the final bridge crossing that leads back to the downtown area.

Folsom offers paid parking at the Folsom Powerhouse State Park lot where a visitor center offers water and bathrooms, otherwise there is plenty of free parking in lots and on streets throughout the downtown area.

Trail users should prepare for exposure to heat and sun during the warmer months - there is no water available along the loop trail and longer portions contain no shade.