Johnny Cash Trail

Riverside trail with large murals celebrating the Man in Black

The Johnny Cash Trail is a paved multi-use path running about three kilometres along the American River Parkway near Folsom. It was named and developed to honour Cash's lasting connection with the city — specifically the two concerts he played at Folsom State Prison in 1968 that produced one of the most celebrated live albums in country music history.

Large outdoor murals at several points along the trail celebrate Cash's life and music, making this more than just a bike path. You can walk the trail in under an hour, or combine it with the wider American River Bike Trail network for a longer ride. The trailhead near Riley Street is the most convenient starting point from the historic downtown. Bring water; shade is limited in summer.

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The centrepiece mural along the trail depicts Cash at life size, rendered in a style that echoes the stark black-and-white of his album covers. The trail was inaugurated in 2014 and connects the historic downtown with the area near Folsom State Prison, linking Cash's two Folsom identities — the free-spirited performer who championed prisoners' humanity, and the grim institution that gave him his most famous subject.