How to Make a Walkway With River Rocks

River rocks accentuate a rustic environment, adding subtle colors and textures to a landscape. Whether you live near a body of water or wish to tie a hardscape into a pond or garden fountain, a river rock path is simple to create. You'll need to prepare the site to deter weeds, but once the path is laid you'll have an attractive low maintenance walkway that will last for as long as you want it.

Landscaping paint or (2) ropes
Shovel
Tamping tool
Weed screen or landscaping fabric
River rocks

Instructions

- 1
  Choose the path for your walkway. Sit in the yard and sketch possible shapes and lengths or walk the area to determine the beginning, end and course in between. Space the walkway at least 4 feet wide so two people can walk side-by-side. Use landscaping paint or two ropes to outline the area.
- 2
  Excavate the river walkway path with a shovel until it is 6 inches deep to remove root systems. Press a tamping tool against the soil to pack it down.
- 3
  Set weed screen or landscape fabric over the dirt and secure it with spikes in each corner. The fabric prevents weeds from growing through the rocks.
- 4
  Pour river rocks over the site until it is about half-full. Tamp the river rocks to compact them together so the bottom rocks form a strong support base, preventing the surface from shifting.
- 5
  Fill the remaining expanse with river rocks and rake them so they are even. Tamp the entire surface down until it resists pressure.

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