Links you'll love: Iowa trail sites
Iowa DOT trail site
Compiled by the Iowa Department of Transportation, a key partner building Iowa trails, this site includes the following sections:
- Transportation maps-these range from detailed statewide to city locations and are available to view online or to purchase.
- Bicycle safety
- Iowa’s multi-use trails- a lengthy list is provided of all Iowa trails over 5 miles long.
- Trails Funding
- Documents and Plans about existing trail projects and developments within the state.
- 2006 Iowa Bicycle Summit
This site has a lot of information on bicycle safety as well documents and planning for building and improving existing trails. Visit this site if you are interested in learning about trail projects going on around Iowa.
Iowa DNR trail site
Compiled by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, this site includes the following:
- Information on and locator maps for Iowa trails: bicycle, canoe/kayak, cross country skiing, equestrian, hiking/running, mountain bike, OHV/ATV/dirt bike, and snowmobile.
- GIS interactive mapping section
- Water trails section
- Recreation links
- Event calendars
This site has a lot of information on bicycle safety as well documents and planning for building and improving existing trails. Visit this site if you are interested in learning about trail projects going on around Iowa.
Bike Iowa
If your favorite trail activity is biking, you'll love this site! With plenty of information for both biking enthusiast and all those just getting acquainted with the activity, this site has almost everything you’d want to know about the sport—such as teams, clubs, trail and other general information on biking in Iowa. The biggest draw to this site is the list of upcoming events and cycling news that all revolve around Iowa. This site is created and maintained by Scott Sumpter, an avid Iowa biker.
Iowa Life Changing: Things to do: Trails
Created by the Iowa Department of Tourism, this site allows you to select and search in different regions, cities or by specific key words for trails. It’s a great tool to use if you don’t know what trails are near you.
Paved Bike Trails Across America
This site provides information exclusively on paved bike trails in Iowa. Besides featuring many individual trails, the site includes a page for each of the 50 states with links to websites that provide biking information in that state.
Discovering Nature on Iowa's Trails
This PDF brochure was published by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. It contains facts about native species on Iowa trails, fun nature trail activities for kids and adults and links to more resources.
Iowa Trails Council
This site contains a directory of trails in Iowa along with information about the American discovery route and Iowa trail news.
Iowa Bicycle Coaltion
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition Web site is filled with information for the biking enthusiast. It includes links to upcoming bicycle events, information about bike tourism, trails and safety, along with an Iowa Bike Blog and more.
National/regional trails with Iowa connections
Trails from Rails Pathways to Adventure and Discovery
This site is home to the many old railway corridors that have since been changed into trails for multi-recreational uses. There are trails listed across the entire United States. However, it allows you to click on Iowa and view locations and names of trails in this particular state. Most of the routes go through numerous small towns and give the rider a chance to see and experience rural America. Many of these small towns have their own attractions and interesting histories.
The American Discovery Trail
When completed, the American Discovery Trail (ADT) will stretch across more than 6,800 miles and 15 states. It is the only coast-to-coast non-motorized recreational route. There are two different paths through the Midwest and one happens to go through Iowa. This is a great site if you are looking for short recreational trails or long trips. It shows the cities the trail runs through as well as the local names that the trail matches up with and descriptions of each. Check with local trail sites to confirm each trail section is actually complete!
Mississippi River Trail
The Mississippi River Trail is a 10-state cycling route in process of development. It travels over 2000 continuous miles between the headwaters of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca, Minnesota and the Gulf of Mexico, winding its way through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. This site provides trail status in Iowa, whether or not certain parts are finished or still under construction. It also includes resources, links and a description of the river in Iowa.
Selected local trail sites
NOTE: On this site, trails listed as containing "expanded information" contain links to websites related specifically to that trail. However, here are a few other trail sites that cover multiple trails in a given region.
Central Iowa Tourism Region: Trails
The site for Central Iowa Tourism Region includes a section on trails in the area. About 14 trails are listed and include trailhead information, hours, miles, surface and contact numbers.
Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Anything and everything you wanted to know about trails in the Greater Des Moines area can be found at this site. With links to trail/park maps, trail related activities and safety and etiquette procedures; this is the one stop site to recreational trail information.
Des Moines River Water Trail
The Des Moines River Water Trail information page has access points, latitude and longitude, obstacles, directions, attractions and links along 404 miles of the scenic and historic Des Moines River.
Rolling Prairie Tri-County Trail System
This site features a recreational trail system planned for North Central and Northeast Iowa. Though the project isn’t yet complete, the site contains a map showing current trails as well as planned trails. When complete, the corridor will include nine communities, three counties and two state parks.
Story County trails
This site contains information on all trails and parks within Story County. The rules and regulations are listed along with the names of parks and trails that are linked to pages that have more information on each. Maps are provided for some along with trail descriptions and more details.
Cedar Trails
This site belongs to the Cedar Trail Partnership, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the continued expansion and enjoyment of the recreational trails in Cedar Valley. The site includes trail maps as well as loads of pictures to help give site visitors and idea of what each trail is like. There is also a section on events, such as the Cedar Trails Festival held annually in August.
Raccoon River Valley Trail
This is the online home of the Raccoon River Valley Trail with maps, fee information, trail news and events. Along with logistical information, the site also offers an interesting history on the trail and a listing of lands for sale in the surrounding area. Make sure to check out their comprehensive links page, with links to local county conservation boards and other biking websites.
For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.
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