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Three Rivers Trail

Trail facts:

Length: 44 miles planned, 33 miles completed
Surface: crushed limestone on converted railbed
Hours: year-round, no restrictive hours
Fees: none
Counties: Pocahontas, Humboldt and Wright
Cities: Rolfe, Bradgate, Rutland, Humboldt, Dakota City, Thor and Eagle Grove
Connecting trails: none
Uses: hiking, nature viewing, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hunting in Pocahontas County only, equestrian in Humboldt County with permission only

Courtesy of: INHF

Trail description:

The Three Rivers Trail travels along the West Fork of the Des Moines River. It crosses the Boone River and the East Fork of the Des Moines River. The historic trail has a lot to offer visitors; from miles of uninterrupted woodlands and marshes to river valleys and open prairies waiting to be explored.

The trail follows a former stagecoach route between Bradgate and Rutland. All of its 36 railway bridges remain intact and are part of the trail.

Resources from other sites:

  • Trails from Rails
    This site provides a simple map and lots of pictures.  There is also a description of the trail and a list of the closest towns as well as the services and amenities that can be found in each. 
  • Great Bicycle Trails
    The Great Bicycle Trails website provides a nice picture of the trailhead and part of the trail, but it doesn’t have a map.  There is, however, a detailed description of the trail from someone who appears to have experienced it first hand.

    For local information:


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