Chichaqua Valley Trail
Trail facts:
Length: 20 miles
Surface: asphalt on converted railbed
Hours: year-round, sunrise to sunset
Fees: none
Counties: Polk and Jasper
Cities: Baxter, Ira, Mingo, Valeria, Bondurant
Connecting trails: none
Uses: hiking, nature viewing, biking, cross-country skiing, skating
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| Trail description:
The Chichaqua Valley Trail is part of a proposed 110-mile trail loop that crosses the forested banks and timbered bluffs of the Skunk River. The river got this particular name because local pioneers interpreted the Native American word, "Chichaqua" to mean "skunk." The word actually refers to the odor of the wild onions that once grew along the river's banks.
This trail runs through a number of small communities and a variety of wildflowers can be found along the path. The young trees also growing there form a protective arch from sun and wind. A long, lovely wooden bridge crosses the Skunk River and features pullouts where trail-users can pause to admire the river and its valley.
When the trail passes through the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, it opens into an extensive wildlife area with lots of recreational opportunities including camping, birdwatching, canoeing and hunting (though park amenities are not located right by the trail).
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Trailhead maps on this site:
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Resources from other sites:
- Jasper County Conservation Board
This 2-page PDF contains a small overview map, brief trail description, parking information and trail rules.
- Trails from Rails
This site features a description of the trail and a map. The map shows the towns that the trail passes through. There is also a grid of the towns and the services/amenities that can be found near the trail. Contact information for the owners/managers of the trail is also included toward the bottom of the page.
- Enviro-Explorers
If your kids are interested in exploring Iowa, this is a good site for them to visit. Geared towards children, this page gives a trail description, some historical facts, pictures and a trail map, which includes trailhead location.
- Des Moines
An extremely brief set of directions and description of the trail can be found here. There is a lengthy list of nearby restaurants and hotels, but it doesn’t include directions, and most are several miles from the trail.
- Polk County Conservation Board
This site provides an up-to-date map that features restroom and parking locations, general trail information, and a brief history.
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For local information:
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