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Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

Trail facts:

Length: 17 miles completed, 32 miles planned
Surface: crushed limestone
Hours: year-round, 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Fees: none
Counties: Marshall, Story
Cities: Slater, Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell, Collins, Rhodes, Melbourne
Connecting trails: none
Uses: hiking, nature viewing, biking, cross-country skiing, equestrian use and snowmobiling (please follow designated routes), hunting in Story County only (as posted)

Courtesy of: Story County Conservation Board

Trail description:

This trail offers expansive views plus significant prairie remnants east of Slater, a pioneer cemetery and historical museum in Maxwell, heavily wooded tracts near Cambridge and Maxwell and two wetland areas west of Cambridge. A double track allows room for horses. Between Collins and Rhodes, trail users cross the Hoy Bridge, which is 212 feet long and 60 feet tall. This unique, massive concrete arch bridge was built in 1912 to accommodate a double railroad over Clear Creek.

Updates: The trail has been completed from S14 to Maxwell (not shown on the map). Funding has been approved for construction from Cambridge to County Highway S14. Construction is anticipated in the summer of 2008.

Trailhead maps on this site:
  • None available at this time

Resources from other sites:

  • Trail Resources
    Short overview of the trail, with links to books and maps that can be purchased for trails in general.

For local information:

Trail managers
*Marshall County Conservation Board: 641-752-5490, www.co.marshall.ia.us/departments/conservation
*Story County Conservation Board: 515-232-2516, www.storycountyconservation.org

Local tourism info
*
Marshalltown Convention & Visitors Bureau: 641-753-6645 or 800-697-3155, www.visitmarshalltown.com
*Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau: 800-288-7470, www.amescvb.com



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