This article was written and posted on INHF's website in May 2007.
This week, four of Iowa’s nature trails have been designated as part of the National Trails System.
The newly designated trails are found across the state. They include Chichaqua Valley Trail in Jasper and Polk counties; Sauk Rail Trail in Sac and Carroll counties; Three Rivers Trail in northern Iowa; and Wabash Trace Nature Trail in the state’s southwest corner.
Each year, National Recreation Trails, a program of the National Parks Service, recognizes existing trails across the country that link people to resources in their communities. More than 900 trails have been nationally recognized so far, including 12 found throughout Iowa. The designation is based on a trail’s uniqueness, facilities, and quality of experiences gained by users.
“Trails tend to reflect their communities because they’re developed, supported and used by people in them,” said Andrea Chase, trails coordinator for Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. “Trails provide fitness and outdoor recreation facilities for area residents, and I think Iowa is beginning to realize the impact they have on the tourism economy as well.”
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit, conservation group that works with private landowners and other partners to protect Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. The organization played an integral role in securing the land for many Iowa trails and their natural corridors. INHF also took charge of nominating the trails recently inducted into the national trails system.
“Creating and sustaining these trails takes lots of partners,” Chase said. “Many county conservation groups work with area volunteers and local and private nonprofits like INHF and the Urban Youth Corps to develop and maintain their trails.”
The trails introduced to the national system this year are some of the lengthiest in Iowa and offer plenty of recreational opportunities.
Chichaqua Valley Trail in central Iowa features a long, wooden bridge over the Skunk River and passes through the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, a 7,000-acre conservation area. Its 20 paved miles offer excellent biking conditions.
Sauk Rail Trail was the first multi-purpose route in Iowa to boast two state parks as its end points: Black Hawk and Swan Lake. The 33-mile path also connects Lakeview and Carroll, with a conservation area in between.
Three Rivers Trail crosses Boone River and the east and west forks of the Des Moines River between Rolfe and Eagle Grove. It was built on a former stagecoach route and provides access to a reconstructed prairie and the Humbolt County Historical Museum.
Wabash Trace Nature Trail meanders through Iowa’s scenic Loess Hills. It stretches from Council Bluffs to the Missouri border at Blanchard. It is the longest of the new national trail inductees with 63 miles of meadows and woodland.
The announcement comes at a special time for hiking and biking enthusiasts. The country’s largest celebration of trails and the outdoors, National Trails Day, will observe its 15th anniversary on June 2.
Chase said people should take advantage of National Trail Day by exploring these and other Iowa trails. For more about trails in Iowa, contact your local county conservation board or visit our trail site.
For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.