Explore the best rated trails in Des Moines, IA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Galloping Goose Trail (IA) and Ashawa Greenway Trail. With more than 77 trails covering 4217 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We are going on to the Mickelson, but thought we would stop for the night in Iowa and take a ride. Very glad that we did. Came into Ames around 5:15PM. Saw that sunset was at 8:31 so we drove down to Madrid and went west to Woodward. The trip was short but we crossed the bride twiice and it was lit.
We parked in the Grants Woods lot outside Madrid, but the gravel trail is pretty steep in spots and rough, I suggest that if you park there, go back to the highway and go on about 500 feet where the Trail actually intersects it. There's some risk of car traffic, but we saw none. and you avoid having to walk up some steep gravel slopes.
Rode the entire trail today. The ride is pretty however very hard to enjoy due to poor condition of the trail. The seams are very rough and major patch work though out the trail. First part of the trail from Water Works Park to Cummings, IA is not as bad but south of Cummings is very very bumpy. I hope there are some resurfacing upgrades scheduled soon. I would not ride it again. The Iowa Distillery in Cummings was a great stop.
The wife and I rode this trail for the first time on the first day of spring, going to be our favorite trail I believe! Start in Steamboat Rock and it’s a gradual incline most of the way to Eldora which makes it easy ride on the return trip. For us Golden age folks it’s a win win…
In 2023 about 11/2 miles from Skunk River east to be paved, heard a rumor they got more funds to pave up to S14 or farther towards Maxwell. I35 bridge replacement could close that section for a couple of years in 24 and 25
Although short, it’s sweet! 3.5 miles of paved trail with a few benches scattered along the way to stop, reflect and just enjoy! Have ridden it multiple times, in all seasons, and it never fails to given me pleasure.
Awesome trail Uphill ride into Pella Don’t forget to stop at the Peanut Pub across from a great bike shop for a craft beer. Perfect experience
Can ride through county park which gives you 6.8 miles in total. Can’t wait for a trail extension but overall great addition for Knoxville
Lately, it is clear that, though, visitors enjoy these trails own by the city of Polk County and Water Works, there is a glim of sadness of cruelty going on throughout these trails. As The Polk County City Council and parks administrators have up to "pimp" the natural beauty of their wilderness to be destroyed by the hunting, bicycle, land-escaping and real state developmental business and brewing business.
The wild animals, forestry, waters, flora are being destroyed, in order to satisfy, not only the UNSATISFYING GREED OF THESE BUSINESS BUT THE POLOK COUNTY administrators in charge of it.
More and more trees are being cut down regardless if these are not ash trees, old. The fauna throughout these trails gets constantly injured and killed by visitors riding motorized vehicles and high speeding cyclist, drunk visitors shatter their beer bottles throughout the homes of these animals, there is trash allover, even next to trash containers! The are hardly any signs asking visitors to through their trash away, and hardly any available trash and recycle containers!!! These trails are NOT WILDERNESS FRIENDLY are poor managed by not protecting the wilderness from the increased amount of visitors that show not responsibility for their actions throughout these trails. There are not signs to caution visitors to keep safe wildlife and they need to post signs to help injured animals. Seeing animals being hunted by bow-arrow is the cruelest scene I have ever experienced, and my visits to these trails have open my awareness of the dark side of their management.
Visitors need to be conscious that there are living beings throughout these trails and that they need to be considerate of the wildlife safety in them. There is not need for land escaping, as their natural beauty is best God
I have no complaints about this trail. My husband and I rode from Ankeny to Woodward and back with no issues. 50 miles out and back! Mostly flat so be prepared to pedal continuously. We passed many friendly cyclists. We stopped at the Flat Tire Lounge for a bite and went on our way. The trail is very well maintained and has many places for rest stops, benches and port a potties, and self serve filling stations. Highly recommend this trail.
9/18/22: Rode from Cambridge to Slater. Fully paved on this section. Like others, I briefly lost the trail in Huxley - no signs!
We parked at the wonderful covered parking in Perry and took the trail 13.5 mile to Dallas Center. Great smooth paved trail! Mostly flat and easy because of that. Would recommend!
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