By dbiechler in September, 2010
The Linn County Conservation Board quit charging a user fee for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail a long time ago. Please change this in the written materials for this trail. The trail is free and a great trail. Two major bridges over the Cedar River in Black Hawk County remain closed due to the 2008 flood. Repair work is currently being done on the one at Evansdale.
By cj5w4wd in September, 2009
The trail is great but even in the parking lot off Boyson Rd in broad daylight on a busy Sunday--some creep broke my car window to steal my daughters cell phone. If it had not been in plain view I might have been OK.
By Sixxfan in August, 2009
This was my first time on CVNT. Myself and two friends hiked from Hiawatha to Brandon. WOW! AWESOME HIKE, and lots of cool views. Had a BLAST and will return to go from Brandon to Evansdale when the trail is fixed. CAN'T WAIT!
By dctrail in July, 2009
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to cycle on a portion of the CVNT for the first time. The trail still has two major bridges over the Cedar River that remain closed due to severe flooding last year. One is in Evansdale, and the second is located east of LaPorte City. Efforts are underway to repair both bridges and it's hoped that by sometime in 2010 they will be reopened. We cycled from the north end, parking in a residential area on the south side of the Cedar River near Evansdale and biked down to LaPorte City where we turned back around. This stretch of trail is paved and was quite an enjoyable ride. Mostly tree lined, with some picturesque views of the Cedar River valley and the river itself. In Gilbertville, the old brick railroad depot remains standing at the trailhead here and is quite a neat building. I look forward to biking on other segments of this popular trail in the future.
By Andy in January, 2007
Linn County no longer charges a fee to use this trail.
By Clifford DeBoer in July, 2004
"We started near Waterloo and rode south on the section all blacktop. It was great. We saw deer and other animals. One of the overlooks was in bad shape the first time, but completely repaired on our second visit.
Keep up the great work, Iowa.
-Cliff & Bernice"
By Jon Soliday in October, 2000
"This is a very nice trail running NW - SE from Waterloo to Cedar Rapids areas. The trail out of Waterloo is asphalt for awhile, then changes to chipped asphalt.
It's a very scenic 52 miles -- great views of the Cedar River and lots of ""tree tunnels."" I'd suggest riding it in Mid-October when the foliage is at full color.
As far as stops go, my favorite are the taverns in Gilbertville and La Porte City. Friendly locals. Cold beer. What more can you ask for."