Neal Smith Trail Reviews Return to the Neal Smith Trail page Submit a Review By albaby in September, 2012 The Neal Smith trail was a huge disappointment. From the map, it appears to run along the edge of Saylorville Lake. Yet while biking the trail, there are no views of Saylorville Lake due to the thick underbrush and forest. The trail is well marked, but you have to carefully watch for the little brown signs. The trail has mile markers every 1/4 mile, but we could not locate a trail map that shows these mile markers, so you never know where you actually are. At one point the trail runs through the middle of a very very busy Marina parking lot where I almost got hit by a car. At many points you share the road with trucks and big campers at the many busy campgrounds along the lake. The steep climbs and descents are very grueling (up) and dangerous (down). The trail is not suited for children, as they could easly lose control down a steep descent and reach speeds exceeding 20 mph. On the positive side, the asphalt surface is in good condition, and the trail is in the shade a good portion. Neal Smith Trail by Lake Saylorville By Joan Dietrich in April, 2012 April 20, 2012 This is one of the prettiest trail rides I’ve ever ridden, going through wooded areas and along a 24 mile-long lake. Definitely not a rails-to-trails, lots of hills, curves and elevation! We parked about 9 miles north of Des Moines and rode almost to the north end of the trail in Big Creek Park. The trail is in great condition and well marked. Though there was a strong wind the day we rode, the trail provided good protection. For those who like to camp, this would be a perfect location, with sites right on the trail. There is a beach with swimming allowed. We biked a few miles south of Rt 6, going under I-80. That section of trail is older and not in as good condition but has nice views of the river which runs along side it. You can connect to many other area trails. Urban and scenic Federal Park By mlbattani in June, 2011 This trail runs through Des Moines though some parts in the city are closed due to flood damage and construction once you get outside of Des Moines and head to Saylorville Lake it gets better it has recently been repaved. Pedaling by the dam is a bit steep. Some hills around the lake.
Submit a Review By albaby in September, 2012 The Neal Smith trail was a huge disappointment. From the map, it appears to run along the edge of Saylorville Lake. Yet while biking the trail, there are no views of Saylorville Lake due to the thick underbrush and forest. The trail is well marked, but you have to carefully watch for the little brown signs. The trail has mile markers every 1/4 mile, but we could not locate a trail map that shows these mile markers, so you never know where you actually are. At one point the trail runs through the middle of a very very busy Marina parking lot where I almost got hit by a car. At many points you share the road with trucks and big campers at the many busy campgrounds along the lake. The steep climbs and descents are very grueling (up) and dangerous (down). The trail is not suited for children, as they could easly lose control down a steep descent and reach speeds exceeding 20 mph. On the positive side, the asphalt surface is in good condition, and the trail is in the shade a good portion. Neal Smith Trail by Lake Saylorville By Joan Dietrich in April, 2012 April 20, 2012 This is one of the prettiest trail rides I’ve ever ridden, going through wooded areas and along a 24 mile-long lake. Definitely not a rails-to-trails, lots of hills, curves and elevation! We parked about 9 miles north of Des Moines and rode almost to the north end of the trail in Big Creek Park. The trail is in great condition and well marked. Though there was a strong wind the day we rode, the trail provided good protection. For those who like to camp, this would be a perfect location, with sites right on the trail. There is a beach with swimming allowed. We biked a few miles south of Rt 6, going under I-80. That section of trail is older and not in as good condition but has nice views of the river which runs along side it. You can connect to many other area trails. Urban and scenic Federal Park By mlbattani in June, 2011 This trail runs through Des Moines though some parts in the city are closed due to flood damage and construction once you get outside of Des Moines and head to Saylorville Lake it gets better it has recently been repaved. Pedaling by the dam is a bit steep. Some hills around the lake.