The Hoover Nature Trail in Conesville consists of two disjointed sections. The first runs for about .25 mile north along farmland from the intersection of 7th Street and Todds Ferry Road. The second (and longer) section begins just south of Conesville at the intersection of 255th Street and S. Todds Ferry Road and runs for 1.25 miles to scenic Cone Lake. This portion of the Hoover Nature Trail is the only stretch not to be located on the same abandoned rail corridor as the other open sections. However, the path to Cone Lake is also a rail-trail; check out the old railroad trestle piers still standing in Cone Lake for confirmation.
When completed, the Hoover Nature Trail will run through 6 counties and 16 towns between Cedar Rapids and Burlington on an abandoned Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad right-of-way. Along its journey, the trail will pass through a variety of landscapes, including woodlands, farmland, prairie and urban areas. Part of the trail will follow a bluff above the Iowa River.
The trail is named for President Herbert Hoover, who was born in West Branch—one of the many towns the abandoned corridor passes through. The trail currently includes 6 open sections, as well as the
Flint River Trail, which occupies the southern portion of the corridor in Burlington for part of its route. For a complete overview of the trail, see the
Hoover Nature Trail (Overview) page.
There are no dedicated parking lots for either of these two sections of the Hoover Nature Trail, so consider parking on city streets in Conesville. As always, be mindful of any parking restrictions and respectful of the property of local landowners.