Find the top rated birding trails in Council Bluffs, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Don't miss out on this wonderful trail!
My husband and I rode Mineloa to Imogene (locals say this is the most scenic part of the trail) in late August. The shady path was really welcoming and peaceful on this sunny warm Iowa day. We were lucky enough to chat with a superb bowtied gentleman, one of the original heroes who advocated to make this path a rail-trail starting in 1988 - and there was much local opposition! This gentleman, now a healthy 74 years old, rides regular and is part of the smashing volunteers on The Wabash Trace Nature Trail.
Thank you Iowa and all those who volunteer to keep this trail sparkling!
We rode from the East part of Lincoln to Elmwood on our "hybrid" bikes (not skinny tires). The trail was basically in good shape, with a few very short rough patches due to the kind of gravel surface and the weather. It is well worth the ride, with lovely and somewhat varied country views and plenty of birds and flowers. The mural in Elmwood is worth the ride up from the trail and the convenience store there will let you buy donuts or ice cream or sports drinks and a pitstop to keep you going.
Began at South end, parking for 3 but I doubt if much would happen if you parked on side of gravel road. Other than one approach to a bridge large gap/not even and a washed area replaced with crushed limestone- the trail was in fairly good shape 99% paved or concrete. Take plenty of water and food because the towns you pass thru no convenience stores. I road to North end to Albert the Bull and returned to South end. Strava =39.7 miles and 269 ft gain. Surprising the shade and qty of benches throughout. If you are in the area it's worth the time.
What I love most about the Wabash, is that it captures all the remote scenery and serenity that I remember from childhood growing up in Kansas, TN, KY and ozark areas. The flora and wildlife on the trail kind of blend that variety with the midwest prairie in a lush and comfortable display of life. I can get to it from my house in Midtown Omaha via a series of local trails, all thrilling through the parks, pit stops, historic downtown shopping, and across the river at the National Parks HQ last even MORE parks, and finally to the Wabash which I am proud to say is a park in itself! I love it for its length and use and find it fun to camp out along near warm summer months when the natural wild secluded atmosphere is blended with distant fireworks and lawnmowers and dogs barking and the dreams of the next small town to stop for an ice cream or cold juice along the journey. I’ve not yet ridden it in Autumn but am prepared to do so this year. It’s been a great opportunity to get in tune with myself and the land and learn about foraging, sustainable resource, and to find happiness as I remain in this community. I hope to meet some amazing people as I travel the Wabash in the future. I also hope for more marked primitive camp zones in shaded safe areas along the trail for future use, and for far many more miles to be added and a link of web across states may be achieved before I am too old to ride much. I am looking forward to the snow melting now and getting back on path as soon as the new green shoots appear and some days off of work allow me to return to this peaceful place.
This was an epically gorgeous ride. We started at the trailhead in Council Bluffs. I followed my map to Lewis Central Middle School and then it’s just right south of that and it got us there just fine. We did a day bike and went 22 miles to Malvern. We had stellar Bloody Marys and great food at Classic Cafe. I heard the place across the street had good ice cream too. Then we headed back and stopped in Mineola at Toby Jack’s Steakhouse for a beer. Great little place that is super use to bikers stopping in. Ended up back at the CB trailhead. If 44 miles is too much I think a bike to Silver City and back would be easier and you still get a pretty gorgeous ride.
You'll love the timbers, river, and bluffs along the way. Stop in Peru for a coffee then Brownville for a late breakfast or lunch. It's my favorite thing to do.
I recommend going on a weekday because the trail is pretty crowded friday-sunday. Enjoyable ride away from traffic, but nothing special.
the trail is still a little too deep in gravel north of Springfield, but seems great to me on the stretch from the Sarpy County fair grounds Heron Bay at the Platte river. great ride, lots of shade and saw no dog poop.
My husband and I enjoyed riding half of the Steamboat Trace Trail. We started by Nebraska city and rode to Peru. The first half had lots of shade which was nice since it was surprisingly hot and humid for an early September morning. We had to pedal against some wind when we got to the more open area through the fields, but it wasn't bad, and we were grateful for the wind on the way back since the temp. rose into the 80's. This ride will be most remembered for the large number of grasshoppers and woolly caterpillars found on the trail. We enjoyed seeing lots of monarchs too. Besides bugs, we did come across 2 angus cows and a calf that found their way over or under the fence and onto the trail. I suspected that this could be a possibility since I saw a cow pie on the trail on the way to Peru. I grew up on a farm so I wasn't too concerned and knew they would move out of the way, but thought I would give future bicyclists a heads up. The trail was in good shape for the most part. Every now and then we would encounter a section with rocks instead of crushed limestone so we had to watch where we were going. The only other thing to look out for is a few areas where they put metal poles so vehicles won't drive on the trail include a base for a pole, but no pole is in place.
I enjoy the trail, as long as the city keeps the grass/weeds cut. Be on the look out for broken glass in the area near 42nd & D st.
And yes be careful crossing at 50th St...I can say someone runs the light almost everytime I used the lights.
It would be nice if there was a bench between 50th-42nd St.
Skated the middle section and had the same problem as everyone else with getting lost. Needs way more signs. The northern section was very nice though! Nice views of the Missouri River and Carter Lake that overshadow the not-so-nice views of an oil refinery, wastewater plant, and trailerpark. I skated from the Carter Lake trailhead in the south to the top of the big hill near Ponca Road. Beware of gravel and sticks that cover the pavement in a few areas.
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