Find the top rated walking trails in Council Bluffs, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Rock Island Old Stone Arch Nature Trail travels 4 miles along an asphalt path atop a former railbed once owned by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Starting near an I-80 on-ramp, the...
The 2-mile long Railroad Highway Trail runs through gently undulating farmland just outside of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The trails sits within the corridor of Railroad Highway, but is separated from the...
The Platte River Connection is a short, but critical, route that will one day link the vast trail systems of the two most populous Nebraskan cities, Lincoln and Omaha. The trail's centerpiece is the...
MoPac Trail West follows the former Missouri Pacific Railroad's Omaha Belt Line (hence "MoPac") from central Lincoln to the city's eastern outskirts, where it joins the MoPac Trail East. The concrete...
Providing an invaluable connection between the 144th Street Trail and the West Papio Trail, two key trails in the Omaha area's trail network, the Westin Hills Trail also serves as a pleasant community...
The Superior Street Trail is primarily a commuter route following its namesake thoroughfare from US 6 (Cornhusker Highway) in Lincoln to the Highlands neighborhood on the western edge of the city. The...
Vascilating between natural and suburban surroundings in the outskirts of Bellevue, the Marv Holubar Trail offers an important off-road connection from local neighborhoods to popular shopping...
For commuters, the 84th Street Trail provides a convenient, north-south route paralleling its namesake road from Mahoney Park and Adams Street to Old Cheney Road. For recreationists, the trail...
The Iowa Riverfront Trail in Council Bluffs spans the western side of the city along the Missouri River. For most of the route, bikers, runners, skaters and walkers are treated to spectacular views of...
The Omaha Riverfront Trail is currently open in three sections along the Missouri River in Nebraska's largest city. In the south, the trail begins at Missouri Avenue/US 275's approach to the South...
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The Indian Creek Trail in Council Bluffs runs north along Indian Creek from busy US 275where it meets the Veterans Memorial Trail and Lake Manawa Trailto the southwestern edge of Sunset Park on 16th...
Although one of the shorter trails in Council Bluffs' outstanding system, the Western Historic Trails Center Link provides an excellent connection between two longer trails. In the south, the trail...
The Lake Manawa Trail in Council Bluffs links the city's industrial core along US 275 with Lake Manawa State Park, a popular destination for hiking, camping, boating, fishing and swimming. In the...
Running through a quiet neighborhood in the western reaches of Omaha, the Huntington Park Trailway (also known more simply as the Huntington Trail) offers a nice concrete path, ideal for residents...
In the heart of Omaha, the Burt Street Trail provides an east-west route between N. 20th Street and N. 30th Street paralleling its namesake roadway. Along the way, it traverses the Creighton...
The Zorinsky Lake Trail offers a pleasant excursion on the western outskirts of Omaha. The paved pathway encircles a 255-acre lake, offering beautiful views of the water from all angles. The full...
The Shanda Dixon Trail borders a residential area along Fremont Street in northeastern Lincoln and makes its way east to Mahoney Park. The trail circles the park, which offers athletic facilities and...
The Steamboat Trace Trail in southeastern Nebraska rests on a former Burlington Northern railroad corridor stretching from Brownville to just south of Nebraska City. The corridor was railbanked by...
The T-Bone Trail stretches nearly 20 miles between Audubon and Pymosa township in western Iowa. The paved pathway follows a former railroad right-of-way and offers beautiful countryside views. On the...
The multiuse trail sits alongside the Sorensen Parkway, extending from the scenic Fontenelle Boulevard west to N 90th Street and Military Road. It provides a recreational path for residents of the...
The Steamboat Trace Trail in southeastern Nebraska rests on a former Burlington Northern railroad corridor stretching from Brownville to just south of Nebraska City. The corridor was railbanked by...
The Bull Creek Pathway is a short neighborhood path with a lot of use. The multi-use pathway runs parallel to Bull Creek and links Harl-Holt Park to Washington Elementary, Schuler Elementary and...
The Northern Atlantic Trails System connects two major recreation sites in Atlantic, Iowa. On the west end is the Schildberg Recreation Area, where 1.3 miles of trail wrap around the three lakes in...
The Murdock Trail, named after the businessman who donated the land to the City of Lincoln, travels east-west for nearly 5 miles through northern Lincoln and its Havelock neighborhood. The trail runs...
Extending north from the 144th Street Trail, the Standing Bear Lake and Recreation Area Trail spans over four miles around Standing Bear Lake and the surrounding neighborhoods and parkland. A popular...
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The MoPac Trail in Springfield is an integral component of what is planned to be a more than 50-mile recreational trail between Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska's two largest cities. Four sections of the...
Stretching a mile across Blair’s northwest side, the Deerfield Lions Trail is so named because it connects the Deerfield subdivision (and Deerfield Elementary School) at one end and Lions Club Park at...
Following a former railroad route, the Field Club Trail spans nearly 2 miles in one of Omaha's older neighborhoods. The northern portion of the trail—beginning just south of the University of Nebraska...
Although one of the shorter trails in Council Bluffs' outstanding system, the Western Historic Trails Center Link provides an excellent connection between two longer trails. In the south, the trail...
In the heart of Omaha, the Burt Street Trail provides an east-west route between N. 20th Street and N. 30th Street paralleling its namesake roadway. Along the way, it traverses the Creighton...
The Valley View Trail spans the eastern side of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passing close to residential neighborhoods, retail hubs, parks and rural areas. Along the way, trail users can read historical...
The Keystone Trail is a popular urban-to-rural corridor for commuters and recreationalists of all stripes: college students, business professionals, families and others who desire access to Omaha's...
This trail is an 8-mile long winding pathway stretching from north to south along 144th Street (State Route 50). It is an important route for both recreation and transportation, providing safe...
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Council Bluffs' Veterans Memorial Trail runs adjacent to US 275also known as Veterans Memorial Highwayfor its 5 mile route. On the non-highway side of the trail, runners, walkers, bikers and skaters...
The Omaha Riverfront Trail is currently open in three sections along the Missouri River in Nebraska's largest city. In the south, the trail begins at Missouri Avenue/US 275's approach to the South...
The Turner Boulevard Trail offers a north-south route paralleling its namesake roadway through residential neighborhoods on Omaha's west side. Although just shy of 2 miles long, the paved pathway...
The Platte River Connection is a short, but critical, route that will one day link the vast trail systems of the two most populous Nebraskan cities, Lincoln and Omaha. The trail's centerpiece is the...
The MoPac Trail follows the former Missouri Pacific Railroad's Omaha Belt Line (hence "MoPac"). This eastern segment of the rail corridor offers a rural experience, heading east from the outskirts of...
Flanagan Lake, opened to the public in July 2018, is a 220-acre reservoir designed to aid in flood control on the outskirts of Omaha. Named for Father Edward Flanagan, the priest who founded the...
The 2-mile long Railroad Highway Trail runs through gently undulating farmland just outside of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The trails sits within the corridor of Railroad Highway, but is separated from the...
The Turner Boulevard Trail offers a north-south route paralleling its namesake roadway through residential neighborhoods on Omaha's west side. Although just shy of 2 miles long, the paved pathway...
Omaha's Big Papio Trail follows the route of Big Papillion Creek from southern Omaha to the city's northwestern corner. The paved trail begins along the creek at Harrison Street in Seymour Smith Park,...
Providing an invaluable connection between the 144th Street Trail and the West Papio Trail, two key trails in the Omaha area's trail network, the Westin Hills Trail also serves as a pleasant community...
The Northern Atlantic Trails System connects two major recreation sites in Atlantic, Iowa. On the west end is the Schildberg Recreation Area, where 1.3 miles of trail wrap around the three lakes in...
The Valley View Trail spans the eastern side of Council Bluffs, Iowa, passing close to residential neighborhoods, retail hubs, parks and rural areas. Along the way, trail users can read historical...
The Wehrspann Lake Trail loops around its namesake reservoir in the Chalco Hills Recreation Area on the southwestern outskirts of Omaha. There are benches and picnic spots along the paved pathway to...
In the heart of Omaha, the Burt Street Trail provides an east-west route between N. 20th Street and N. 30th Street paralleling its namesake roadway. Along the way, it traverses the Creighton...
MoPac Trail West follows the former Missouri Pacific Railroad's Omaha Belt Line (hence "MoPac") from central Lincoln to the city's eastern outskirts, where it joins the MoPac Trail East. The concrete...
The South Omaha Trail serves as an important connector for the city, linking the Keystone Trail, Karen Park, Karen Western Elementary School and the Field Club Trail. The paved pathway is built on a...
The Boulevard Trail (also known as the Happy Hollow Trail) is a 10-foot, 3-mile trail winding through the tree-lined, historic neighborhoods of midtown Omaha. The trail splits off from the Keystone...
The Walnut Creek Lake Recreation Area is a natural gem in Papillion, a southwestern suburb of Omaha. The 450-acre park features a paved multiuse pathway circling Walnut Creek Lake. Along the way,...
This trail is an 8-mile long winding pathway stretching from north to south along 144th Street (State Route 50). It is an important route for both recreation and transportation, providing safe...
For commuters, the 84th Street Trail provides a convenient, north-south route paralleling its namesake road from Mahoney Park and Adams Street to Old Cheney Road. For recreationists, the trail...
Vascilating between natural and suburban surroundings in the outskirts of Bellevue, the Marv Holubar Trail offers an important off-road connection from local neighborhoods to popular shopping...
The Omaha Riverfront Trail is currently open in three sections along the Missouri River in Nebraska's largest city. In the south, the trail begins at Missouri Avenue/US 275's approach to the South...
The T-Bone Trail stretches nearly 20 miles between Audubon and Pymosa township in western Iowa. The paved pathway follows a former railroad right-of-way and offers beautiful countryside views. On the...
The Lake Manawa Trail in Council Bluffs links the city's industrial core along US 275 with Lake Manawa State Park, a popular destination for hiking, camping, boating, fishing and swimming. In the...
The West Papio Trail offers nearly 23 miles of paved trail in the western Omaha metro region. The pathway begins just west of S. 36th Street in Bellevue, where it connects with the Keystone Trail, and...
A Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame rail-trail, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail earns its title—providing an amazing trip through the rural forests and countryside of southwest Iowa. The trail...
The Platte River Connection is a short, but critical, route that will one day link the vast trail systems of the two most populous Nebraskan cities, Lincoln and Omaha. The trail's centerpiece is the...
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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