Find the top rated inline skating trails in Ft Dodge, whether you're looking for an easy short inline skating trail or a long inline skating trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a inline skating trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_0_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
Discovered this comfortable place with great accommodations for two bike travelers. They offer a pullout sofa if you do not wish to share a bed. Indoor bike storage with a comfy bed and a hot shower! Distillery right next-door and two restaurants to fuel up in the morning to get back on the trail. Close to the panhandle of West Virginia. Their name is Harmony Trail Haven on Airbnb.
Highly recommend this beautiful and well kept trail. Beautiful to ride along the trees and over the 2 epic ohiopyle bridges.
Rode the High Trestle trail round trip between Slater and Woodbridge on Tuesday, 4-21-26. Rode a total of 26.9 miles starting at the west Slater trailhead. Nice bathrooms and lots of parking there, with easy access to both the High Trestle trail (going south or west) and the Heart of Iowa trail (going east). The trail surface is fantastic; wide trail with new concrete, and mowed grass on both sides much of the way. Of course the highlight of this ride was the High Trestle bridge. We spent time at each of the six viewing platforms on the bridge as well as the scenic overlook on the west side. Overall, a great ride. We will do this one again sometime.
Rode the Heart of Iowa trail east from Slater to the Skunk River bridge area, and back, on Monday, 4-20-26. It was 65F with a SE wind at 17 to 25 (windy!). The trail surface was concrete in excellent condition! The trail is exposed to the wind between Slater and Huxley. The last 1.5 miles into Huxley was on surface streets. We ride rail trails so we are not exposed to the dangers presented by cars, so this was a surprise and a disappointment. The landowners who refused to grant the trail a right-of-way allowed their NIMBYism to prevent themselves from putting something beautiful in the world. The portion of the trail within Huxley could benefit from signage; there is virtually none. The Skunk River bridge was the highlight of this section of the trail; great views! If we had a do-over, we would have started in Huxley, skipping the Slater - Huxley section which is not as scenic and requires time with car traffic.
We really enjoyed riding from Panora almost to Adel and back. Really shady areas to ride and several bridges. The trail was really nice. Another day we road from Perry to Waukee and back and that is pretty much a straight ride. That’s good for little ones to learn. We felt that we like the west ride better. All in all was a good experience for the parts we road on.
I live in Jefferson and ride this trail pretty much every day. It's a big part of the reason I moved to this corner of Iowa. I've ridden every inch of it multiple times. Here are some general observations:
1. If you want smooth concrete, the north leg from Waukee to Herndon is for you. It's the newest leg of the trail and it's in really good condition. The southern leg from Waukee to Herndon and the leg from Herdon to Jefferson are a mixed bag in terms of pavement condition. There are some bumps and divots, but none of it is terrible and anyone who says it is hasn't ridden a lot of rail trails in other parts of the world.
2. Amenities are a mixed bag. You'll often find restrooms closed and many of the towns have no services at all. Your best bets if you need to make a stop are the trailheads in Waukee and Jefferson along with Adel and Perry.
3. Cell coverage is adequate over the entire trail length. This is not quite the back of beyond, but it's getting close in some parts. I typically carry a spare tube and bike tool, just in case.
4. Trail required a permit when I first moved out here. It no longer does, at least in Greene County. Not 100% sure regarding Dallas and Guthrie. Back in the day, rangers would routinely stop me in both Dallas and Guthrie, especially on weekends.
5. A round trip on the entire trail, including the leg to and from Jefferson, comes in at just under 100 miles in length.
6. If it's solitude you crave, the southern loop from just west of Adel all the way up to Jefferson is usually pretty much empty.
7. Any type of bike will work. I typically ride a singlespeed gravel bike with 40 mm tires, but road bikes and trikes are just fine too. There are times I combine parts of the trail with gravel and minimum maintenance roads and on those occasions I'll ride my Surly Karate Monkey with 3" 650b wheels. Anything goes.
8. Speaking of which, there are some interesting side trips on gravel worth taking including the hop to Brenton Aboretum near Dallas Center, the Bonnie and Clyde monument at Dexfield Park near Redfield and Bays Branch Wildlife Area and Springbok State Park between Panora and Yale. Camping at Sportsman Park near Dawson or Springbok State Park.
In summary, the RRVT is an iconic rail trail...one that every cyclist should ride at least once.
This trail is short but sweet. I rode it on a Saturday in early August 2025 and there were very few people on it. Very enjoyable! I rate it 5 stars!
Traveling cyclist
Facebook
I rode this trail in Sept 2024 before I knew it existed. I left a review on the HTT. SUPER connector trail between two great 5 star trails. I rode it on a weekday in late July 2025 and never saw a soul but I did see some wildlife.
I rate this 5 stars!
Traveling cyclist
Facebook
The trail is now all concrete from Huxley to Collins (used to turn to cinder just past Cambridge over the Skunk River bridge). Great ride and a mix of sun and shade. Not too hilly or flat. Trail is in great shape as it is new concrete. Parking and bathroom facility in Huxley at the Railroad Park. 34 mile round trip to Collins. Highly recommend.
I’m not from the area, but was camping nearby for a few days and decided to come check this trail out. First, it extends further North and South than the 0.6 miles. I parked at the swimming pool (unfortunately closed) and my round trip ride was almost 5.8 miles. It was all hard surfaces, no crushed limestone/rock. To the south lots of shade over the trail, while heading north of town it was more open. Between 1st & 3rd streets the addition of glowing flakes/rocks? (It’s all smooth) have been added for an interesting night-time effect.
Wonderful trail. The bridge is amazing. Make sure you ride it at night when it's lit up!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
