Grinnell, IA Birding Trails and Maps

302 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Grinnell?

Find the top rated birding trails in Grinnell, 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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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
52 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

C.R. Roberts Memorial Trail

1 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Carlisle Nature Trail

3.17 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Cedar Valley Nature Trail

70.6 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Chichaqua Valley Trail

29.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Ewing Park Trail

0.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Gay Lea Wilson Trail

20.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Great American Rail-Trail

3743.9 mi
State: DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

High Trestle Trail

31.74 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Inter-Urban Trail

1.3 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Kewash Nature Trail

13.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Mahaska Community Recreation Trail

12 mi
State: IA
Concrete, Gravel

Mark C. Ackelson Trail

6 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Oralabor Gateway Trail

5.2 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Red Rock Prairie Trail

9.75 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

River's Edge Trail (IA)

7.1 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Sergeant Road Trail

9.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Summerset Trail

12 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Trestle to Trestle Trail

3.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Veterinary Medicine Trail

1.2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Volksweg Trail

12.5 mi
State: IA
Asphalt
Accordion

Great Western Trail (IA)

19 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Heart of Iowa Nature Trail

25.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Iowa 330/US 30 Trail

11.1 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Kruidenier Trail

1.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Linn Creek Recreational Trail

10 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Neal Smith Trail

26 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Newton Hike and Bike Trail

6 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Old Creamery Nature Trail

15.3 mi
State: IA
Cinder, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Pine Lake Trail

2.4 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Pioneer Trail (IA)

11.5 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Rock Creek Recreation Bike Trail

5.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Wolf Creek Trail (IA)

2.6 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Comet Trail

7 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone, Grass

Competine Trail

0.9 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

East Hillcrest Trail

0.8 mi
State: IA
Concrete

McVay Trail

1.6 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Bill Riley Trail

2.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

John Pat Dorrian Trail

3.4 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Des Moines River Trail

2.6 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Easter Lake Spine Trail

1 mi
State: IA
Concrete

Greenway Trail (Altoona)

1.1 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Grinnell Trail

1.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Grundy County Lake Trail

3 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

Hubbard Prairie Trail

1.3 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

John King Trail

0.5 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Martin Luther King Jr. Trail

1.1 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Meredith Trail

5.2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Praeri Rail Trail

10.5 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Principal Riverwalk

1.5 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Skunk River Trail

4.1 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete

South Tama Recreation Trail

5.6 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Southeast Connector Trail

3.09 mi
State: IA
Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The C.R Roberts Memorial Trail in Dysart picks up right on the western end of the Old Creamery Nature Trail which travels all the way to Vinton via Garrison. Unlike the latter trail, this trail is...
IA 1 mi Asphalt
Opened in 2016, the Carlisle Nature Trail is a beautiful way to experience the natural beauty of the small Iowa community of Carlisle, located about a dozen miles southeast of Des Moines. Running...
IA 3.17 mi Concrete
Overview The Cedar Valley Nature Trail follows the fertile Cedar River between Evansdale and Ely. The 70.6-mile trail comprises three former trails—the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, the Cedar River...
IA 70.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Overview The paved Chichaqua Valley Trail crosses nearly 30 miles of central Iowa farmland between the northeastern Des Moines suburbs and the rural community of Baxter. The trail’s name,...
IA 29.7 mi Asphalt
The Ewing Park Trail is a paved path, perfect for a short bike ride or jog, located in the city of Des Moines' Ewing Park. One of the city's largest public parks, the park is home to a popular lilac...
IA 0.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Nestled in the suburbs of Des Moines and traveling through the towns of Ankeny, Berwick, Pleasant Hill, and Altoona, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail is named for a local advocate who first conceived of a...
IA 20.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY 3743.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Overview The High Trestle Trail, which spans 31.4 miles across Iowa, is one of the most pristine and highly trafficked trails in Iowa—even at night. The trail’s popularity is largely due to its...
IA 31.74 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Des Moines' Inter-Urban Trail was opened in 1998 on the abandoned tracks of the Urbandale streetcar line. Residents and visitors of Iowa could ride the electric-powered trolley from Urbandale to Des...
IA 1.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Kewash Nature Trail winds for nearly 14 miles between the towns of Keota and Washington. These endpoints were creatively combined to form the trail's name. The trail has a crushed limestone...
IA 13.8 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Mahaska Community Recreation Trail wraps around the southeast Iowan city, Oskaloosa, winding through neighborhoods, farmlands, community parks, and woodlands. Construction of the trail began in...
IA 12 mi Concrete, Gravel
It may be hard to believe now when you see children laughing on the playground and neighbors out on a morning jog but Easter Lake and the park that surrounds it sit on the site of a coal mine that...
IA 6 mi Concrete
The Oralabor Gateway Trail is a 5.2 mile concrete-surfaced spur branching off from the Neal Smith Trail south of Saylorville Lake and just north of NW 66th Avenue. While running adjacent to suburban...
IA 5.2 mi Concrete
The Red Rock Prairie Trail is a developing rail-trail that will link three central Iowa towns, just outside of Des Moines: Mitchellville, Prairie City, and Monroe. The paved, multiuse trail runs 9.75...
IA 9.75 mi Asphalt
Following a former railroad corridor, the River's Edge Trail (formerly known as Iowa River Trail) will one day span 34 miles from Marshalltown in Marshall County to Steamboat Rock in Hardin County....
IA 7.1 mi Concrete
The Sergeant Road Trail is part of the larger trails system in the Cedar Valley region of Iowa, which includes the cities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo. The trail parallels US 63—also known as Sergeant...
IA 9.9 mi Asphalt
The Summerset Trail links the two central Iowa communities of Indianola and Carlisle, both of which have embraced the trail, including providing helpful signs at each end with clear directions for...
IA 12 mi Asphalt
Polk County's Trestle to Trestle Trail stretches from Des Moines to Johnston, one of its northern suburbs. The 3.7 mile asphalt trail, which runs near both heavily-wooded forest and the Des Moines...
IA 3.7 mi Asphalt
The very appropriately named Veterinary Medicine Trail passes through the animal science research hub for Iowa State University. A paved shared-use path in the City of Ames, the trail provides a short...
IA 1.2 mi Asphalt
Who says Iowa doesn’t have hills?! The winding route of the Volksweg Trail sticks mainly to the rolling hills and scenic viewpoints from Lake Red Rock all the way to the town of Pella. Dutch...
IA 12.5 mi Asphalt
Accordion
Overview Built on a former section of the Chicago Great Western Railroad (built in 1893), the Great Western Trail spans 19 miles between Des Moines and Martensdale.  About the Route The...
IA 19 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Heart of Iowa Nature Trail traverses classic Iowa farmland along the former route of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road. The trail transitions...
IA 25.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
The Iowa 330/US 30 Trail stretches from just west of the small town of Melbourne to the outskirts of Marshalltown, the largest city and county seat of Marshall County, located close to the geographic...
IA 11.1 mi Concrete
The Kruidenier Trail cuts through beautifully landscaped areas around Gray’s Lake and leads you into downtown Des Moines. The park offers a permanent on-site bike rental facility, restrooms, and a...
IA 1.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete
As it runs directly through the heart of Marshalltown in central Iowa, access to the Linn Creek Recreational Trail is easy for many of the city's residents. They will want to take advantage of it,...
IA 10 mi Asphalt
Part of an expansive trail network in the Greater Des Moines region, the 26-mile Neal Smith Trail rolls along the banks of the Des Moines River through the Ding Darling Greenway conservation area and...
IA 26 mi Asphalt
Located just over thirty miles east of Des Moines, the small city of Newton boasts a charming midwestern feel - and complementing the city's charm is the lovely Newton Hike and Bike Trail, which...
IA 6 mi Concrete
The Old Creamery Nature Trail, running between Vinton and Dysart, is so named for the Old Creamery Theater Company building in Garrison, another tiny farm community through which the trail passes. The...
IA 15.3 mi Cinder, Crushed Stone, Gravel
The Pine Lake Trail runs through a heavily wooded state park of the same name, which is especially known for its 250-year-old white pine trees. The trail begins at Deer Park, a half mile east of...
IA 2.4 mi Concrete
Central Iowa's Pioneer Trail—which gets its name from the early settlers of Grundy County—is built on a former rail line that once connected the towns of Holland and Reinbeck and the communities in...
IA 11.5 mi Crushed Stone
The Rock Creek Recreation Bike Trail is a paved multi-use trail that provides a connection between the small, charming college town of Grinnell and Rock Creek State Park, a popular destination for...
IA 5.8 mi Asphalt
The Wolf Creek Trail begins in Gladbrook, a small city about 70 miles northeast of Des Moines. The trail was established in 2001 by volunteers from the Gladbrook community who secured the right-of-way...
IA 2.6 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
The Comet Trail is built upon an abandoned right-of-way of the old Chicago Northwestern Railroad. It runs for 7 miles between the town of Conrad (City Park) and just east of Beaman, traversing a...
IA 7 mi Crushed Stone, Grass
The small city of Knoxville, about forty miles southeast of Des Moines, is chiefly known for the Knoxville Raceway and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum, which draws racing enthusiasts...
IA 0.9 mi Asphalt
The East Hillcrest Trail is a short suburban trail located in the community of Indianola. Running along the avenue of the same name, the trail provides several important local connections, linking the...
IA 0.8 mi Concrete
The 1.6-mile McVay Trail in Indianola provides a paved route for cyclists, walkers and joggers between East 5th Street and Pickard Park. The trail follows the bed of the former Chicago, Burlington and...
IA 1.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Bill Riley Trail delivers a short but immersive trail experience in a tranquil natural setting. The trail begins at the southern end of the Walnut Creek Trail, and follows the creek into Ashworth...
IA 2.7 mi Asphalt
The John Pat Dorrian Trail, formerly known as the East River Trail, runs for nearly 3.5 miles from Pete Crivaro Park in south Des Moines to Birdland Park and Marina just north of downtown. At this...
IA 3.4 mi Asphalt
Take a morning bike ride or evening stroll on the Des Moines River Trail. The paved trail diverges from the Meredith Trail and Prinicipal Riverwalk, continuing for 2.6 miles downstream to the James W....
IA 2.6 mi Asphalt
A short, paved trail that connects neighborhoods and preserved open space to the Mark C. Ackelson Trail at Easter Lake Park, the Easter Lake Spine Trail is a useful asset to the community and forms a...
IA 1 mi Concrete
For residents looking for a low-key space to get some exercise, the Greenway Trail provides a swathe of nature nestled between suburban subdivisions of Altoona. The trail runs the length of Greenway...
IA 1.1 mi Asphalt
The trail is made up of two as yet unconnected segments: the northern segment is about half a mile long, providing access to Grinnell Community Senior School, Lion's Park, and Iowa Valley Community...
IA 1.8 mi Asphalt
The Grundy County Lake Trail circles its namesake 40-acre lake, where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, boating, and many other recreational opportunities. The paved trail then continues north,...
IA 3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Hubbard Prairie Trail is a one-mile rail-trail extending from the northwest edge of the small town of Hubbard in central Iowa to the Meier Wildlife Refuge. The refuge offers a pleasant place to...
IA 1.3 mi Crushed Stone
The John King Trail runs along a former railroad corridor in Albia, Iowa. From 3rd Ave E to Benton Ave, the trail runs parallel to an active railroad line. Cruizin’ Albia Park, which has a playground...
IA 0.5 mi Asphalt
A sidepath trail located along the side of the adjacent busy parkway that shares its name, the Martin Luther King Jr. Trail may not provide the sort of pleasant, natural trail experience that other...
IA 1.1 mi Asphalt
The Meredith Trail connects from downtown Des Moines west to Gray’s Lake Park. The trail picks up off where the Principal Riverwalk leaves off along the Des Moines River. At the confluence with...
IA 5.2 mi Asphalt
The Praeri Rail Trail runs on an old section of railroad right-of-way between Zearing and Roland in central Iowa. Sections of the trail near Roland and McCallsburg have a crushed limestone surface,...
IA 10.5 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
To the residents of Lastrobe, the Lincoln Avenue Rails to Trails Greenway is more than a simple off-road path: it also a social asset, a place where community members of all ages and walks of life can...
IA 1.5 mi Asphalt
South Skunk River is a tributary of the Mississippi River. In Ames, the Skunk River Trail brings residents closer to river and to nature. The shared use path sits on the shady west bank of South Skunk...
IA 4.1 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The South Tama Recreation Trail connects the adjacent towns of Tama and Toledo in Tama County, Iowa. The original section of the trail, a 1 mile stretch built on an abandoned railroad corridor, opened...
IA 5.6 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
Named for the major project the city of Des Moines has undertaken to improve transportation and connectivity along the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in the southeastern section of downtown, the...
IA 3.09 mi Concrete

Recent Trail Reviews

Chichaqua Valley Trail

Great trail

October, 2024 by dpate

I rode the Chichaqua Trail in early October 2024. From the southwest end to 88th street east of Bondurant is smooth cement. There is parking and a restroom at 88th st where it changed to asphalt with a few minor issues. The worst part was between Ira and Baxter. Just watch for cracks. Some bad spots are paint marked. Overall a great long trail away from noise and traffic that I would highly recommend riding. I give it 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook

Kewash Nature Trail

Kewash Trail

September, 2024 by dpate

I rode the Kewash in late Sept 2024. It’s paved from Washington up to the bridge at Crooked Creek where it changes to good crushed stone. There were a very few holes that some animals have dug here and there but overall the crushed stone is in solid great condition with no loose gravel. There is a lot of straight open riding with no shade. It’s a very serene ride with no interaction with the death machines. I rate this 5 stars for sure. Traveling cyclist Facebook

High Trestle Trail

Great trail

September, 2024 by dpate

I rode from 1st street in Ankeny north to Slater then west to just outside of Perry. The map shows it is broken just west of Woodward but it in fact continues into Perry. I think it’s the HT Trail to Raccoon RV trail but there is not a map for that one. Definitely a 5 star trail! Traveling cyclist Facebook

Accordion

Great Western Trail (IA)

Edit

September, 2024 by dpate

I said I rode in 2025 but I see no way to edit. I rode Sept 2024. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Great Western Trail (IA)

Good trail

September, 2024 by dpate

I rode this trail in mid September 2025. I started at the north end not knowing there is a rail closure at Count Line Road and Hwy 28. It continues to a mile and a half north of the Chicken Restaurant. The trail was open the rest of the way to Martinsdale. The older asphalt sections have plenty of cracks and is rough. The cement sections are heaven. I think eventually it will all be cement. Wonderful mostly shaded ride through the country. I give it five stars even with the rough sections. It’s another great long trail away from the death machines.

Neal Smith Trail

3 cheers!

September, 2024 by dpate

I rode the trail from Cherry Glen Rec Area into Des Moines for 15 miles. There are some older sections that are a bit rough but there are also some new cement sections that are fabulous. It winds through great scenery and even with rough areas I would rate this trail five stars. I highly recommend checking this trail out! Traveling cyclist Facebook

Sergeant Road Trail

Good trail

September, 2024 by dpate

This is another great trail in the Cedar Valley Trail system. It’s a smooth trail and though it runs near a road the noise is not deafening. I enjoyed this trail and I rate it 5 stars. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Cedar Valley Nature Trail

Kind of rough

September, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

In early September 2024 I started this Cedar Valley Trail in Evansdale and headed south. The trail was paved but it has a lot of big perpendicular cracks and little sink spots that detract from the enjoyment. Too bad they haven't paint marked the bad spots that you cannot see when they're in shadow. It is one of the rougher trails I have ridden and I was begging for it to turn into crushed stone. At Miller Creek Road the trail was closed. I believe it's where the much wanted gravel section would have started. I think they are paving the gravel parts so the new parts should be good when completed. I was anxious to ride this trail but I was a little let down by the condition and the closing. 4 stars for surface condition.
Traveling cyclist
Facebook

Great Western Trail (IA)

Short Ride

September, 2024 by mjmeyer_tl

We were hoping to ride this entire trail this morning but were unsuccessful. We started south out of Cumming and it was SO bumpy that we turned around after about three miles. Riding north of Cumming we encountered the same bumpy patched up trail until we encountered a trail closed sign. I couldn’t really enjoy the scenery as I had to keep a close eye on the trail. The trail at the street crossings was concrete for a few yards on either side which was wonderful. We left the trail after only riding nine miles. We were disappointed in the condition of the Great Western trail and won’t ride it again unless it gets a major facelift.

Neal Smith Trail

Beautiful trail, highly recommend! A bit bumpy in spots, but very well maintained!

September, 2024 by bockcynde

Beautiful trail, highly recommend! A bit bumpy in spots, but very well maintained!

Trestle to Trestle Trail

Nice connector

August, 2024 by dpate

Super connector trail between Johnston trails and Des Moines trails. Just one of many good trails in the greater Des Moines area. 5 stars Traveling cyclist Facebook

High Trestle Trail

Must see

August, 2024 by dpate

I have ridden this trail on numerous occasions though I have not seen the bridge lit up at night. There is another reason to return to this fantastic trail! 5 stars from this rider. Traveling cyclist Facebook

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