Find the top rated running trails in Grinnell, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Great trail, flat and smooth. Monroe has Jersey Freeze about 1/2 mile from trailhead- best ice cream esp the Van and Bonbon shake. Then Prairicty has Goldie’s restaurant which has the best tenderloin sandwiches and strips. The trailhead in prairie city is at west end of town by Casey’s gas. It has running water and real toilets . Has an oversized steel buffalo for a great photo shoot. You can continue your ride following the road to up and over the bridge to south of trailhead and then immediately left into the Neil Smith Wildlif Refuge- designated bike lanes on each side of roar and a 4+ mile pedal to the educational center. There are a few good hills to challenge you. Look to west and you might see the buffalo and elk.
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.
Very nice trail but numerous sections closed for renovations. Good it's being maintained. Work in progress as of 6/30/2025.
Rode from Sycamore Trails (NW 66th St.) north to Big Creek Beach & Marina and back, ~33 miles round trip. Beautiful scenery, saw deer and other wildlife, many bridges, pretty smooth concrete and asphalt track. More bumpy in the state park than the other sections. Much of the trail was shady, which was appreciated on this hot, muggy day.
Sections of the trail are being closed for resurfacing. They replaced the blacktop to Ivan's campground with cement which is a massive improvement. Glad to see this beautiful trail being maintained.
I rode the length of this trail many years ago. I recently in mid June 2025 rode from Center Point to the outskirts of Cedar Rapids. I was surprised that it was glass smooth asphalt ( I was expecting crushed stone as it was when I rode it before) the whole 12 or 13 miles. One of the best trails in Iowa. 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
Wonderful trail. The bridge is amazing. Make sure you ride it at night when it's lit up!
We rode this as part of a 3 state Midwest trip. This was our first ride. We loved the trail, the historical information, the scenery, and the workout! We went back at night and walked the bridge end to end in a nearly full moon. The lit up part of the bridge was worth the trip back. A must-do ride!
Since I was traveling through the area on my way back to Ohio, I made a point of seeing the bridge with its fancy artwork. It was worth it. Weather didn't allow me to do much more than Madrid to Woodward and back. The cement trail was wide and clean. The bridge was great. There are informational signs before and on the bridge. After dark (and a rainstorm) I went from the trail parking lot in Madrid to across the bridge, to the viewing area and back. The 30 mph winds made it very breezy while on the bridge, but the lights made it so cool. I would encourage others to see it in daylight and again when the lights are on.
We rode the full trail from Washington to Keota, Over all a great afternoon ride. A couple of gophers holes to dodge, but the trail is in pretty good shape.
Took my road bike from Johnston to Des Moines. The parts close to Johnston are pretty bumpy. The bumps aren't ideal, but it's nothing unbearable. The closer you get to Des Moines, the smoother it gets. Awesome route by the river.
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