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Iowa City, IA Running Trails and Maps

119 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around Iowa City?

Find the top rated running trails in Iowa City, 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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Name
Length
Most Popular

Boyson Trail

3.4 mi

State: IA

Crushed Stone

CEMAR Trail

2.05 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Cedar Street Trail

1.2 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Cedar Valley Nature Trail

52 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Central City Trail (IA)

3 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Clear Creek Trail (IA)

8 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Coral Ridge Avenue Trail

1.5 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Court Hill Trail

2.8 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Dovetail Recreation Trail

1.3 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Duck Creek Recreational Trail

13.5 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Edgewood Trail

1.2 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Eldridge/Long Grove Trail

3.5 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Concrete

Ellis Trail

3.5 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Fairfield Loop Trail

16 mi

State: IA

Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Gilroy Rustic Park Trail

0.5 mi

State: IA

Ballast, Grass

Grant Wood Trail (Jones County Segment)

2.7 mi

State: IA

Crushed Stone

Grant Wood Trail (Linn County Segment)

8 mi

State: IA

Grass, Gravel, Sand

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

Great River Trail

62.3 mi

State: IL

Asphalt

Hershey Avenue Trail

0.7 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Accordion

Highway 1 Trail

1.2 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Highway 6 Trail

1 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Hoover Nature Trail

26.7 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel

Iowa River Corridor Trail

13 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Concrete

Kent Stein to Deep Lakes Park Trail

4 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Kewash Nature Trail

13.8 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Lester Matzen Bike Path

1 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Lindale Trail

1 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Gravel

Lower Finkbine Trail

0.9 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Mississippi River Trail (Riverdale to Davenport)

13.5 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Concrete

Mormon Handcart Trail

0.5 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Mormon Trek/Coralville Strip Nature Trail

0.8 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Mount Pleasant Recreational Trails

8.3 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Muddy Creek Trail

1.8 mi

State: IA

Concrete

North Ridge Trail

6.5 mi

State: IA

Asphalt, Concrete

Oakdale Boulevard Trail

3.7 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Old Creamery Nature Trail

15.3 mi

State: IA

Cinder, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Ranshaw Way Trail

1.4 mi

State: IA

Concrete

Running River Trail System (Riverside Park)

5.3 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Sac and Fox Trail

7.2 mi

State: IA

Concrete, Crushed Stone

Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail

5.3 mi

State: IA

Crushed Stone

Sycamore Greenway Trail

2 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Westside Trail (IA)

0.4 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Willow Creek Trail (Iowa City)

1.6 mi

State: IA

Asphalt

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	Boyson Trail The tranquil, tree-lined Boyson Trail runs along Indian Creek and Dry Creek in western Marion. The crushed limestone trail connects neighborhoods, shopping areas, and several parks (north to south):...	IA	3.4 mi	Crushed Stone	1 reviews
	CEMAR Trail The CeMar Trail between Cedar Rapids and Marion, in eastern Iowa, continues to take shape. As of 2020, there are over two miles on the ground with 5 more in various stages of development. The trail...	IA	2.05 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
	Cedar Street Trail The Cedar Street Trail begins on Houser Street in northwest Muscatine and runs until Parham Road over a mile east. It’s a neighborhood trail connecting residents to the homes, schools, businesses,...	IA	1.2 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
	Cedar Valley Nature Trail The Cedar Valley Nature Trail follows the fertile Cedar River between Evansdale and Ely. The 52-mile trail comprises three former trails—the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Cedar River Trail and parts of...	IA	52 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	28 reviews
	Central City Trail (IA) The Central City Trail winds for 3 miles along the banks of the Wapsinicon River, running through Pinicon Ridge County Park into downtown Central City. Pinicon Ridge County Park is 966 acres of...	IA	3 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
	Clear Creek Trail (IA) The Clear Creek Trail is a paved trail for cyclists and pedestrians that spans a lengthy, beautifully-wooded corridor along the Clear Creek, which travels along the southern edge of the communities of...	IA	8 mi	Concrete	1 reviews
	Coral Ridge Avenue Trail While you might have to look a bit far afield to find any living reefs near the city of Coralville, Iowa, you don't have to look far to find a nice trail for biking and walking, thanks to the Coral...	IA	1.5 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
	Court Hill Trail The Court Hill Trail is a concrete pathway that provides a connection between four local parks in the neighborhoods of eastern Iowa City. Starting in the west at Creekside Park, the trail passes...	IA	2.8 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
	Dovetail Recreation Trail The Dovetail Recreation Trail is a short community pathway that runs through developing neighborhoods in the eastern edge of the suburb of Coralville, just north of Iowa City. The concrete trail...	IA	1.3 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
	Duck Creek Recreational Trail The Duck Creek Recreational Trail, also known as Duck Creek Parkway Trail, traverses three riverfront cities in the Quad Cities region of eastern Iowa, offering residents the opportunity for a...	IA	13.5 mi	Asphalt	8 reviews
	Edgewood Trail The Edgewood multiuse trail connects residents along Edgewood Road to the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The concrete trail sits in the grassy margin of the road, and stretches from O Avenue...	IA	1.2 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
	Eldridge/Long Grove Trail Running between the rural communities of Eldridge and Long Grove to the north of Davenport, the Eldridge/Long Grove Trail provides a great recreational asset to these small, quiet suburbs. The path...	IA	3.5 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	0 reviews
	Ellis Trail Ellis Trail gets you as close to the Cedar River as you can get without getting your feet wet. The paved path traces the west bank of the river, running for over three miles one-way, with a sidewalk...	IA	3.5 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	0 reviews
	Fairfield Loop Trail The Fairfield Loop Trail forms a 16-mile ring around the town of Fairfield, mostly in the outlying areas of the countryside. The trail links two major preserves and connects city and county parks....	IA	16 mi	Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel	6 reviews
	Gilroy Rustic Park Trail Located in the quaint community of Lost Nation, the Gilroy Rustic Park Trail is one of the most picturesque places in Clinton County. The half-mile path is lined with trees and, although the trail is...	IA	0.5 mi	Ballast, Grass	1 reviews
	Grant Wood Trail (Jones County Segment) Nearly 3 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Jones County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way in Marion and Olin. The trail is named for the early 20th-century...	IA	2.7 mi	Crushed Stone	2 reviews
	Grant Wood Trail (Linn County Segment) About 8 miles of the Grant Wood Trail in Linn County has been constructed so far (2012) along a former Milwaukee Road right-of-way between Marion and Martelle. The trail currently is in three separate...	IA	8 mi	Grass, Gravel, Sand	5 reviews
	Great American Rail-Trail The Great American Rail-Trail highlights some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, well-known geography and storied history across a 3,700-miles-plus route between Washington and Washington....	DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MT, NE, OH, PA, WA, WV, WY	3743.9 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	2 reviews
	Great River Trail The Great River Trail is a breathtaking journey along more than 60 miles of the Mississippi River in northern Illinois. In places, the paved trail follows the former spur route of the Chicago, St....	IL	62.3 mi	Asphalt	38 reviews
	Hershey Avenue Trail The Hershey Avenue Trail, paralleling its namesake roadway for just under a mile, serves as an east-west connector for the City of Muscatine. The paved pathway begins at the intersection of Hershey...	IA	0.7 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews

Accordion

Highway 1 Trail The Highway 1 Trail is an urban sidepath trail that follows a stretch of the highway through southwestern Iowa City, providing a useful commuting alternative to the busy roadway. The trail, while...	IA	1.2 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
Highway 6 Trail A sidepath trail that runs follows a section of highway east of the Iowa River in Iowa City, the Highway 6 Trail is a paved pathway that helps connect residents with shopping destinations and...	IA	1 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
Hoover Nature Trail The Hoover Nature Trail is a developing rail-trail in southeastern Iowa being built on a former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad right-of-way. The trail is named for President Herbert Hoover,...	IA	26.7 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel	3 reviews
Iowa River Corridor Trail Running throughout Iowa City and the surrounding area, the Iowa River Corridor Trail provides residents and visitors alike with an invaluable off-road means of getting around the city. The trail has...	IA	13 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	1 reviews
Kent Stein to Deep Lakes Park Trail The Kent Stein to Deep Lakes Park Trail (also known as the Wiggens Road Trail) provides an important connector in the southeast Iowa community of Muscatine, which is separated from Illinois by the...	IA	4 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Kewash Nature Trail 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	6 reviews
Lester Matzen Bike Path The Lester Matzen Bike Path is named in memory of an Eldridge man who is fondly remembered for collecting and restoring bicycles. The trail stretches along Le Claire Road between 1st Street and 18th...	IA	1 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Lindale Trail Although short, the Lindale Trail provides an important off-road east-west connection between Cedar Rapids and Marion. The tree-lined route, along the former Canadian National Railway, is nestled...	IA	1 mi	Asphalt, Gravel	0 reviews
Lower Finkbine Trail A concrete pathway that runs for just shy of a mile, the Lower Finkbine Trail forms a crucial link in the Iowa City area's multi-use trail network, connecting residents of the University Heights...	IA	0.9 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
Mississippi River Trail (Riverdale to Davenport) The Mississippi River Trail in Scott County resembles the setting of a Mark Twain novel as it travels 13.5 miles along its namesake within sight of barges, riverboats, and marine-related businesses...	IA	13.5 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	8 reviews
Mormon Handcart Trail Located in a creekside park on the outskirts of the campus of the Univeristy of Iowa, visitors who travel on the Mormon Handcart Trail will learn quite a bit about the journey that the Mormon handcart...	IA	0.5 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Mormon Trek/Coralville Strip Nature Trail Passing over the same ground that Mormon pioneers once crossed on their way out west, the Mormon Trek/Coralville Strip Nature Trail provides a welcome dose of historical reflection and natural beauty...	IA	0.8 mi	Concrete	1 reviews
Mount Pleasant Recreational Trails The small community of Mount Pleasant, Iowa is home to a nice, long series of recreational trails and sidepaths. The trail system enables many residents to easily get around the community by foot or...	IA	8.3 mi	Concrete	1 reviews
Muddy Creek Trail The Muddy Creek Trail is a paved, multi-use trail that runs through the suburban community of Coralville, following the route of the small creek through residential neighborhoods and lovely wooded...	IA	1.8 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
North Ridge Trail The North Ridge Trail is a real gem of a trail, located northwest of Iowa City in the suburban communities of Coralville and North Liberty - the trail is the result of the combination of the North...	IA	6.5 mi	Asphalt, Concrete	0 reviews
Oakdale Boulevard Trail The Oakdale Boulevard Trail is a sidepath trail that runs along the north side of Oakdale Boulevard through suburban Coralville, Iowa. While most of the trail is little more than a wide sidewalk,...	IA	3.7 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
Old Creamery Nature Trail 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	2 reviews
Ranshaw Way Trail The Ranshaw Way Trail is a sidepath trail for biking and walking in the suburban community of North Liberty, outside Iowa City. The trail runs along the side of Ranshaw Way/Highway 965 for over a...	IA	1.4 mi	Concrete	0 reviews
Running River Trail System (Riverside Park) Muscatine’s Running River Trail System offers paved and unpaved routes crossing the riverside city. One of the most beloved segments sits right on the water’s edge: The Riverside Trail is 5.3 miles of...	IA	5.3 mi	Asphalt	1 reviews
Sac and Fox Trail The Sac and Fox Trail offers 7.2 miles of beautiful, shady recreation along the Cedar River and Indian Creek on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids. The oldest designated National Recreation Trail in Iowa,...	IA	7.2 mi	Concrete, Crushed Stone	1 reviews
Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail The SolonLake Macbride Recreation Trail runs for 5 miles between the scenic state park and the town of Solon to the east. The popular trail is perfect for cycling or walking and skiing or...	IA	5.3 mi	Crushed Stone	3 reviews
Sycamore Greenway Trail Iowa City's Sycamore Greenway Trail is a paved trail running alongside the Sycamore Greenway, a stormwater management system comprising a series of cells planted with native flowers and grasses, which...	IA	2 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Westside Trail (IA) One day spanning 1.75 miles, the Westside Trail will serve as an important connector in the southeast Iowa community of Muscatine, providing access to Kent Stein Park and Discovery Park. Currently,...	IA	0.4 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews
Willow Creek Trail (Iowa City) Located amid residential neighborhoods in southwestern Iowa City, the Willow Creek Trail is a paved, multi-use trail that follows the course of its namesake waterway for about a mile and a half. The...	IA	1.6 mi	Asphalt	0 reviews

Accordion

More Iowa City bike trails

Accordion

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Accordion

More Iowa City running trails

Recent Trail Reviews

Iowa River Corridor Trail

Well Worth Your Time

August, 2020 by conrich_tl

I’ve ridden this trail from the Mehaffey Bridge South to the I-80 overpass. It’s a nice wide paved trail in great condition. It goes through North Liberty and then south into Iowa City. There are some pretty big hills in this section, but nothing unmanageable. There’s lots to look at along the way, and some opportunities for side trips, like through Waterworks Prairie Park which was very nice! At the far south end the trail loops around Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, which is a great place to spend some time. They have kayaking and other water sports. You could easily spend half a day enjoying this trail.

Solon-Lake Macbride Recreation Trail

north Lake MacBride trail

August, 2020 by mattsamnoah

A moderate level trail primarily because has some loose gravel and a few grade changes. Worth the trip along the lake and many beautiful wildflower prarie restorations. Doesn’t disappoint.

Boyson Trail

Boyson Park Trail

August, 2020 by diane.m.voss

Only did upper half. Lower half is having a bridge replaced and is closed. Talked to Parks and Rec they said it was a two year project so probably won’t be open the full way until 2022. Upper part is a nice walk and mostly shaded.

Accordion

Hoover Nature Trail

Disappointed!

August, 2020 by esflew

I was riding west on the American Discovery Trail. When I reached the Hoover Nature Trail I was extremely disappointed. My wife was meeting me there to ride this section but it was totally overgrown! No way to ride it. I would have rated this a zero if possible.

Great American Rail-Trail

Great ride today

July, 2020 by vlc9802

We rode this trail from Toulon to Princeville today. It was great! The path was very good. It is mostly shaded. Excellent. We stopped in Wyoming on our way back for lunch. Ate at 111 Coffee Shop. Don’t be fooled, this is NOT just a coffee shop. The lunch was delicious. And it is decorated all with bikes! Perfect for us bikers. And check out the bathroom. Cute!!! Can’t wait to do more of the route from Princeville going south.

Hoover Nature Trail

conesville trail doesn’t exist

July, 2020 by beckee_tl

Wow, showed up to the Coneville trail and it was completely over run with weeds and grass! Really disappointed:

Sac and Fox Trail

I love the Sac and Fox trail!

June, 2020 by jen111

This is a great trail that passes through the SE of Cedar Rapids, along the Cedar River and Indian Creek. It’s mostly crushed limestone and very wide in most places. Moderate rolling hills in some areas. Lots of shade. It can get muddy at times and also floods in some places. But it’s a lovely trail and easier on runners’ knees.

Running River Trail System (Riverside Park)

excellent bike trail

June, 2020 by jason.marshall

Great ride and views of the Mississippi River. Highly recommended.

Mount Pleasant Recreational Trails

nice paved trail

June, 2020 by jason.marshall

Nice trail that has a few challengingly climbs and worth the trip.

Grant Wood Trail (Linn County Segment)

Peaceful, but not perfect

June, 2020 by sciclone

The first two segments of the trail between Highway 13 and Springville Road are well-maintained, pretty straight, and void of much in elevation change. The last segment of trail is requires riding a section of highway with a narrow gravel shoulder and a section of gravel road. When you get to the last segment of the trail (between Alderman Road and Martelle), you will find an unmaintained trail with vegetation growing waiste-high.it is obvious that no one has touched this part of the trail in 2020.

Hoover Nature Trail

Hoover Park to Ely

May, 2020 by phs_tl

This is a nice almost 7 mile ride round trip. My kids 7, 9, and 12 enjoy this route because the turn around point for us is at Dan and Deb’s creamery. ¿¿. Nice canopied area of trees for part of it as well.

Mississippi River Trail (Riverdale to Davenport)

Scenic, fun ride

May, 2020 by marknmk

We enjoyed this trail-only complaint is that there is no parking at the north trail head, and poor markings to find the actual route at this end also. It took us about 20 mins of being lost and stopping to recheck the trail route before we found our way. The beginning of the route takes you through an industrial area, leading to A nice path right along the long beautiful paved path that takes you into some pretty neighborhoods in Bettendorf and Davenport adjacent to downtown. Credit Park had recently flooded and was in pretty rough shape so you may want to skip this portion. Otherwise, thoroughly enjoyed this ride. Some small hills and curves make it just challenging enough and keep your attention. Will do this one again!

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