Mason City, IA Birding Trails and Maps

82 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Mason City?

Find the top rated birding trails in Mason City, 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
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Type
22 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Franklin Grove Heritage Trail

3 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Cinder

Harry Cook Nature Trail

2 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

NIACC Trail

2.2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Rolling Prairie Trail

21 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Three Rivers Trail

39.9 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail

27 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Waverly Rail Trail

7.6 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Winnebago Trail

3.7 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Blazing Star State Trail

6 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

High Line Trail

2.7 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Shooting Star State Trail

24.3 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Cedar River Greenbelt Trail

4 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Prairie Land Trail

11.3 mi
State: IA
Crushed Stone

Hanson Trail

3 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Hynes Spur Trail

1.8 mi
State: IA
Asphalt

Path of Progress

3.3 mi
State: IA
Asphalt, Gravel

Riverside Trail (IA)

1.2 mi
State: IA
Asphalt
Accordion

Todd Park Bike Trail

2.4 mi
State: MN
Asphalt

Wildwood Trail (Austin)

1.2 mi
State: MN
Asphalt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Charley Western Recreational Trailway provides a useful off-road route around the outer limits of Charles City. Built on the site of the former Charles City Western Railway, the trail runs along...
IA 4 mi Asphalt
The Franklin Grove Heritage Trail rests on top of an abandoned Rock Island railroad corridor that runs through the heart of the small Iowan city of Belmond. The trail connects the residential section...
IA 3 mi Asphalt, Cinder
The Harry Cook Nature Trail runs for 2 miles from the edge of the small city of Osage, Iowa to the city's public Spring Park. The trail, which opened in the early 1990s, occupies the bed of an...
IA 2 mi Crushed Stone
The NIACC Trail in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, connects the campus of North Iowa Area Community College with the edge of downtown Mason City. The trail provides a convenient and safe alternative to...
IA 2.2 mi Asphalt
When complete, the Rolling Prairie Tri-County Trail System will connect several communities and two state parks as it travels through quintessential northeastern Iowa prairie. The railroad on which...
IA 21 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Part of the Rolling Prairie Trail, the Shell Rock River Trail (also known as the Butler County Nature Trail) connects the eastern edge of Clarksville with the community of Shell Rock. The trail runs...
IA 5.9 mi Asphalt
The Three Rivers Trail runs for nearly 40 miles from the small community of Rolfe—named after the early English settler who married Pocahontas—to just west of Eagle Grove. The mostly rural trail is...
IA 39.9 mi Crushed Stone
The Wapsi–Great Western Line Trail is a 27-mile pathway on the former Chicago Great Western Railroad. The trail passes through a plethora of backdrops, including wide, rolling landscapes, Iowa...
IA 27 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Waverly Rail Trail offers a pleasant, small town–meets-rural experience as it travels for 7.6 miles from downtown Waverly to its eastern endpoint north of Denver. It is also part of the Rolling...
IA 7.6 mi Asphalt
The Winnebago Trail provides the residents of Mason City with a safe, off-road link to nature, winding 3.7 miles from East Park and through residential areas to the Lime Creek Nature Center as it...
IA 3.7 mi Crushed Stone
The Blazing Star State Trail is located in Albert Lea, near Minnesota’s southern border. The town is known as “The Land Between the Lakes,” and the trail begins on the northern shore of one of the...
MN 6 mi Asphalt
When finished, the High Line Trail will stretch 8 miles across Mason City, IA and connect to other local trail routes. In 2023, the trail's first 3 miles opened from 12th St. NE to 19th St. SE. The...
IA 2.7 mi Asphalt
Shooting Star State Trail, which is over 24 miles long, is an 8-foot-wide asphalt path from Nicolville (east) to Le Roy (west). It follows an unused railroad bed on Milwaukee Road, which once...
MN 24.3 mi Asphalt
The Cedar River Greenbelt Trail snakes along the west side of the river between Osage and Mitchell. The limestone trail is suitable for walking, jogging, biking and horseback riding. The trail is open...
IA 4 mi Crushed Stone
The Prairie Land Trail follows an abandoned railroad corridor 11.3 miles between 240th Street in Mason City and Jonquil Avenue in Swaledale. With a surface of crushed limestone, the rail-trail runs...
IA 11.3 mi Crushed Stone
The best place to begin the Trolley Trail is in Mason City in Ray Rorick Skate Park, located adjacent to the 81-acre Lester Milligan Park, which has two fishing and swimming ponds, hiking and biking...
IA 7.5 mi Asphalt
The Hanson Trail is a paved, off-road alternative to State Route 9 in Forest City, Iowa. The trail parallels the road for its entire length through fertile farmland. Forest City and the Winnebago...
IA 3 mi Asphalt
The Hynes Spur Trail links the heart of Forest City, Iowa, with its municipal airport to the south. The short paved trail passes through Pammel Park and adjacent to the Bear Creek Golf Course, with...
IA 1.8 mi Asphalt
Sheffield's Path of Progress is a railroad-turned-multiuse-trail. The trail sits on the former Union Pacific right-of-way. The trail surface switches from asphalt in the northern half, to gravel for...
IA 3.3 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Charles City's Riverside Trail runs for a little over a mile along the banks of the Cedar River, providing gorgeous views and recreational opportunities, as well as access to several city...
IA 1.2 mi Asphalt
Accordion
The Todd Park Bike Trail makes use of an old railroad grade to connect recreational destinations in Austin. The paved trail links Todd Park to Mill Pond on the Cedar River. The trail traverses Todd...
MN 2.4 mi Asphalt
Located in the low-lying woodlands in along Wolf Creek, this trail picks up across 11th Street from Todd Park and its paved bike trail. The trail winds through the riparian forests on lands once owned...
MN 1.2 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Three Rivers Trail

Damaged trail

October, 2024 by d_ochsner

Flood waters earlier this year have damaged a section of trail between Rolfe and Bradgate. East of Melson Park / Pilot Creek Road the trail was some large areas of trail that have been washed out. The trail is virtually unrideable. The bridge over the Des Moines River just west of Bradgate has been cleared and is open. But my estimate is there are several hundred years of trail that have been washed out. I’d suggest either of the short road options between Melson Park & Bradgate

Waverly Rail Trail

Nice trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I rode this trail in mid May 2024. There was a bridge being replaced without a detour around. I would guess about five miles out of Waverly. I then went to Denver and rode the other way to the closure. It’s a good trail that could by now be complete again so I plan to return soon. 5 stars Traveling cyclist Facebook

NIACC Trail

Short and sweet

August, 2024 by dpate

This is a great short trail. It takes you from the east side of Mason City to NIACC. It’s a scenic trail at some points. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Accordion

Winnebago Trail

Great trail

August, 2024 by dpate

It’s not a super long trail but scenic and it connects some of the local recreation spots. It connects to the Line Creek trail in the north. I live here and I ride it often. 5 stars from me on this one. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

Great commuter trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I have ridden this trail since its creation in I believe 89 or 90. For many years I rode it from Mason City to Clear Lake for work and back. Now that I am retired I still ride this trail regularly. I wish there was more of a buffer between the trail and the highway. 4 stars only for highway noise. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Charley Western Recreational Trailway

Great trail!

August, 2024 by dpate

I have ridden this trail twice. If I lived in Charles City I would ride it everyday. It is a great trail that I recommend highly. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Harry Cook Nature Trail

Nice short trail

August, 2024 by dpate

This is a good trail but pretty short. 5 stars.. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Prairie Land Trail

Nice peaceful trail

August, 2024 by dpate

I live near here so I have ridden this trail numerous times. It’s a good gravel trail that is road bikeable. I road it with 700X38 at 17/18 MPH without issue. It’s a good trail that should be extending southwest in the future. I give it 4 stars only for not much shade and no porta potties. Traveling cyclist Facebook

Rolling Prairie Trail

best and worst trail

August, 2024 by kg4duke_tl

Road 38.5 miles on the Rolling Prairie trail. Started in Hampton and road to Shell Rock. Trail is divided into three sections that can be connected by using paved and gravel roads. Would not recommend riding from Hampton to Dumont. Someone thought it a good idea to use large gravel for several long sections of the trail. I have a gravel bike and it was a challenge. Trail is poorly marked and closed in one section and I had to find a work around on gravel roads. Worst section of a bike trail I’ve ever ridden in Iowa and I’ve ridden 34 so far. The good news is from Allison to Shell Rock is paved and well marked.

Three Rivers Trail

Nice Trail

August, 2024 by kg4duke_tl

Good trail with some interesting history. Most scenic part with rivers and streams by the trail is south of Rolfe to Humeston. Road the trail on August 9, 2024. FYI the bridge over the DesMoines River south of Rolfe a few miles is out, and trail is closed for that section, but can bypass to Bradgate on the road to get back on.

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

Good connector

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

I have ridden this trail since it's inception in the early 90's. For many years I commuted between Mason City and Clear Lake on it for work. It is right near the highway and there isn't much scenery and no shade. It makes a good place for locals to get some car free miles in. I still ride it often.

Traveling cyclist
Facebook

Prairie Land Trail

Nice Peaceful Ride

July, 2024 by xgqrms2jbn

The trail is gravel good enough to ride a road bike on. There isn't much shade or an amenities but very quiet and peaceful. It is being expanded to the south and I hope one day to the north to connect to other Mason City trails. I would recommend riding this trail and I will return here.

Traveling cyclist
Facebook

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