Find the top rated horseback riding trails in Iowa, whether you're looking for an easy short horseback riding trail or a long horseback riding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a horseback riding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_135458_st.jpg)
_21160_st.jpg)
Sadly I only had the pleasure to ride from Woodward to the High Trestle Bridge but that short distance revealed a very wide concrete trail in excellent condition. Being a Friday midday there was little traffic on the trail or at the bridge allowing for some nice photography while enjoying my short ride. I only wish I could be there at night to see the awesome LED lighting this art masterpiece has to show!
We came from the east and west side of Iowa to ride. We started at Captain Roy's and heading south to Cumming. Beautiful scenery and lots of places to stop and have refreshments/food. The bridges in Des Moines are beautiful and the path is well maintained.
Overall I like this trail and ride it often. There are sections that are unfortunately in deplorable condition. The same terribly large cracks in the pavement have existed near Mega 10 park and the Riverview/Nicholson Ford area for many years.
Living in Ridgeway this an easy go to trail. I have biked from Ridgeway to Cresco and that portion is nice and flat. It is also next to a highway which i dont care for. The part from Ridgeway to Calmar is the go to section i frequently ride. Nice and flat and you also get a feel of being out in the country. Only a few roads to cross but other than that its nature and you. Well worth your time if you want a nice and comfortable bike ride. Going through Ridgeway would be your only querk. Just follow the signs and you should be ok. Trail is well marked and both Cresco and Calmar have gas stations close.
Started out in Elma. The start of the trail was very welcoming with a visitor center that was well kept. The trail portion to Riceville was groomed nice. There was enough to see to keep things interesting with nice tree cover through small portions. A couple of bridges to crossover. For the most part it is mostly flat but towards Riceville you will have some hills. Nothing to dread but they will kick your butt alittle. During this portion you will travel through some open spaces. This is something that i dont prefer but non-the less there is open-ness. Then you are thankfull to hit Riceville. The trail takes on a new feel even though you can tell the trail has that old feel. Moss growing on portions of it. I opted out of exploring the lake area as pending storms were looming. The treats during this portion is the covered bridges and the marsh area bridge. There is plenty to see. Honestly wished i had more time to explore a bit more. When i arrived at McIntire there is a very large gap in the trail. There is a sign to instruct you to where it picks up again. At that point i turned around and headed back. At that point i was 2hrs in and didnt want to be hunting for where it picks up again. Oh also if your wondering at this point it was 19.2 miles. The trip back wasnt dull. Honestly bucking head winds on the route thus far really takes alot out of you. Having a tailwind at your back for the return trip was a delight.
Four star rating... PROS..awesome trail for any level of biker. Very well marked so you wont get lost. For the most part mostly flat. Where there is scenery it is nice.
CONS...Only two. The open section that you go on seem to never end. Not much to look at except open ness.. The large gap at McIntire was something unexpected. It may be a personal preference but it was something that just seemed so out of place.
Overall...I would not do this particular route again. From Riceville to McIntire I most certainly would.
It is very rare to find a trail of this length with such a smooth and well maintained surface. Gentle railway grade provides just enough work. Amazing trail for serious marathon training or a leisurely recreational skate. No hazards and suitable for skaters of all levels, even beginners. We skated on a Monday morning so traffic on the trail was light. Next time we will be sure plan our skate to be at the bridge for sunset and to enjoy the amazing lighted art exhibit.
I rode the Prairie Farmer Trail from Calmar to Cresco on an early Sunday morning in June, 2019. It's a beautiful ride. The trail is in good shape. Navigation is easy except through the town of Ridgeway, but even that isn't too difficult. I highly recommend this trail if you're in the area.
I came over to Le Mars from central Iowa to ride this trail. I'd heard good things about the town and the configuration of the trail intrigued me. It appeared to connect most of the town, making it possible to bicycle to stores and other destinations, and so I wanted to check it out.
It's a nice trail. The surface is mostly concrete with one or two asphalt sections. It's very smooth and in great shape for the most part. Recent flooding along Floyd Creek appears to have created some problems. There's a missing link where the trail passes under Highway 75. There are rather ominous signs stating that the trail is closed "by police order" warning off people who would try to pass through. They worked with us. and so I can't really comment on the northermost part of the trail.
The rest of it was delightful, though. It does connect the town together. There's a spur that heads off to a Walmart Supercenter, for example. The trail also skirts the community's largest employer, the Wells Blue Bunny ice cream plant. It meanders past the local airport and ends on a county road southwest of town. There are shelters so that people can take cover if the weather turns bad.
The town of Le Mars is very nice and worth spending some time in. We ate at the Iowa BBQ Company downtown and it was fabulous. There's a bike shop in town as well. We wanted to go to the Blue Bunny visitor center but it was "temporarily" closed...I'm not sure why.
All in all, I would say this trail is a model that other small towns can emulate if they wish to make their communities more bicycle friendly. The design, though not perfect, is thoughtful. I know that the winters here can be pretty harsh, and I suspect it's mostly a seasonal resource, but if they plow it as they do similar trails up the road in Minnesota, there's no reason local residents couldn't use it all year round.
Began at South end, parking for 3 but I doubt if much would happen if you parked on side of gravel road. Other than one approach to a bridge large gap/not even and a washed area replaced with crushed limestone- the trail was in fairly good shape 99% paved or concrete. Take plenty of water and food because the towns you pass thru no convenience stores. I road to North end to Albert the Bull and returned to South end. Strava =39.7 miles and 269 ft gain. Surprising the shade and qty of benches throughout. If you are in the area it's worth the time.
Paving from Slater east towards Huxley is supposed to begin summer of 2019. Further down the road the DOT is replacing a bridge for I35 over the trail with a box culvert so a little more pavement happening there. I think that is in the ten year plan, 2023 work stops just short of there.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
