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.
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Trail is really great but could definitely use some more gravel in certain areas where the path is shaded and it doesn't get as much sun the sand can suck all the energy out of you. Of course that could just be in the Winter months.
The first time I road this trail it was very new. I have been back many times and have watch the community support the trail more and more. Now there are restaurants and hotels that cater to the riders.
This is one of my favorite trails in the Des Moines area -- especially the stretch east of the 88th St parking lot. The scenery is beautiful and there are lots of shaded stretches. Watch out for broken pavement, though -- especially in the mile or so east of 88th, just east of Mingo, and just west of Baxter. There are sections of the trail where large cracks have formed and one side has dropped by an inch or two. I hope this is in someone's budget for repair.
The wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip bicycling from the Nebraska side to Iowa and eventually back over on this awesome suspension bridge in October. Plenty of photo ops, pedestrians, and joggers!
Bicyclists: Plan on riding Omaha's Riverfront Trail and Iowa's Riverfront Trail on either side of the bridge to make a day of it! Council Bluff's Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park is especially cool with its large grassy areas, trees, and sculptures!
On a glorious Sunday morn in early October, my wife and I crossed the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge from Omaha into Council Bluffs to experience the Iowa Riverfront Trail.
On a vacation from Southern California to ride our bikes in ten states, I'm sorry to report that this trail was nothing to write home about.
In all fairness, the bridge is awesome, the Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park and amphitheater area with it's large grass area, trees and sculptures is pretty cool, and there are some awesome views of Old Muddy and the downtown Omaha skyline, but that's about it for highlights. As soon as you start riding in either direction from the bridge, it becomes somewhat disappointing.
After ignoring the temporary "Keep Off the Trail" sign and barrier , we headed upriver. It was OK with some pleasant Omaha views, but felt a bit sketchy when entering a woodsy area with obvious remnants of some homeless camping. Try to ignore the speeding cars racing by on the freeway.
Going downriver from the bridge was discouraging too. It's not especially picturesque, but you do get to ride through the parking lots of a couple of casinos!
I will concede that at least this is a great, well maintained, flat trail for the locals to work out on.
Nice brisk walk in Indianola. Lots of bunnies and little animals and some cool plants.
Enjoyable tree canopy trail that travels through western Iowa’s farmlands and small towns. Should be on everyone’s trail adventures list. We will definitely be back for another ride.
Had a very nice ride from one end to the other. This is a beautiful time of the year to ride and enjoy this trail. Its a winner. Kind cool they have several waypoint along the trail with tools and tire pump. Very nice
Beautiful trail to ride right next to the lake and through parks. Most of the trail is on the sidewalk, but some is on a bike lane in the street (low traffic).
In 2021, the longest segment of the trail was extended further west within Marion and now ends at 7th STREET. That stretch is about six miles long from the east endpoint at Oxley Road. The trail goes underneath Highway 13/151.
There is also another segment of trail within Marion that is about 1.3 miles in length. The western endpoint is just east of C Avenue NE. The trail has a high bridge over Indian Creek, and the trail dead ends just west of Marion Blvd. When I visited on 10/04/2021, there was construction underway to complete the 4/10's of a mile gap between the two sections described above. Hopefully, my review will also soon be out of date, and the connected stretches making one eight-mile trail.
The middle 2.3 mile stretch from Creekside Road to Springville Road is primitive, but passable. I would describe that stretch as grass growing through a narrow, gravel footpath. The grass is kept mowed. That stretch is scenic, with full-sized trees. However, with the primitive surface, I had to carefully watch where I was riding, instead of being able to gaze around.
The eastern-most stretch, between Alderman Road and Martelle should not be listed as a trail. It is not maintained, and there are multiple places with trees blocking the abandoned right of way.
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