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The Fort Dodge Nature Trail begins at the city's Snell-Crawford Park and runs northeast for nearly 9 miles. The trail travels adjacent to overhead power lines and crosses a couple of bridges over Soldier Creek. Passing just out of sight of the residential part of the bustling manufacturing city of Fort Dodge, the trail offers a treasured sense of seclusion. As the trail winds farther north, it cuts through heavily wooded forest before entering open farmland and ending not far from Fort Dodge Regional Airport on rural County Highway D14. North of 170th St, there are nearly 4 miles of trail along a concrete path that cuts through flat farmlands that extend all the way north to Badger.
Directly at the southern end of the trail in Snell-Crawford Park, the Soldier Creek Nature Trail begins. While that trail is paved, the Fort Dodge Nature Trail has a more natural surface and is thus better suited for fat tire bikes. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on both trails.
Combined, the two trails are 5 miles long. Both occupy an abandoned Chicago and North Western railroad corridor.
The sole parking lot for the Fort Dodge Nature Trail is located at Snell-Crawford Park at its southern end on Williams Drive.
This trail has been extended all the way to Badger IA. Everything North of 170th street is nice new 10 foot wide concrete, they have done a great job of updating the old trail and bridges.
Walked the first section of the trail with our dog. Met a few bikes, a runner and a couple of walkers. Pleasant, well-maintained. Crossed three low railroad bridges; saw 2 deer in the creek below. Lovely place to spend a few hours.
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