The Fort Dodge Nature Trail begins at the city's Snell-Crawford Park and runs northeast for nearly 3 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.

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.

Parking and Trail Access

The sole parking lot for the Fort Dodge Nature Trail is located at Snell-Crawford Park at its southern end on Williams Drive.

Soldier Creek Nature Trail

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Accordion

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