Parking, restrooms and water are available in Keota, West Chester, and in Washington at Sunset Park, which is connected to the east end of the trail by the quarter-mile, asphalt-surfaced Sesquicentennial Way.
I ride trails in Kansas City, have ridden on portions of The Katy Trail, etc. this trail isn’t in as good of shape as The Katy Trail but it was good enough to have a great ride! I rode from Keota to Washington. The first day was a day after a storm and there were branches, vegetation and some mud spots. All part of a nature trail bike ride. The next day most of the vegetation, branches, etc were cleared. The trail was dried up and it was very good. It is mostly flat with small inclines and declines. Great ride!
Nice gravel and dirt trail, flat grade. First half between Washington and West Chester often under trees lining the trail. Freshly laid gravel in first 3-4 miles outside Washington was a bit thick at times and bogged me down even with 700x38 tires meant for such trails. Main objection is lack of services outside Washington, particularly water. West Chester has very nice trail side park, but no water. Pump behind the shelter but it was off and this was early June. Trail end in Keota was disappointing and ugly, ending confusingly in the middle of a co-op, tho nice golf course next door. If any facilities nearby I didn't see them. Two bottles of water and ran out at last 7 miles of return trip, so may want to take three if riding full trail round trip. Overall nice scenery and worth the trip.
My wife and I rode the entire length of the Kewash trail from Washington to Keota and back. The paved section was a little bumpy in places but not too bad. Would have been better if it had been swept of leaves and sticks. Once on the unpaved section it was a lot smoother though a good game of "pick up sticks" would have made it much better. There were places where if it was wet it could have caused us some grief but only had to walk one short section which was sort of steep with a little mud. Maybe 20 or 30 feet with a 6 foot section of mud with a gravel path to walk through. Someone braver than me probably could ride right through it. Not trying to scare anyone,the trail is not perfect but we had a great time really enjoyed ourselves and will definitely ride it again.By the way, we both rode on 23mm tires and had no problems.
We rode this trail from Washington to West Chester and had a great time. When one is on this trail there will be no doubt that you're in Iowa. There's a really nice little part just off the trail in West Chester that is great for a snack break.
"The portion of the trail that runs from Washington to Highway 92 is very nice with regards to the surface and the scenery. However, the portion of the trail that runs from 92 to Keota is a mess. It is overgrown and very bumpy.
I wish it was in better shape, it's very nice country."
"Trailhead in Keota located near a cafe/service station. My impression of the trail surface was that this trail had been forgotten. I was on a touring bike while my wife rode her racer. Fortunately, the surface was dry or we would have been muddy. Its a pleasant ride to Washington and we did cross paths with other trail users. Somewhere I have a photo of pigs near this trail. Lots of canopy. Its the trail that Iowa forgot, that's its charm."
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