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Print Friendly MapThe Mississippi River Trail in Scott County resembles the setting of a Mark Twain novel as it travels 13.5 miles along its namesake within sight of barges, riverboats, and marine-related businesses and activities. The paved trail (part of the larger 3,000-mile Mississippi River Trail system)—comprising riverfront sections in Bettendorf, East Davenport, Davenport and Riverdale—also provides a platform to enjoy the riverfront parks, festivals and music events in Davenport that have added a spark to the revitalization of the Quad Cities. In addition to connecting with the 13-mile Duck Creek Recreational Trail in Bettendorf, trail users can also link up with 62-mile Great River Trail, across the river in Illinois, which reaches Savanna.
A good place to begin your journey is in Riverdale—once famous for its dairy and large herd of Holsteins. While the eastern endpoint for the trail begins at Fenno Road and State Street, you’ll find parking about 1.4 miles west, past the industrial area of Riverdale, at State Street and South Belling-ham Street. The trailhead is tucked next to a large aluminum factory and an active rail line. In 0.4 mile, the South Kensington Road crossing affords a connection to the Duck Creek Recreation Trail.
After winding past some waterfront facilities for river commerce for nearly 2.5 miles, the trail arrives at the shoreline in Bettendorf to reveal dazzling views of the Mississippi. Punctuated by frequent benches and the occasional sightseeing pier, the smooth route takes you past the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center and the riverboat-style Isle Casino. Immediately following the casino is the grand sight of Memorial Bridge and Leach Park, which has both parking and a giant ship’s wheel overlooking the waterfront. Across the river is the Rock Island Arsenal, the largest government-owned weapons maker and former prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
About 1.5 miles downriver you’ll come to Art Park in lower Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport. The park serves as a companion site to a boat launch and yacht club. You’ll find restrooms, a playground with whimsical arches, the bronze Watching the Ferry statue from a John Bloom lithograph, and a gazebo.
The greenway then takes you under the 1896 double-decker Arsenal Bridge and the much newer pedestrian Skybridge to downtown Davenport’s waterfront at LeClaire Park. This is home to jazz and blues music festivals, as well as the colorful Rhythm City Casino and Ferris wheel. Just beyond is the Quad Cities River Bandits Minor League ballpark in Modern Woodmen Park and a large skate park in Centennial Park. Next you’ll pass the meditative Veterans Memorial Park dedicated in 2011.
The trail passes through some trees along the river and onto Credit Island, an early trading post and site of a War of 1812 battle led by future US President Zachary Taylor. You can follow a 2.6-mile loop on low-traffic Credit Island Road around the island, or enjoy the natural preserve on a 1.6-mile nature trail. The trail crosses the water at the southwest end of the Island and ends at S. Concord St.
A separate 0.8 mile-segment of riverfront trail can be found in Buffalo, 15 minutes southwest of Davenport.
To reach the eastern trailhead in Riverdale from I-74, take Exit 4, and turn onto eastbound US 67/State St. Go 2.1 miles, and turn right onto S. Bellingham St. Look for parking on the right in 0.1 mile at the BIKE PATH PARKING ONLY sign. The endpoint is located about 1.4 miles northeast along the trail at State St. and Fenno Road.
To reach the western trailhead in Davenport from I-74, take Exit 4, and turn onto westbound US 67/Grant St. Go 5.6 miles (US 67/Grant St. becomes US 67/River Drive), and turn left onto Credit Island Road. Go 0.4 mile, and look for parking on the right. The endpoint is located about 1.6 miles southwest at S. Concord St.
Lots to view while riding. One of the best trails in Eastern Iowa. Stopped at the Village for lunch with lots of eating establishments.Ann
We rode the segment from the I-74 bridge to Credit Island. The trail is in good shape and there are great views of the river most of the way. The part from I-74 to the Centennial bridge was a little crowded on a beautiful Sunday but the rest of the ride there were very few people.
Parked where I-74 crosses the river Headed west along the trail but the headwinds were so strong I turned around and went east but ended up in a warehouse district alone so came on back. A well maintained trail with lots of bikers and walkers enjoying it
We enjoyed this trail-only complaint is that there is no parking at the north trail head, and poor markings to find the actual route at this end also. It took us about 20 mins of being lost and stopping to recheck the trail route before we found our way. The beginning of the route takes you through an industrial area, leading to A nice path right along the long beautiful paved path that takes you into some pretty neighborhoods in Bettendorf and Davenport adjacent to downtown. Credit Park had recently flooded and was in pretty rough shape so you may want to skip this portion. Otherwise, thoroughly enjoyed this ride. Some small hills and curves make it just challenging enough and keep your attention. Will do this one again!
I was traveling through the Quad Cities on the way home to northwest Iowa from Indiana and had a chance to stop and ride some of the trails on both sides of the river here. Most of my riding was on the Illinois side, but I crossed the river on the Centennial Bridge, rode through downtown Davenport on this trail and then crossed the river again on the Arsenal Bridge.
So this review is only for the section of the trail between the two bridges. That said, I loved it. Downtown Davenport was vibrant and this trail was smooth, safe, easy to navigate and well signed. To see the Mississippi up close on a bike gives you a real sense for just how big and powerful it is. I loved the entire experience and will come back to ride more.
Ride the Iowa trail to Lindsey Park in Davenport,and take water taxi to Illinois. There ride the Mississippi trail west to Sunset park or east to Savanna Illinois, about 70 miles. There are 3 campgrounds on the Illinois side.
The water taxi is seasonal and daily pass ($) available.
An alternate crossing is the bridge at the Rock Island Arsenal. (HELMETS ARE REQUIRED at Arsenal)
ENJOY !
We rode from Credit Island up to and across Arsenal Bridge to the lock and dam on the Illinois side. Along the way we stopped at the Freight House brewery, a nice little area with an active farmers market and a local foods store. Then we moved on to downtown, where the Bix Festival was in full swing with a ton of food vendors and live music. The trail offered a wide variety of scenery, from the shady river bottom views around Credit Island through a little bit of prairie, through the renovated areas of the river front with nice playground areas and gazebos to the more historic areas near Davenport's East Village. The trail was paved and well maintained. Also flat and well marked. In all a very pleasant ride.
Rode trail last fall. Enjoyed the view of the river
I rode the whole trail for a mini vacation, and its a pretty decent trail. In a few places it got pretty bumpy for my road bike so I had to slow down to about 10-13 mph, but overall the trail is decent for road bikers like myself. Most of the scenery is near the beginning, the North side of the trail doesnt view the river much. The credit island part was a bit of a dissapointment, I was hoping to bike over a bridge to an actual island, but it wasnt as such. Just looked like the rest of the trail, except it was just road for both cars and bikes, not trail.
At the east end of Duck Creek Parkway, a short ride on Kensington street towards the Mississippi will lead you to a nearly completed strecth of path and a newly completed bridge across Duck Creek, which is the connection point of these two main Davenport / Bettendorf paths.
Only able to survey the Credit Island Loop, Surface in good condition. Lots of Bird Life. Was raining and moist on 14 Oct 11, Noel Keller
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