Shaulis Road Trail

The Shaulis Road Trail is a ten-foot wide concrete trail that runs along the side of Shaulis Road in the sparsely populated southern edge of Waterloo, IA. The trails runs over gentle, rolling hills, passing through large swaths of farmland and a few scattered residential areas. The western end of the trail forms a junction with the Sergeant Road Trail and the nearby Cedar Prairie Trail, providing trail access into both Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Currently, the Shaulis Road Trail helps to connect the trail network with several local parks and destinations like a water park and casino, but the city is actively working on extending the trail east to connect with the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, forming a crucial link in the area trail network and creating a large trail loop around the southern half of Waterloo.

Starting in the west, the trail begins just across the busy highway from the Sergeant Road Trail - an activatable crossing light helps alert cars, but exercise caution as there is no traffic light at the intersection. The trail passes along the edge of Prairie Grove Park, which hosts picnic and play areas, as well as restrooms and drinking fountains. Continuing past the park-adjacent neighborhood, the landscape opens up into rolling farmland - flanked by fields of corn and the roadway, there is no shade to be had on the trail, so make sure you come prepared with sunscreen! The trail comes to an end at Isle of Capri Boulevard, which leads into a casino and hotel; just before the road is the entrance to the Lost Island Water Park, a popular destination on hot summer days. Once the planned extension is completed you will be able to continue onward to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and on into Evansdale along the scenic Cedar River.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking and restrooms are available at Prairie Grove Park near the western end of the trail, on W 4th St. just off of Shaulis Road. The park is easily accessible from US Highway 63, taking the highway and then turning east on Shaulis Road - 4th Street will be on your left in about a half-mile. Additional parking is available at the city's South Hills Golf Course, off of Shaulis Road just west of Hess Road.