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Print Friendly MapClosure Notice: The Clive Greenbelt Trail is closed eastward from Campbell Park until October 2025.
While Greater Des Moines is flush with multiuse trails, the 7.9-mile Clive Greenbelt Trail really stands out. Offering a string of trailside parks and fun twists and turns as it follows scenic Walnut Creek, the Clive Greenbelt Trail is a popular local amenity that’s worth a visit if you’re traveling in the area.
About the Route
A note of caution when starting on the western end of the trail: When arriving at Northwest 142nd Street (after 1.6 miles of riding), things get a little confusing; trail users will be riding on what feels like a sidewalk along Lakeview Drive and then on an on-road stretch on Country Club Boulevard, all while following occasional bike route signs, but not much else in terms of way-finding. Locals may appreciate the trail’s presence here, but visitors may prefer to start farther east at the Campbell Recreation Area, where the trail immediately dives into woodlands, and you can easily see why it’s called the “Greenbelt.”
The lush border of trees gives you the feeling of being away from it all, while restaurants, stores, and other businesses are positioned within easy reach of the pathway. Numerous well-marked spurs spin off the trail to destinations such as parks, city hall, and the public library. The Greenbelt’s popularity in the community is easily felt here, as dog walkers, joggers, bikers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts can be found on the trail.
If your excursion takes place between May and September, you’re in for another visual treat. The Art Along the Trail exhibit is held annually on the Greenbelt during this time frame with six sculptures made by Iowans showcased trailside. At the end of the event, one of the pieces is selected for a permanent place in the city’s public art collection.
Connections
At the western end of the trail, trail users can connect to the Sugar Creek Trail (IA)
On its east end, the Clive Greenbelt Trail seamlessly connects to the Walnut Creek Trail.
The Clive Greenbelt Trail runs between Lions Park, 15880 Wildwood Dr. (Clive), where parking is available, and Walnut Creek Trail (Windsor Heights).
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Trail is closed from Campbell park eastward. Detour signs do not take you around the closure. Trail is closed through October 2025.
We have biked this trail and enjoyed it many times on our trips to Des Moines. Planned to bike it this time but when we arrived at the Campbell recreation area, we found out that it is closed all the way to NW 100th St. for the entirety of 2025 due to Construction on the interstate. There was no map of the detour at the recreation area, where the detour starts. There are good signs marking where the detour goes, but no indication of how far off the trail or for how long. Some of the detour is on other trails, but some of those trails go right along busy For Lane streets. I wouldn’t recommend the detour for anything but getting from one place to another, not for rec.
My son and I have been exploring g various grails around the area and this trail is beautiful!!! Highly recommended!
I definitely did not feel like i was in the city with this trail! Absolutely breathtaking.
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