Did you know that March 30th is National Take a Walk in the Park Day? When you consider that late March/early April seems to be the time of the year that Iowa is finally defrosting and getting warmer, it seems like the perfect time for this to fall in. Luckily the Cedar Rapids area has many wonderful walking trails and parks to discover on this day, and really any other day of the year!
Below is the information for nearby walking trails, including the type of path, length, and location.
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Lake Loop Trail
Length: 1.6 miles
Path type: paved
Other info: This trail loops around Cedar Lake. Parking access is found on Shaver Road NE. There are shelters available, along with benches and bike racks.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Length: 12.6 miles
Path type: paved
Other info: Situated near Cedar Lake and the Cedar River, there is plenty to see. The trail itself is 10 feet wide, which also makes it great for strollers, bikes, and skating. Parking can be found at Tait Cummins Park on C Street SW, Werner Ave, and at McLoud Run Place.
Cherokee Trail
Length: 1 mile
Path type: crushed rock
Other info: Parking is available along Midway Drive, which is on the north side of the trail. This is off Johnson Ave, between Edgewood Road and Wiley Boulevard NW. The trail contains fitness stations.
Ellis Trail
Length: 2.6 miles
Path type: paved
Other info: Located on the Cedar River and follows Robbins Lake. This trail is 10 feet wide, except in a few sections. Great for strollers and bikes. You can view the river and Ellis Boat Harbor along the trail.
Noelridge Park Trail
Length: .8 mile
Path type: paved
Other info: While it is a shorter trail, it is popular with easy access to playgrounds. It also is near the Noelridge Park Flower Gardens, which is great for late spring and summer walks.
Prairie Park Fishery Loop Trail
Length: 1.7 miles
Path type: paved
Other info: This loops around Prairie Park Lake out at Otis Road SE. Lots of birth and wildlife watching. There is parking lot access at the fishery parking lot.
Sac and Fox Trail
Length: 7.2
Path type: crushed rock
Other info: The trail follows the Cedar River and Indian Creek. The Indian Creek Nature Center is found midway on the trail. There are many access points, many with parking along the trail. This is also one of the few trails in the area that allow for equestrian use. It’s also one of the oldest recreation trails in Iowa!
Marion
Boyson Trail
Length: 2.4 miles
Path type: crushed rock
Other info: Follows Indian Creek and has access to different playgrounds. Along this trail is also the newer Hanna Park Fitness trail which features outdoor exercise equipment for public use.
Gill Park Trail
Length: .28 mile
Path type: paved
Other info: This trail loops around Gill Park. Access to a playgroup and a splash pad in the summer. Parking is offered in two different spots near the park.
Grant Wood Trail
Length: 1.69 miles/ additional access to another 2.83 miles
Path type: paved/crushed rock
Other info: This is a paved trail that starts just west of Highway 13 and ends at Waldo’s Rock Park. There is also access to another trail that is crushed rock to Oxley Road in Linn County.
Krumbholtz Trail
Length: .75 mile
Path type: paved
Other info: This trail starts at Thomas Park and goes to Grand Avenue. Access to a splash pad in warmer months and a playground.
Lindale Trail
Length: 1 mile
Path type: paved/crushed rock
Other info: The paved section of the trail is from C Ave east to Lindale drive. There is then a crushed rock section that goes from Lindale Drive to Indian Creek. Lots of wooded areas to walk through and see.
Lowe Park Trail
Length: 1.25 miles
Path type: paved
Other info: This trail runs between 10th Street and the Oak Ridge Middle School parking lot. A favorite for a lot of families to walk on with strollers.
Lowe Park Art Trail
Length: N/A
Path type: paved
Other info: This is a shorter trail in Lowe park, but there is a lot to see. The trail winds through the art sculptures in Lowe Park and goes behind the Klopefenstein Amphitheater for the Performing Arts. There is access also to a playground.
Other Nearby Linn County Trails
Morgan Creek Trail
Length: 1 mile
Path type: paved
Other info: This connects to the south end of the Cherokee Trail in Cedar Rapids and ends at Worcester Road. The trail has a new bridge, has wetlands to view, and also goes through an arboretum. Work to add additional sections to the trail will begin in 2023.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Length: 6 miles
Path type: paved
Other info: This connects to the Cedar Valley Trail that was mentioned above in the Cedar Rapids section. This particular part of the trail goes from Center Point through Urbana.
Are any of these trails your favorites to travel? Any that we missed and you would recommend?
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