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Explore the beauty along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway on these fun and scenic bike trails!
The Thursday Night Taco Ride on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail is on the bucket list of things to do in the Loess Hills. The 62-mile rail trail is one of Iowa's premier trails. For mountain bikers, Cone Park in Sioux City has new, award-winning trails that are free to the public. In Council Bluffs, advanced riders can test their skills at Lewis and Clark Monument Park. Read more below for more fun and scenic bike trails in western Iowa's globally unique Loess Hills landform. Plan your road trip on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway using the Explore the Byway page. |
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Wabash Trace Nature Trail
Photo: Golden Hills RC&D
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The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is one of Iowa's premier trails. Stretching more than 62 miles through southwest Iowa, the Wabash Trace is a converted railroad right-of-way that runs from Council Bluffs on the north to Blanchard on the Iowa/Missouri border.
Accessible from the numerous towns the trail passes through, the Wabash Trace offers a journey through the scenic Iowa countryside. From wide-open farm fields flowing with nature's abundant harvest to the picturesque Loess Hills of western Iowa, visitors to the Wabash Trace will find their journey on the trail a memorable experience. The Thursday Night Taco Ride from Council Bluffs to Mineola is on the bucket list of things to do in the Loess Hills! |
Cone Park Sioux City
Photo: Cone Park Sioux City
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With over 10.5 miles of mountain bike trails, Cone Park offers something for every ability level, from tot tracks, to comfortable beginner trails, all the way up to expert jump lines and technical trails.
FREE to use the trails! The only costs come from optional lift pass or bike rentals. Park amenities include a lodge where you can cool off, get some food, and ice cream, or have a beer after a day of riding. Bike rentals are available during operating hours. A 500-foot carpet lift eliminates most uphill riding and serves green, blue, and black trails. Flow Trail includes features like rock gardens, berms, rollers and jumps. There are optional advanced features along the side of the trail to provide challenges for intermediate and advanced riders. |
Lewis and Clark Monument Park
Photo: Sandra0JSLGX (TrailForks)
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Lewis and Clark Monument Park is home to the Lewis and Clark Monument and offers spectacular views of Big Lake Park, Eppley Airfield, and the Omaha skyline.
Lewis and Clark Park amenities include hiking trails, mountain biking trails, picnic areas, restrooms, and a plaza with an overlook. Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) maintains the mountain bike trails. This is a great trail system to practice your technical skills as well as test your fitness. Lewis & Clark is the most technical and feature-rich trail system in the area with relatively significant elevation. The final singletrack climb out is steep, but there are plenty of shortcuts in and out of the park as well as internal loops and lines. |
Hillview Recreation Area
Photo: Matt Lindberg (MTB Project)
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Hillview Recreation Area has a series of trails that can be a short loop or can be stitched together to take a long walk through the park. Trails wind through oak forests, prairies, and around the pond. The trails are a great places to observe the abundant wildlife in the park.
For a workout that will test your will, try out our mountain bike trail! More than two miles of single-track trails for hiking or biking. No horses are allowed on this trail. The trail starts west of the picnic shelter. No matter which way you ride, you end your ride on an uphill climb. |
Railroad Highway Trail
Photo: Jeff Funk
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In 2023, the first phase of the Railroad Highway Trail was completed from Smith Wildlife Area northeast of Council Bluffs to Weston. This trail is planned to extend south into Council Bluffs as well as north to Underwood and Neola within the next few years.
The 3.5-mile concrete trail runs through gently undulating farmland just outside of Council Bluffs. The trails sits within the corridor of Railroad Highway, but is separated from the road. A small parking lot is available on the southern end of the trail by the Smith Wildlife Refuge (off Railroad Highway, just north of Husker Lane). |
Three more for the road . . .
Bacon Creek Park6.5 miles of single-track loop around pond.
Photo: Michael Fruncillo (All Trails)
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Lewis and Clark TrailPrimarily on-road but includes off-road trails.
Photo: Golden Hills RC&D
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Lake Manawa State Park
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Looped trails on south side of park.
Photo: Brian Bray (All Trails)
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