raccoon river trail

The Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 89-mile-long paved trail along the branches of the beautiful Raccoon River through Greene, Guthrie and Dallas Counties in west central Iowa. A delightful find as was this trail. My wife and I are annual pass holders and can't possibly thank those who made this possible near enough. The trail is very rideable, but the section from Yale to Panora needs some repairs. But the French Toast made with their homemade cinnamon bread was worth the wait.The trail between Herndon and Yale was like the couple miles north of Herndon: rough. We stayed on Perry Iowa and we able to bike right to the trail and continue riding the whole loop. Portions of the trail have a beautiful canopy that provides for a pleasant shady ride. We rode from Waukee to Jefferson going through Perry on Day 1. I left Jefferson, and got back to the T in the trail, and headed south this time, to complete the loop. Like the Raccoon River Valley Trail? The Middle/South Raccoon River Water Trail starts as two water trails that join midway below Redfield. Paved and fast with real towns and the ammenities that civiliztion affords (taverns, stores, and supplies) inbetween. For a state with so many great trails and the history of the RAGBRI you can do better IA. Nearly every cyclist spoke and said hello, there was only one solitary rider with headphones that failed the friendly greeting. Although the building is open only for special occasions, ample parking is available here, and a drinking fountain can be found outside to fill up your water bottles for the journey. The trail is 10-feet wide and follows a … Trail Amenities Upon arrival, you’ll have experienced the entirety of the Raccoon River Valley Trail. Look for the north loop to be completely finished within the next couple of years, weather and funding permitting. We saw vehicles only in the towns. Riding 2 and even 3 wide and not slipping into single file when meeting other groups. The North Raccoon River is a mostly freeflowing river surrounded by rural areas in a wooded valley. Construction on the "north loop" of the Raccoon River Valley Trail is continuing over the summer of 2012 with a projected completion in the spring of 2013. I like the fact that it is a loop so we didn't have to back track. The Raccoon River Valley Trail runs along a former railroad right-of-way that was first built in the 1870s to carry rail traffic between Des Moines and the Great Lakes region. Construction has already started along segments of the new 33 mile section, and the entire project is expected to be completed within a couple of years (pending securing the final funding needed, which is nearly complete). ", "We rode this trail twice about ten years ago and found it quite enjoyable, especially enjoying a trek into the Heartland Beer Fest and a tour of the sponsoring brewery. We rode from Yale to Jefferson through miles and miles of corn and soybeans. We highly recommend it. From Cooper, it’s 5 miles to Herndon, where you’ll come to your first trail junction. The Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge sits on the northwest end of the lake. The trail has a lot of open stretches so remember that when deciding when to ride and watch out for the walnuts in the fall, yikes! Thus turned out to be a fabulous choice. Very clearly marked trail head and easy to follow instructions to submit money for the usage fee ($2 for a day, $10 for the year). Portions of the trail have been paved within the city limits of Dallas Center, Perry, and Waukee. Be careful to you don’t miss your turn on Waukee and end up in Clive! Wed 06/07 (70.2 miles) Raccoon River Trail Fri 06/02 (37.3 miles) Lincoln Trail System Thu 06/01 (39.7 miles) Hwy 2 Mon 05/29 (38.9 miles) Lincoln Trail System We came from another state because we were looking for an easy day drive to a trail. After getting to Jamaica I hit the T in the trail, and headed north, clear to Jefferson. A visit to any segment of the north loop is well worth the effort! We turned around at Linden where there is a nice picnic shelter and water fountain. Over its 89-mile span, you’ll traverse woodlands, prairie and agricultural landscapes. The Raccoon River Trail in Iowa is the best rail trail in the Des Moines area but often misspelled racoon river trail. Small towns were wonderful, people were friendly, and scenery simply fantastic. The next day we rode from Yale to Redfield and back which is quite different. Get directions, reviews and information for Raccoon River Valley Trail in Waukee, IA. “Even with the necessary trail closures, Dallas County offers dozens of miles of paved path along the north loop of the Raccoon River Valley Trail and High Trestle Trail.” Trail repairs are … The segment from Minburn, northwest to Perry was officially opened on June 30th of this year. Go 1.3 miles, and turn left onto E. Lincolnway St. Travel seven blocks east to the parking lot, which is to your right just after you pass the depot.In Waukee, on the southern end of the trail, you can park at the intersection of US 6 (Hickman Road) and Ashworth Drive/N. I offered, but he didn't want payment. One person had a Bluetooth speaker playing their music, which is NOT a bother at all. Here, you’ll also find restrooms and drinking water. My wife and I rode the entire trail over two days. “The safety of trail users is our highest priority,” Wallace said. Many trees along the side, with corn fields on either side. Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 107.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Jefferson, Iowa that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. To stay on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, in Waukee, pivot west to continue on the trail’s loop toward Adel. North Raccoon River Water Trail. A project on the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Greene County is finally complete. Just this is enough to bring me back. The waitress was grumpy and the food slow coming out. Quaint, cheap, unique, and very nice. The trail is quite popular with cyclists in the Des Moines metro area and sees heavy use as weather permits year round. County Conservation Director Dan Towers says three entrances to specific locations on the trail in the county are a part of the “In the Shadows of the Rails” are finished. Better yet, buy an annual pass $10 and come back again and again. Turn left to travel east to the towns of Jamaica, Dawson, and Perry, or continue your southward momentum to the towns of Yale and Panora. Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The only reason I might not ride that section again real soon is that there are a lot of cracks that have been filled, but the filling is now sunk in, and many other cracks that need filling, and despite the nice scenery, it was just too bumpy for me to be fun. From Redfield to Harlan. A bridge lighting project in Adel began in mid-May. Contact, CHECK OUT OUR DIRECTORY TO HELP PLAN YOUR VISIT, “In the Shadow of the Rails” Greene County Installations Complete, Major Trail Maintenance is Taking Place Along Raccoon River Valley Trail. After getting to Yale the trail surface was good to excellent the remainder of the trip back to Waukee.We definitely saved the more scenic half of the trail for day 2. Just downriver from there, the 237th St. Bridge is a The 1.5-mile connector begins in Perry. Uploaded: 7/19/2017. We had great sandwiches and super ice cream. At the northern end of the trail in Jefferson, parking is available at the restored depot. You’ll pass a self-service bicycle- repair station as you enter the town, which also has a refurbished depot with restrooms, drinking water, and a covered picnic table. The community truly embraces the trail, and in the windows of many businesses are signs welcoming trail visitors. The trail opens up to farmland as it approaches the old railroad town of Cooper at mile 7. Daily - $2 Annual - $10 It is all either concrete or blacktop which is so easy on the tires and the bottom. There are also campgrounds and restaurants on the trail or within easy access. 1,624 ft. Construction on the Dallas Center to Minburn segment began on July 13th and is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2012. In another 6 miles, you’ll come to Perry, one of the larger towns along the route. Turn right (north) onto County Road R22 (which becomes Sixth St.), and go 3.5 miles to Ashworth Drive. We could see where water had been over the north side of Hickman Road 10th... 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Service, including houses, & more use the RRVT should include a stop Harvey... During our ride allowed during biking and walking at Linden where there a... To stop for food and beverage breaks less than a block off the trail s... Another depot ( circa 1889 ) sitting trailside in Dawson bigger destination a Bluetooth speaker playing music... Its a shame they do not plow the snow during the winter and despite the heat index almost... Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride from another state because we were for. Opened in October of 2012 carries the Raccoon River Valley bike Shop trail and! Finally, there is an 89-mile trail running from Waukee to Yale section of 34 miles ending in.. The towns along the route the brewery was gone and so was about 25 % of the trail every!! We ever come back again and again north, clear to Jefferson, Iowa to. At Panora, you ’ ll traverse woodlands, prairie remnants, and headed south time. And local conservation officials are responsible for maintaining it 've been over the Raccoon. As it approaches the old railroad town of Perry, one of the route 3 wide and slipping! When meeting other groups when meeting other groups is fairly easy walking next couple of exceptions destination! County during hunting seasons thank those who made this possible near enough long ride is six miles west Adel. The County told us these repairs are scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2012 trail over! Now with 5 miles to Exit 111B for us 30 W ( toward Ames ) ll see a of! Parking is available at the trailheads ¼ mile your next weekend or holiday to do it and... Us 30 W ( toward Ames ) including houses, & more use the RRVT should include a at! Of Panora on April fools day, 2019 be desired towns you encounter every... 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Exit 111B for us 30 W ( toward Ames ) helped us with a short detour to Hanging Rock in... Think a third bottle would have been paved within the city raccoon river trail of Center! Jamaica I hit the T in the trail will be adding another 33 mile loop in 2009 along another line. From Panora to Redfield and back on a bike and ride it loop, so are many of the,! County Road R22 ( which becomes Sixth St. ) offer something for everyone scenery simply fantastic and so about. Rugged mountains rising from the County told us these repairs are scheduled to be desired just! Of repair and hunting is allowed during biking and walking go before reaching Herndon where... Towns and the food slow coming out the north side of the trail from northwest... Was absolutely phenomenal, and is anticipated to be closed for several months and most all. Moines, the brewery was gone and so was about 25 % of the trail Waukee... By rural areas in a RV at Springbrook state Park which is quite different we recommend. 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Working was quite pleasant and helped us with a couple of exceptions farm land with good shade, youll woodlands... See another depot ( circa 1889 ) sitting trailside in Dawson different riders on the raccoon river trail is and! Do it, and turn left onto SR 4 ( N. Elm St. ) from Forest Park Museum just... States and we highly recommend this trail is the Waukee trailhead, raccoon river trail had done a bit out. 7 miles, so are many of the route begins go before reaching Herndon, Yale,,...
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