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Running trails in Iowa
354 trails across 57 cities in Iowa, with the most in Dubuque, Ankeny, and Des Moines — including 60 paved, 17 loops, 48 shaded, and 22 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the Iowa trails below.
Cities in Iowa
Every city and town in Iowa with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
- Dubuque
- Ankeny
- Des Moines
- Cedar Rapids
- West Des Moines
- Ames
- Iowa City
- Davenport
- Indianola
- Sioux City
- Fort Dodge
- Johnston
- Mason City
- Burlington
- Cedar Falls
- Marshalltown
- Waterloo
- Marion
- Boone
- Coralville
- Muscatine
- Bettendorf
- Urbandale
- Pleasant Hill
- Spencer
- Waukee
- Altoona
- Clinton
- Council Bluffs
- North Liberty
- Oskaloosa
- Ottumwa
- Pella
- Waverly
- Carroll
- Norwalk
- Solon
- Storm Lake
- Clive
- Grimes
- Le Mars
- Newton
- Polk City
- Brandon
- Carlisle
- Elk Run Heights
- Hiawatha
- Janesville
- Keomah Village
- Le Claire
- Lehigh
- Madrid
- Maxwell
- Palo
- Prairie City
- Riverdale
- Webster City
Notable running trails in Iowa
The Iowa trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-Iowa ranking →
Raccoon River Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,650 reviews
Large sports & recreation venue with athletic fields, a swimming beach, fishing pier & nature trail.
Gray's Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,410 reviews
167-acre park featuring a 1.9-mi. lighted walking path around a lake with small boat rentals.
Lake Macbride State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,042 reviews
Swimming, fishing & boat rentals on an 812-acre lake plus trails, camping & picnic sites.
Thomas Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,516 reviews
Disc golf, an ice rink, splash pad, sledding hill & other activities are the draw at this busy park.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,349 reviews
Park with a fishing lake, hiking & biking trails, picnic shelter & wetlands for bird-watching.
Wildcat Den State Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,343 reviews
Bluff- & creek-lined hiking trails, a historic grist mill, picnic shelters & primitive campgrounds.
Eagle Point Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,209 reviews
This 164-acre park features tri-state & Mississippi River views, plus playgrounds & a band shell.
Big Creek State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,116 reviews
Beach, lake, and stream-lined park, offering trails, playgrounds, Frisbee golf and shelters.
Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,154 reviews
Public park with a naturalistic wetland & forest as well as sports facilities & a playground.
East Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,059 reviews
Community park with tennis and basketball courts, a playground, disc golf, and a bandshell.
Eagle Point Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,028 reviews
Park with bluffs overlooking the river, plus a historic lodge & castle turret open for stair climbs.
George Wyth State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,043 reviews
Multiple lakes for boating, fishing & windsurfing plus multi-use woodland trails, campsites & more.
Riverside Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 991 reviews
Long-running public park with soccer/baseball fields, a swimming pool, picnic shelters & BBQs.
Lake Ahquabi State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 980 reviews
Spacious campground, boat rentals, fishing, sandy beach & trails featured in a 770-acre preserve.
Crapo Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 876 reviews
85-acre park with a lake, arboretum & botanical garden, plus a bandshell with summer concerts.
Ewing Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 863 reviews
Spacious park with playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course, a pond & a lilac arboretum.
Stone State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 852 reviews
Nature reserve with hiking/biking trails, fishing & boating, camping & cabins, nature center & more.
Centennial Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 883 reviews
250-acre green space with riverside trails & gazebos, plus athletic courts, dog area & a skate park.
Lewis and Clark Park & Monument
4.7 ★★★★★ 813 reviews
Sweeping overlook & monument commemorating the expedition's meeting with Oto and Missouria Indians.
Yellow Banks Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 827 reviews
Large park providing scenic bluff views, camping, hiking, fishing & a Native American burial mound.
Indian Creek Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 775 reviews
Nature preserve with scenic trails & educational events, plus a sustainable building with exhibits.
Walnut Woods State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 804 reviews
260-acre nature reserve with trails, camping, river boating & fishing & a 1930s lodge for rentals.
Weed Park Maintenance Shop
4.6 ★★★★★ 782 reviews
72-acre park with an aquatic center, lagoon, 10 lit tennis courts, rose gardens & playing fields.
Brookside Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 755 reviews
Recreational green space featuring volleyball & tennis courts, ball fields & a wading pool.
Inis Grove Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 717 reviews
Large recreation area with basketball & tennis courts, picnic pavilions, playgrounds & trails.
Copper Creek Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 652 reviews
Large park with a lake for fishing & boating, a playground, a picnic/grill pavilion & forest trails.
Kennedy Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 650 reviews
Camping is popular at this 400-acre natural area with hiking trails & a lake for fishing & swimming.
Riverside Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 632 reviews
Popular green space along the Mississippi River featuring boat docks, playgrounds, a fountain and more.
Dolliver Memorial State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 573 reviews
State park featuring hiking trails, fishing, cabins, swimming, camping, and picnic areas.
No trails match those filters.
Iowa trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in Iowa
- Best running trails in Iowa — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 17 in Iowa come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 22 in Iowa are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 48 in Iowa keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 38 in Iowa have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 180 in Iowa, and 96 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 151 in Iowa have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 90 in Iowa you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 82 in Iowa are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 162 in Iowa runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in Iowa
- Trails with Restrooms
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Shaded Running Trails
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Long-Run Trails (5+ Miles)
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Trails with Mile Markers