HomeIowaWaverly › Babcock Woods

Babcock Woods

4.9 ★★★★★ 14 Google reviews · Running trail in Waverly, Iowa · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Babcock Woods' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

LoopQuiet

What runners say about Babcock Woods

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (14 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Babcock woods is a very lovely, well maintained park, with nice wide walking trails, beautiful woods and wildflowers.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Babcock woods is a very lovely, well maintained park, with nice wide walking trails, beautiful woods and wildflowers.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Normally quiet and peaceful.”

I had a doctor's appointment in Waverly, so I looked for a nearby park with woods to check out while i was there. I was pleasantly surprised. Babcock woods is a very lovely, well maintained park, with nice wide walking trails, beautiful woods and wildflowers. I saw plenty of Cardinals and wildlife.

★★★★★ — Ellie , May 2026

Nicely maintained trail through forest and additional loop in grass/prairie area. May need to use bug spray depending on season. Normally quiet and peaceful.

★★★★★ — Steve , Jul 2023

well maintained and plenty of shade and sun on trails. quiet and nice! trails loop back for a quick 30 minutes in the afternoon or evening!

★★★★☆ — Edward , Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 14 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Normally quiet and peaceful.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“Nicely maintained trail through forest and additional loop in grass/prairie area.”

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Plan your run at Babcock Woods

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitebremercounty.iowa.gov

Hours

Monday 8 am–4:30 pm
Tuesday 8 am–4:30 pm
Wednesday 8 am–4:30 pm
Thursday 8 am–4:30 pm
Friday 8 am–4:30 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Babcock Woods

1701 18th Ave SE, Waverly, IA 50677

Get directions

Running trails near Waverly

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Ingawanis Woodlands Mountain Bike Trail head

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LoopNatural surface

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Cedar Bend County Park

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Wooded park with a campground and a canoe launch, plus trails for hiking and walking.

4.6 miles away

Black Hawk Park

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Rustic 1,490-acre green space with campgrounds & river access, plus a popular gun & archery range.

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Big Woods Lake Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 394 reviews

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PavedScenic

Lake with opportunities for disc golf, picnicking, and fishing, plus paved bike trails and a kid-friendly hike.

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All running trails in Waverly, IA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.