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McVay/Summerset Trail Head
4.8 ★★★★★ 32 Google reviews · Running trail in Indianola, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from McVay/Summerset Trail Head's 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.
What runners say about McVay/Summerset Trail Head
“There is a clean bathroom where and I can fill my water bottle for the ride back to Indianola.”
“I have ridden my bike on this beautiful trail from Indianola to Carlisle many times over the past 4 years.”
“This is the convenient starting point with shade and a restroom for a walk, run or bike ride.”
This is the convenient starting point with shade and a restroom for a walk, run or bike ride. I have ridden my bike on this beautiful trail from Indianola to Carlisle many times over the past 4 years. There is more shade now, but unfortunately there are a fair amount trail that needs replacement or repairs.
Makes me wish we had trails like this back home. I came to town for the ballon race and figured i would be riding gravel roads so I brought my gravel bike, next time i am bringing my road bike.
Love all the shade on much of the trail. Some parts of the trail could use some repair, but overall a great place to walk
Great trail system! I'm from out of state but had to kill a few hours. I stumbled on the trail just walking around and followed it. It was a very pleasant walk with nice features (woods, bridges, benches, restroom & pavilion, etc).
Trail conditions & character
“This is the convenient starting point with shade and a restroom for a walk, run or bike ride.”
“I have ridden my bike on this beautiful trail from Indianola to Carlisle many times over the past 4 years.”
“It was a very pleasant walk with nice features (woods, bridges, benches, restroom & pavilion, etc).”
“I came to town for the ballon race and figured i would be riding gravel roads so I brought my gravel bike, next time i am bringing my road bike.”
“Much better when the the restrooms are open and the water fountain is on.”
Plan your run at McVay/Summerset Trail Head
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteindianolaiowa.gov
- Phone+1 515-961-9420
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Indianola
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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McCord Park
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