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Raccoon River Valley Trailhead
4.9 ★★★★★ 94 Google reviews · Running trail in Waukee, Iowa · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- 89 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Raccoon River Valley Trailhead'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.
Park with trails that's popular for cycling, featuring picnic tables and a restroom.
What runners say about Raccoon River Valley Trailhead
“Clean trail, super safe and green scenery for the ride.”
Out and back for a total of 10 miles running on a rainy Saturday morning. We didn’t even scratch the surface of all this trail has to offer. Great trail for running, biking, etc. lots of places to stop for food and drinks along the way. Kinship brewery and The Handle Bar are a couple favorites.
This a great start to many exercising adventures. During the warm months it has nice water fountains, and I believe the bathrooms are mostly open year-round. this is one of the key trail head because you can start and go to Adel or to Dallas Center.
One of my favorite local trails! You can take the Clive green belt trail all the way from downtown Des Moines to this Trailhead and enjoy a nicely paved mellow 70 mile loop through some pretty awesome little towns!
The trail from Waukee to parry is straight and flat, and smooth. We ate at Lou's dinner in Parry. About a mile east of the trail head, very nice.
Trail conditions & character
“The Waukee Trailhead towards the new public safety building is strewn with building debris, likely from the construction.”
“During the warm months it has nice water fountains, and I believe the bathrooms are mostly open year-round.”
“Open sections smooth concrete pavement and shaded areas w trees though some tougher trail older asphalt trail .”
“Awesome Trail, Mostly Flat, Mostly Straight, Bathrooms, Parking, Water Fountains.”
“Great place to hop on a bike trail for either a short ride or do the loop for 70 miles.”
“Great place to hop on a bike trail for either a short ride or do the loop for 70 miles.”
“During the warm months it has nice water fountains, and I believe the bathrooms are mostly open year-round.”
Plan your run at Raccoon River Valley Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Loop distance89 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websiteraccoonrivervalleytrail.org
- Phone+1 515-465-3577
- Social Instagram
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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