Home › Iowa › Le Claire › Smith Island Nature Trail
Smith Island Nature Trail
4.2 ★★★★☆ 48 Google reviews · Running trail in Le Claire, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Smith Island Nature Trail'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 Smith Island Nature Trail
“Sewer smell and not well maintained.”
“You get great views of the LeClaire pool off the Mississippi behind the lock, plus great views of the main channel of the river itself.”
“If you want an easy hike with kids, the whole trail is maybe a mile loop.”
No real trail once you enter the "trail". However, I walked along the beach and trees and had a wonderful Mississippi walk. Very peaceful, minus the garbage left behind from people who have hung out there previously. But a short little, easy walk. I LOVE the driftwood and downed trees.
A bit of a walk to get here, but it's worth it. The trail is casual and easy to get around. Signs are old and need to be updated.
Weird to find parking and the. Walk along the water before finding the trail itself. The maps and fact boards are old and some can’t be read. But the place was BEAUTIFUL! Such an each relaxing walk. The family really enjoyed it.
If you want an easy hike with kids, the whole trail is maybe a mile loop. You get great views of the LeClaire pool off the Mississippi behind the lock, plus great views of the main channel of the river itself. There is a spot to fish from off a bridge at the head of the trail, plus a public restroom with running water.
Trail conditions & character
“You get great views of the LeClaire pool off the Mississippi behind the lock, plus great views of the main channel of the river itself.”
“If you want an easy hike with kids, the whole trail is maybe a mile loop.”
Plan your run at Smith Island Nature Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websiteqctrails.org
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9:30 PM |
Running trails near Le Claire
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Illiniwek Forest Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 577 reviews
Riverside park with trails for hiking and biking, a lookout, and a campground.
Illiniwek MTB Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 14 reviews
Pigeon Creek Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 55 reviews
Park offering kid-friendly hiking trails and a public restroom.
Empire Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 322 reviews
Riverside park featuring shelters and a disc golf course, plus a playground for kids.
Forest Grove Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 165 reviews
Clean open-air space where families can picnic and kids can romp at the playground.