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Scenic Running Trails in Iowa
Iowa has 162 trails with scenic views in this directory, across 48 cities and towns — Dubuque, Sioux City, Des Moines, Ames and 44 more. Waterfronts, overlooks and river loops: the trails that get you out of the door.
Every one in Iowa
Use the filters to narrow these by surface, loop, distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and parking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fort Des Moines Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 582 reviews
Community recreation space with large picnic shelters, a playground & trails, plus a fishing lake.
Greenwood - Ashworth Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 565 reviews
Public recreation area with playgrounds, a splash pad & picnic shelters, plus a pond & rose garden.
Easter Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 568 reviews
Shady lakeside park featuring a beach, playgrounds, hiking and walking trails.
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
4.7 ★★★★★ 552 reviews
Grassland preserve, with walking trails and an auto tour seeing bison, elk and butterflies.
Brown's Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 551 reviews
Wildlife preserve filled with oak & hickory trees as well as trails for hiking & geocaching.
Sunderbruch Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 536 reviews
Public park featuring trails for hiking, horseback riding & biking plus picnic shelters.
Lime Creek Nature Center
4.9 ★★★★★ 507 reviews
Conservation education facility with hands-on exhibits, live animals, a library & nature trails.
Hartman Reserve Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 481 reviews
Sprawling outdoor preserve with paved & unpaved paths, scenic lakes & an interpretative center.
Sugar Bottom Recreational Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 501 reviews
Park on a sandy lake beach featuring a disc golf course and mountain biking trails.
Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 485 reviews
Park with ponds and trails good for hiking, biking and kayaking.
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 419 reviews
Composed of untamed, wooded land, this 1432-acre park offers hiking, hunting, paddling & picnicking.
Credit Island Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 455 reviews
Named as a Native American trading post, this island houses a public park with walking trails.
Starr's Cave Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 404 reviews
Park, featuring a cave and trails, along with creek access for wading.
Edmundson Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 423 reviews
Park featuring a playground with a rocket ship slide, plus a swimming pool and a dog park.
Hickory Hill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 392 reviews
Scenic forested park featuring many walking & running paths, picnic tables & grills on 185 acres.
Centennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 399 reviews
Spread-out park featuring playgrounds, boulder fields and festivals, plus a trail-lined pond.
Big Woods Lake Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 394 reviews
Lake with opportunities for disc golf, picnicking, and fishing, plus paved bike trails and a kid-friendly hike.
McHose Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 394 reviews
City park with disc golf, tennis courts, a skate park and swimming pools.
Perkins Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 374 reviews
Shaded and clean green space with a playground and a picnic area, as well as walks, for all ages.
Mosquito Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 348 reviews
Long established riverside park great for Mississippi panoramas & eagle watching.
Wildwood Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 371 reviews
Sprawling park with basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, disc golf and sledding hills. Trails offer hiking.
Deep Lakes Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 349 reviews
Former quarry boasting 120 acres of clear water lakes for swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking.
Leach Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 330 reviews
Bike-friendly park, featuring walking paths along the Mississippi River and views of the I-74 bridge.
Terra Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 321 reviews
Playground-equipped, 6-acre lake featuring trails for walking, biking and running, plus fishing.
Moore Memorial Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 310 reviews
Large city park with big shelters with electrical outlets for private events, grills & a bike path.
Lake Keomah State Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 337 reviews
Relaxed, kid-friendly spot with camping, hiking trails and lake fishing, plus beaches.
North Ridge Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 321 reviews
Playground, trails, paved path, picnic tables, swings and fountains mark this serene park.
North River Valley Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 300 reviews
Public park offering rental picnic pavilions, BBQ grills, horseshoes pits & sand volleyball courts.
Sertoma Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 295 reviews
Park featuring a playground, a pavilion, BBQ grills, a disc-golf course & restrooms.
Duck Creek Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 286 reviews
Park with shaded picnic areas & BBQ grills, plus sports fields, a playground & nearby golf course.
Chris Larsen City Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 281 reviews
Scenic park with playground structures and a splash pad, plus picnicking areas.
Cone Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 281 reviews
All-season, snow-covered hill for tubing, sledding and ice skating, plus a playground.
Pfeiffer Springs Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Riverside park with ball fields & courts, a playground, sheltered picnic tables & walking paths.
Waukee Triumph Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Sports fields and a pond for fishing accompany a sprawling playground with tall slides and a climbing area.
Haines Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 266 reviews
Laid-back outdoor space known for its picnics amid trees and slides, plus tennis and basketball courts.
Heritage Pond / Heritage Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 256 reviews
Scenic preserve featuring a pond for fishing plus trails for biking and hiking, as well as picnic tables and camping facilities.
Terra Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 255 reviews
Lakefront park with a playground, picnic shelters, and paved trail, plus fishing and kayaking.
Agnes Patterson Memorial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 253 reviews
Sprawling green space with playgrounds and ball fields (softball and baseball), as well as an arboretum and botanical garden.
Seminole Valley Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 254 reviews
This 409-acre park features a historic village & farm, a playground, a soccer field, trails & more.
Woodpecker Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 237 reviews
Scenic hiking area featuring wooded trails along Coralville Lake and the Iowa River.
Grimes Farm and Conservation Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 231 reviews
Nature, bike and hiking trails lead through a prairie and wooded landscape, as well as an observation tower.
Macbride Nature Recreation Area
4.9 ★★★★★ 225 reviews
Park featuring trails, a bird hide, archery, picnics, and a lake.
Margo Frankel Woods State Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 241 reviews
Tranquil park offering woodland hiking trails, playgrounds & sheltered picnic/BBQ sites.
Lindsay Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 229 reviews
Grassy park with a playground, a baseball/softball diamond & views of the Mississippi River.
Horseshoe Bluff Hiking Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 217 reviews
Hiking area at the base of steep bluffs offering views of the Mississippi River.
Wabash Trace Nature Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 206 reviews
Route for walking, biking and running with a crushed-limestone surface and several bridges.
Waldo's Rock Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 214 reviews
Park featuring a glacial boulder, plus a manmade pond and paved bike trail.
Bee Branch Creek Greenway
4.5 ★★★★★ 203 reviews
Linear park featuring playground equipment and paved paths, along with scenic overlooks.
Loomis Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 188 reviews
Riverfront park with picnic shelters, BBQs & horseshoe courts, plus a playground & rentable cabins.
Cherokee Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 190 reviews
Tranquil park with a gravel trail running along a creek, and picnic tables.
Gateway Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 179 reviews
Expansive park boasting a lake for swimming and fishing, plus trails for walking and biking.
Boyson Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 177 reviews
Wooded park with a trail alongside a creek to go walking and biking.
Waterworks Prairie Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 172 reviews
200-acre park with 3 mi. of paved paths around ponds & prairies, plus trailhead parking & benches.
Buxton Park Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 163 reviews
Park with benches and a fountain at the edge of a college campus, plus playground equipment.
Forest Grove Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 165 reviews
Clean open-air space where families can picnic and kids can romp at the playground.
Lakeview Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 162 reviews
Calm, natural lakeside park with trails for walking and bike riding, plus picnic spots and swings.
Lookout Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Modest grassy area overlooking the Cedar River with picnic shelters & a playground.
Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 167 reviews
Outdoor hangout featuring picnic sites, campgrounds and a boating ramp, plus a lodge.
Sycamore Trails
4.7 ★★★★★ 151 reviews
Forested place with dirt trails for cycling and a paved path, as well as scenic spots.
Greenbelt Lake
4.5 ★★★★★ 154 reviews
Relaxing lake offering paved and dirt trails, fishing and kayaking.
Daley Park & Greenbelt
4.6 ★★★★★ 145 reviews
Modest green space featuring a basketball court, a children's playground & covered picnic shelter.
Morgan Creek Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 130 reviews
Tranquil area for learning about tree species along trails or at an arboretum.
Cedar Bend County Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 135 reviews
Wooded park with a campground and a canoe launch, plus trails for hiking and walking.
Emma McCarthy Lee Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 128 reviews
Park featuring tennis courts and soccer fields, as well as a volleyball area.
Kohlmann Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 124 reviews
Riverside expanse with a playground, shelters and an amphitheater for events.
Doanes Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 125 reviews
Ample open space featuring baseball, tennis, soccer and basketball courts, plus a playground.
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 118 reviews
Indoor exhibits & classes plus a vast outdoor space with oaks, gardens, an amphitheater & wildlife.
Georgia Hanford Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 123 reviews
Scenic park with baseball fields, a playground and long walking paths, featuring numerous tree species.
Lininger Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 128 reviews
Clean play area featuring swings and slides for kids of all ages, as well as a large field for soccer games.
Latham Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 111 reviews
Established in 1937, this cozy, privately owned public park offers a fountain, gardens & benches.
Tom Harkin Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 103 reviews
Hiking and biking trails, both paved and unpaved, are offered at this trailhead.
Lowe Park Irish Dr Entrance
4.8 ★★★★★ 99 reviews
Park featuring modern playground equipment, picnic areas, a baseball field, and hiking trails.
Quail Cove Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 104 reviews
Park with a playground, basketball court, picnic areas, and a walking trail.
Schuetzen Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 101 reviews
Wooded park featuring trails for hiking, trail running and walking.
Greenbelt Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 96 reviews
Scenic trail traversing woods, creeks and bridges, along with a playground.
John G Bergfeld Recreation Area
4.5 ★★★★★ 102 reviews
Pond-front, 0.81-mile-long park showcasing a playground, a fishing jetty, a picnic shelter and wildlife viewing.
Washington Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 94 reviews
A bike trail surrounds this riverfront park with a ball field, open grassy areas & play equipment.
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
4.5 ★★★★★ 91 reviews
Country park offering a family-friendly campground, picnic sites, and opportunities for hiking and birdwatching.
Three Bridges County Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 93 reviews
Park with hiking trails and a riverside trail for fishing and boating.
Vincent Bluff State Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 86 reviews
Natural area known for hiking, picnicking, and scenic views.
Eagle Point Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 81 reviews
Scenic park with picnic areas and playgrounds, plus scenic Mississippi views.
Katoski Greenbelt
4.4 ★★★★☆ 88 reviews
Walking, biking and kayaking spot, with wooded trails and picnic areas, plus bluebells in the spring.
Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area
4.3 ★★★★☆ 90 reviews
Purple martin nesting area featuring kayak and canoe access for the lake for fishing and shore walks.
Interstate Power Company Forest Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 78 reviews
Mountain biking site, featuring intermediate trails through timberland and prairie.
Mount Trashmore Hiking and Flow Trails
4.8 ★★★★★ 78 reviews
Upland area featuring a dirt-covered heap of garbage with hiking trails for mountain bikers and walkers.
Horizon's Ridge Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 81 reviews
Family-friendly, grassy park featuring picnic spots, playground equipment, swings, a disc golf course and hiking trails.
North Hill Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 83 reviews
Riverside open space featuring playground equipment and swing sets plus picnic tables, benches and shade.
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 71 reviews
Park offering a frisbee golf course, picnic space and trails surrounding a lake.
South Ravine Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 79 reviews
Wooded green space featuring meandering hiking paths and a lake, plus the First Bride's grave.
Jackaline Baldwin Dunlap Park and Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 71 reviews
Serene area featuring trees, benches and picnic spots, plus hidden statues.
Central Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 74 reviews
Compact green space featuring bridges, picnic tables, a dog park, concerts, and a creek.
Garrison Rock Resource Management Unit
4.4 ★★★★☆ 71 reviews
Nature preserve with open fields surrounded by forest and trails, some good for kids.
Harvest Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 63 reviews
Private reserve for hiking and other outdoor recreation, showcasing sculptures.
Eagle Point Park Castle
4.7 ★★★★★ 65 reviews
Large stone structure with stairs to the top for river views, plus basketball and volleyball courts.
Riverside Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 66 reviews
Scenic park that borders the Mississippi River and offers picnic areas, walkways and fishing.
South Entrance, Mines of Spain Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 64 reviews
Park featuring a variety of trails for hiking and biking as well as picnic tables.
McLoud Run Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 59 reviews
Park with picnic tables and a playground, plus a walking trail along a stream.
Indian Creek - Sac & Fox Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 52 reviews
Popular trail for hiking, walking, and biking, traversing woods, creeks and rivers.
Sac & Fox Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 51 reviews
Hiking spot featuring forested paths with an option for walking or biking.
Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor
4.8 ★★★★★ 49 reviews
Ecological park at Iowa State University Research Park with trails, ponds, and picnicking.
Pigeon Creek Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 55 reviews
Park offering kid-friendly hiking trails and a public restroom.
Otter Creek Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 51 reviews
Family-friendly space featuring prairie grass, a wood tower, a pond and trails for hiking and fishing, plus campsites.
Grant Wood Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 43 reviews
Paved trail offering vistas of cornfields, for cycling, walking and running.
No trails match those filters.
By city
Every running trail in the town, not just the ones with scenic views.
- Dubuque
- Sioux City
- Des Moines
- Ames
- Cedar Rapids
- Burlington
- Cedar Falls
- Davenport
- Iowa City
- Muscatine
- Marion
- West Des Moines
- Ankeny
- Clinton
- Council Bluffs
- Indianola
- Johnston
- Mason City
- Waterloo
- Bettendorf
- Coralville
- Ottumwa
- Pleasant Hill
- Solon
- Storm Lake
- Urbandale
- Fort Dodge
- Marshalltown
- North Liberty
- Oskaloosa
- Waverly
- Altoona
- Boone
- Carlisle
- Clive
- Keomah Village
- Le Claire
- Lehigh
- Madrid
- Maxwell
- Newton
- Palo
- Pella
- Polk City
- Prairie City
- Riverdale
- Spencer
- Waukee
See scenic running trails across the whole country, or every running trail in Iowa. You can also browse the other features or start from surface.