Celebrate Trails Day in Southwest Iowa

April 24 this year is Celebrate Trails Day! This is "an annual spring celebration of America’s trails. Started by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2013, the celebration encourages people all across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation’s exceptional trails and trail systems."

In southwestern Iowa we have many great trails to enjoy, with even more being planned and built. Just this week, a ribbon cutting was held for a new bridge along the Wabash Trace Nature Trail in Silver City. The Wabash is a 63-mile crushed limestone trail on a former rail line running from Council Bluffs to Blanchard. 

New bridge on the Wabash Trace in Silver City. Photo by Lance Brisbois

New bridge on the Wabash Trace in Silver City. Photo by Lance Brisbois

Construction of the First Ave Trail in Council Bluffs also broke ground this week. This trail will provide an important connection between downtown Omaha, the Bob Kerrey Bridge, Riverfront Trail, and downtown Council Bluffs. Eventually the trail will connect with the new Pottawattamie County Trail under construction from Council Bluffs to Weston, Underwood, Neola, and beyond.

Rendering of the First Avenue Trail in Council Bluffs. Photo from City of Council Bluffs via The Daily Nonpareil.

A bridge with public art along the Railroad Highway Trail near Weston in Pottawattamie County. Photo by Lance Brisbois

The new Pottawattamie County trail is part of the Great American Rail Trail (GART), a cross-country off-road trail from Washington, D.C. to Washington state.

The T-Bone Trail in Audubon and Cass counties is also part of the GART. While a gap has existed for many years between the T-Bone and the city of Atlantic, local leaders are currently working to extend the trail into Atlantic. From Atlantic, the proposed GART route connects with the planned Pottawattamie County trail near Neola. 

Map of Great American Rail Trail through Iowa, showing a gap between Atlantic and Neola where new trails are planned.

These are just a few of the hundreds of miles of trails in our region. Looking for a new trail to explore? Check out our post about places to hike and walk in the Loess Hills Missouri River Region. 

Before you go out and celebrate trails, visit our bicycling and walking information and resource page to ensure a fun and safe experience. 

Learn more about the Frontier Iowa Trails network here.