Raccoon River Valley Trail
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is an 89-mile, paved, multi-use recreational trail that extends from Clive, in the Des Moines-metropolitan area, to Jefferson. The 33-mile "North Loop" was completed in 2013 making this trail one of the longest in the United States. The trail is built on the former Milwaukee RR track now owned by the Dallas, Greene, and Guthrie County Conservation Boards. The trail winds its way through the Middle and North Raccoon River corridors with areas of prairie and canopies of timber that remind us of what Iowa was like in the 1870's. Common uses for the multi-recreational trail are hiking, biking, walking, in-line skating, jogging, bird watching , or cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter.
There is no charge to use the trail.
Location
Trailheads are located in:
Features
Length: 89 total miles, with 72-mile interior loop
Surface: Concrete or asphalt
Grade: 1% to 2%
Fees: None
Operating Hours & Seasons
Basic GCCB Park Rules
- Parks open at 6:00 a.m.
- Parks close at 10:30 p.m.
- Park in designated areas.
- Fires, Wastes - use containers provided.
- Keep pets on leash.
- Do not pick any wildflowers.
- All State and Federal Laws apply to county areas.
- Speed limit is 15 m.p.h.
- Hunting in designated areas only.
- Keg Beer - Permit required.
Closures
No closures at this time.
