Mitchell

Come ride and enjoy the most scenic bike trail in north Iowa.  Start your ride in Riceville with a stop at the Wapsi Trail Welcome Center.  Built in 1861, the Welcome Center was originally built as the First Baptist Church and was located three (3) blocks west of its present location.  The church survived the great fire of 1901 that destroyed the entire business district and twenty (20) homes.  The original sanctuary remains as built in 1861, but other areas of the structure have been remodeled to provide visitors with restrooms, drinking water and trail information.  Many community events are held at the Welcome Center each year.   

After leaving the Center, travel north on the asphalt trail through memory lane and along a small restored prairie; cross Addison Avenue into Lake Hendricks (modern campsite and a fishing lake) and stop for a moment at the butterfly garden. 

Continue on through Lake Hendricks and north to McIntire and eventually ending at the Ghost Town of Bailey.  The trail is hard surfaced the entire eleven (11) miles and offers visitors a glimpse into the past and the future as you travel through the Old Order Amish farming community around McIntire. You will literally see horse powered agriculture all along the trail.

North of McIntire you get up close and personal with giant wind generators towering over 260 feet in the air.  There are over 300 generators in Mitchell and Howard County in this area. 

Look for historic iron bridges along the way and enjoy a 1,000 foot bridge/boardwalk ride across the wide floodplain of the Wapsipinicon River just south of McIntire.

Enjoy your ride and remember each day and each season brings something new to see and experience. 

Location

The main trail head is located in Riceville on Hwy. 9 at the Wapsi Welcome Center.

Features

Trails

• Biking
• Hiking
• Cross-country skiing

Operating Hours & Seasons

Open Year Round - Access Sometimes Limited During Winter Months