Carney Marsh

Biking at Carney Marsh

Gay Lea Wilson Trail travels along Carney Marsh.

The Gay Lea Wilson Trail, when completed, will extend for approximately 35 miles throughout the eastern and northern parts of Polk County. The trail will also make up the lower portion of a 110-mile Central Iowa Trail Loop that will connect existing parks, trails, and businesses in five counties. Polk County Conservation Board currently owns and manages the five mile trail segment between Pleasant Hill and Altoona and the recently constructed 2.5 mile trail segment between Ankeny and Des Moines. Parking and access to this new stretch of trail is available at Carney Marsh in Ankeny or Sargent Park in Des Moines. For more information on this newest 2.5 mile connection, please see this link Gay Lea Wilson Trail.