Trestle to Trestle Trail
Des Moines to Johnston - 3.7 miles
The Trestle to Trestle Trail was constructed in 2007 and serves as a vital link between Des Moines metro and the northern Polk County suburbs.
The Des Moines & Central Iowa Railroad began operations as the Inter-Urban Railway, incorporated in 1899 and soon after in 1902 connected Des Moines to Colfax, a distance of 23 miles. Four years later in 1906 the railroad built a 35-mile branch connecting Des Moines to Perry. In 1922 the system was reorganized as the Des Moines & Central Iowa Railroad. Passengers services on the system were discontinued in 1949 and the remaining freight business was switched from electric to diesel locomotives, which lasted into the 1950’s.
Location
This 10' wide asphalt trail connects the Inter Urban Trestle Bridge (south of the Euclid Bridge) to the Trestle Bridge (north of I-80/35) connecting to the Johnston trail system. Trailheads are located at River Place off Euclid Avenue (on the west side of the Des Moines River) and on NW Lower Beaver Drive (just east of NW Beaver Drive)
Operating Hours & Seasons
- Summer Hours (April 1 -October 31) | 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- The north side of Easter Lake Park is open sunrise to sunset year-round.
- Fort Des Moines Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset year-round.
- Winter Hours (November 1 - March 31) | Sunrise to sunset
