Explore the best rated trails in Council Bluffs, IA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the T-Bone Trail and Jack Sutton Drive. With more than 54 trails covering 4104 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Omaha's Glenn Cunningham Lake offers six miles of walking and biking trails circling the reservoir. The wide, concrete trail provides an accessible path for easy recreation and connects them to nature...
The Rock Island Old Stone Arch Nature Trail travels nearly 4 miles along an asphalt path atop a former railbed once owned by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Starting near an I-80 on-ramp,...
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
Stretching a mile across Blair’s northwest side, the Deerfield Lions Trail is so named because it connects the Deerfield subdivision (and Deerfield Elementary School) at one end and Lions Club Park at...
The Zorinsky Lake Trail offers a pleasant excursion on the western outskirts of Omaha. The paved pathway encircles a 255-acre lake, offering beautiful views of the water from all angles. The full...
The Lake Manawa Trail in Council Bluffs links the city's industrial core along US 275 with Lake Manawa State Park, a popular destination for hiking, camping, boating, fishing and swimming. In the...
Running through a quiet neighborhood in the western reaches of Omaha, the Huntington Park Trailway (also known more simply as the Huntington Trail) offers a nice concrete path, ideal for residents...
The FEVR Trail borrows its name from the Fremont Valley & Elkhorn excursion line, that ran trains on 17 miles between Fremont and Hooper. The FEVR line is intact but the trail shares right-of-way with...
The T-Bone Trail stretches nearly 20 miles between Audubon and Pymosa township in western Iowa. The paved pathway follows a former railroad right-of-way and offers beautiful countryside views. On the...
The West Papio Trail offers nearly 23 miles of paved trail in the western Omaha metro region. The pathway begins just west of S. 36th Street in Bellevue, where it connects with the Keystone Trail, and...
The Murdock Trail, named after the businessman who donated the land to the City of Lincoln, travels east-west for nearly 5 miles through northern Lincoln and its Havelock neighborhood. The trail runs...
The Walnut Creek Lake Recreation Area is a natural gem in Papillion, a southwestern suburb of Omaha. The 450-acre park features a paved multiuse pathway circling Walnut Creek Lake. Along the way,...
The multiuse trail sits alongside the Sorensen Parkway, extending from the scenic Fontenelle Boulevard west to N 90th Street and Military Road. It provides a recreational path for residents of the...
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The Indian Creek Trail in Council Bluffs runs north along Indian Creek from busy US 275where it meets the Veterans Memorial Trail and Lake Manawa Trailto the southwestern edge of Sunset Park on 16th...
The Bellevue Loop Trail is actually the southern extension of the Keystone Trail, and it is occasionally referred to simply as part of the longer trail. The trail makes a loop around the southern edge...
A concrete pathway that encircles the small community of Stanton, Iowa, the Stanton Greenbelt Trail gives residents a convenient recreation trail right in their backyards. The trail forms a semicircle...
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Council Bluffs' Veterans Memorial Trail runs adjacent to US 275also known as Veterans Memorial Highwayfor its 5 mile route. On the non-highway side of the trail, runners, walkers, bikers and skaters...
Providing an invaluable connection between the 144th Street Trail and the West Papio Trail, two key trails in the Omaha area's trail network, the Westin Hills Trail also serves as a pleasant community...
Extending north from the 144th Street Trail, the Standing Bear Lake and Recreation Area Trail spans over four miles around Standing Bear Lake and the surrounding neighborhoods and parkland. A popular...
This trail is an 8-mile long winding pathway stretching from north to south along 144th Street (State Route 50). It is an important route for both recreation and transportation, providing safe...
The Turner Boulevard Trail offers a north-south route paralleling its namesake roadway through residential neighborhoods on Omaha's west side. Along its two miles, the paved pathway connects three...
This recreational trail travels along the south side of E. Military Road. The concrete path connects neighborhoods on the east side of Fremont to Johnson Park. The park is home to a fishing lake...
Notice: On April 9, 2020, the East Nishnabotna bridge on the north side of Shenandoah was damaged by a fire. Over 50 feet will have to be completely torn off and rebuilt. There is no through access:...
Omaha's Glenn Cunningham Lake offers six miles of walking and biking trails circling the reservoir. The wide, concrete trail provides an accessible path for easy recreation and connects them to nature...
The Jack Sutton Drive is a concrete path lying along Jack Sutton Drive. The trail extends between Luther Road and the Johnson Crossing Academic Center, and affords students of the adjacent...
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This trail provides a safe place to walk, roll or jog within the Elkhorn neighborhood on the west side of Omaha. The concrete path sits in the Piney Creek greenbelt, which also the site of a small...
The Walnut Creek Lake Recreation Area is a natural gem in Papillion, a southwestern suburb of Omaha. The 450-acre park features a paved multiuse pathway circling Walnut Creek Lake. Along the way,...
The Platte River Connection is a short, but critical, route that will one day link the vast trail systems of the two most populous Nebraskan cities, Lincoln and Omaha. The trail's centerpiece is the...
For commuters, the 84th Street Trail provides a convenient, north-south route paralleling its namesake road from Mahoney Park and Adams Street to Old Cheney Road. For recreationists, the trail...
The Superior Street Trail is primarily a commuter route following its namesake thoroughfare from US 6 (Cornhusker Highway) in Lincoln to the Highlands neighborhood on the western edge of the city. The...
The Prairie Queen Recreation Area offers a beautiful outdoor space for residents of Papillion, which lies southeast of Omaha. Looping around the lake at its center is a paved pathway, which offers...
Just north of the small Iowa city of Atlantic, a sprawling network of concrete multi-use trails have been built, enabling cyclists and pedestrians to safely explore the lovely natural landscape around...
The Zorinsky Lake Trail offers a pleasant excursion on the western outskirts of Omaha. The paved pathway encircles a 255-acre lake, offering beautiful views of the water from all angles. The full...
The Shanda Dixon Trail borders a residential area along Fremont Street in northeastern Lincoln and makes its way east to Mahoney Park. The trail circles the park, which offers athletic facilities and...
The MoPac Trail follows the former Missouri Pacific Railroad's Omaha Belt Line (hence "MoPac"). This eastern segment of the rail corridor offers a rural experience, heading east from the outskirts of...
A concrete pathway that encircles the small community of Stanton, Iowa, the Stanton Greenbelt Trail gives residents a convenient recreation trail right in their backyards. The trail forms a semicircle...
The Murdock Trail, named after the businessman who donated the land to the City of Lincoln, travels east-west for nearly 5 miles through northern Lincoln and its Havelock neighborhood. The trail runs...
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In just under three miles, the Skyline Trail takes users across a variety of settings - suburban residential, main street commercial, and agricultural. The trail is found in Elkhorn, on the west edge...
Council Bluffs' Veterans Memorial Trail runs adjacent to US 275also known as Veterans Memorial Highwayfor its 5 mile route. On the non-highway side of the trail, runners, walkers, bikers and skaters...
The T-Bone Trail stretches nearly 20 miles between Audubon and Pymosa township in western Iowa. The paved pathway follows a former railroad right-of-way and offers beautiful countryside views. On the...
Following a former railroad route, the Field Club Trail spans nearly 2 miles in one of Omaha's older neighborhoods. The northern portion of the trail—beginning just south of the University of Nebraska...
This recreational trail travels along the south side of E. Military Road. The concrete path connects neighborhoods on the east side of Fremont to Johnson Park. The park is home to a fishing lake...
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The MoPac Trail in Springfield is an integral component of what is planned to be a more than 50-mile recreational trail between Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska's two largest cities. Four sections of the...
For commuters, the 84th Street Trail provides a convenient, north-south route paralleling its namesake road from Mahoney Park and Adams Street to Old Cheney Road. For recreationists, the trail...
The Bull Creek Pathway is a short neighborhood path with a lot of use. The multi-use pathway runs parallel to Bull Creek and links Harl-Holt Park to Washington Elementary, Schuler Elementary and...
In the heart of Omaha, the Burt Street Trail provides an east-west route between N. 20th Street and N. 30th Street paralleling its namesake roadway. Along the way, it traverses the Creighton...
A concrete pathway that encircles the small community of Stanton, Iowa, the Stanton Greenbelt Trail gives residents a convenient recreation trail right in their backyards. The trail forms a semicircle...
Flanagan Lake, opened to the public in July 2018, is a 220-acre reservoir designed to aid in flood control on the outskirts of Omaha. Named for Father Edward Flanagan, the priest who founded the...
The South Omaha Trail serves as an important connector for the city, linking the Keystone Trail, Karen Park, Karen Western Elementary School and the Field Club Trail. The paved pathway is built on a...
Omaha's Glenn Cunningham Lake offers six miles of walking and biking trails circling the reservoir. The wide, concrete trail provides an accessible path for easy recreation and connects them to nature...
The multiuse trail sits alongside the Sorensen Parkway, extending from the scenic Fontenelle Boulevard west to N 90th Street and Military Road. It provides a recreational path for residents of the...
The Iowa Riverfront Trail in Council Bluffs spans the western side of the city along the Missouri River. For most of the route, bikers, runners, skaters and walkers are treated to spectacular views of...
The Rock Island Old Stone Arch Nature Trail travels nearly 4 miles along an asphalt path atop a former railbed once owned by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Starting near an I-80 on-ramp,...
The Murdock Trail, named after the businessman who donated the land to the City of Lincoln, travels east-west for nearly 5 miles through northern Lincoln and its Havelock neighborhood. The trail runs...
The Zorinsky Lake Trail offers a pleasant excursion on the western outskirts of Omaha. The paved pathway encircles a 255-acre lake, offering beautiful views of the water from all angles. The full...
Notice: On April 9, 2020, the East Nishnabotna bridge on the north side of Shenandoah was damaged by a fire. Over 50 feet will have to be completely torn off and rebuilt. There is no through access:...
Note: This developing route is not yet fully contiguous – it is just over 50% complete. Please refer to the Trail Map for more information on the existing sections of trail, as well as the online...
The Prairie Queen Recreation Area offers a beautiful outdoor space for residents of Papillion, which lies southeast of Omaha. Looping around the lake at its center is a paved pathway, which offers...
The FEVR Trail borrows its name from the Fremont Valley & Elkhorn excursion line, that ran trains on 17 miles between Fremont and Hooper. The FEVR line is intact but the trail shares right-of-way with...
The Walnut Creek Lake Recreation Area is a natural gem in Papillion, a southwestern suburb of Omaha. The 450-acre park features a paved multiuse pathway circling Walnut Creek Lake. Along the way,...
Grade the trail! This review serves as a guide so that you know what condition the trail is in before you go. Here are the ratings:
A – Excellent condition, new or like-new.
B – Very good condition, not new, but still a great trail.
C – Fair condition, starting to see a fair amount of ruts, bumps or heaves.
D – Poor condition, lots of ruts, bumps or heaves.
F – Very poor condition, would not recommend riding this trail at all.
The hot western IA summer sun wreaks havoc on this mostly asphalt trail. LOTS of ruts. There is a 3 mile (approx) section north of Exira that is concrete. On the basis of trail surface alone, that section would get a (B) rating. A substantial portion of this trail (1/3 to 1/2?) runs amongst the trees. They do not blow the sticks off of the trail. When they mow the grass along the trail, they do not blow it off. Be aware of the bridge abutments, most all are very rough - some have a 2 inch bump. The gravel road crossings are not paved, which is to be expected on a rural trail. In addition, there are 3 short sections where you will be riding on gravel. One in particular to watch out for is near the I-80 interchange where the asphalt trail in completely covered with gravel. This would be an awesome rail-trail if it were repaired and maintained!
Overall rating: C/D
Feel free to copy this format and grade other trails as desired.
Was a little scared by previous reviews, but seems this trail is getting better. I would definitely not go on it with anything less than 700x38c. Still sections of deep gravel you can fishtail on. Hopefully the let some trees grow around this for shade and wind protection. Rode from Schram street to across the river--approx. 15 miles. Be prepared for wind.
Yucky trial. We rode from Springfield out to South Bend. Deep gravel that was unsafe to ride on and lots of dog poop. We will not be back.
After starting from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Headquarters and Visitor Center, we bicycled across the awesome Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, rode the Iowa Riverfront Trail, and then crossed back to ride the Omaha Riverfront Trail.
I'm sorry to say it was less than impressive. We traveled from Southern California to experience the bridge and bike trails on both sides of the Old Muddy, and Omaha really let us down. There were some great views of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and the mighty Missouri River, but due to construction the downriver portion of the trail past the Lewis and Clark center was closed off!
Heading upriver was just as disappointing. After a mile or so the trail just comes to an end at a restaurant parking lot. We were tempted to ride through the parking lot, get on Abbott Drive to find where the trail eventually resumes, but these two senior citizens didn't particularly want to share the road with two ton vehicles whizzing past us.
OMAHA: We look forward to coming back when all of three sections of your Riverfront Trail are a connected Class IV Bikeway and construction free!
The wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip bicycling from the Nebraska side to Iowa and eventually back over on this awesome suspension bridge in October. Plenty of photo ops, pedestrians, and joggers!
Bicyclists: Plan on riding Omaha's Riverfront Trail and Iowa's Riverfront Trail on either side of the bridge to make a day of it! Council Bluff's Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park is especially cool with its large grassy areas, trees, and sculptures!
On a glorious Sunday morn in early October, my wife and I crossed the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge from Omaha into Council Bluffs to experience the Iowa Riverfront Trail.
On a vacation from Southern California to ride our bikes in ten states, I'm sorry to report that this trail was nothing to write home about.
In all fairness, the bridge is awesome, the Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park and amphitheater area with it's large grass area, trees and sculptures is pretty cool, and there are some awesome views of Old Muddy and the downtown Omaha skyline, but that's about it for highlights. As soon as you start riding in either direction from the bridge, it becomes somewhat disappointing.
After ignoring the temporary "Keep Off the Trail" sign and barrier , we headed upriver. It was OK with some pleasant Omaha views, but felt a bit sketchy when entering a woodsy area with obvious remnants of some homeless camping. Try to ignore the speeding cars racing by on the freeway.
Going downriver from the bridge was discouraging too. It's not especially picturesque, but you do get to ride through the parking lots of a couple of casinos!
I will concede that at least this is a great, well maintained, flat trail for the locals to work out on.
Enjoyable tree canopy trail that travels through western Iowa’s farmlands and small towns. Should be on everyone’s trail adventures list. We will definitely be back for another ride.
Beautiful tree canopy trail passing through western Iowa farm land and small towns. We can’t wait to come back and enjoy the trail again next year! Should be on everyone’s trail list.
Nice trail all cement hopefully they extend it before long support your local trails
The first eight or nine miles is fine except for finding large, very large grave(Gravel that will never break down unless semi’s drive over it, for years). These sections that are very uncomfortable to ride over. Then you get to the corn and soybean fields, do not go this way unless you like pushing your bike through soft sand and more of the large gravel chunks. Then you head towards Peru and the Trail is growing in nicely with weeds in the middle and you get to Peru hoping for a nice rest stop and someone has vandalized the bathrooms and it looks like it’s been that way a long time and you cannot go past this point towards Brownsville, barriers all over for that way. But the first 9 miles was very nice.
Road the tail to Peru back on hybrid bikes. First 6 miles is in the trees and great shape. The next 5 miles to Peru, the trail had rough spots and areas of loose sand and gravel but doable. The bathrooms at Peru are not working. Overall, great trail with no traffic.
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