The Best of Iowa's Mountain Biking Trails

Cone Park Mountain Bike Park, Sioux City

Opened in June 2024, the Cone Park Mountain Bike Trails consist of 10.5 miles of soft surface trails. The first-of-its-kind amenity in the Sioux City area includes a paved pump track and skill features designed for novice and experienced riders alike, including rock elements, pre-engineered bridges, boardwalks, skinnies, wall-rides and more. Visitors can bring their own bike or rent one onsite, with options ranging from full suspension to electric.
 

Lime Creek Nature Center & Conservation Area, Mason City

Home to a nine-mile network of technical, flowy singletrack trails, the Lime Creek Nature Center & Conservation Area’s trails include several challenging loops that take riders through upland timber, restored prairie and limestone bluffs and connect with Mason City’s paved Winnebago River Trail that leads to even more thrilling mountain biking routes. Continue your pedaling along the river or start at the Zerbels Trailhead by the Mason City Dog Park to discover older mountain biking trails. Conquering this entire trail system can result in up to 18 miles of fun, depending on what routes you choose.
 

Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids

Whiterock Conservancy features a collection of 16-miles of singletrack with connections to 22 miles of additional multi-purpose trails. Centered around the scenic Middle Raccoon River in Coon Rapids, the trails follow the flow of the hills and offer a great riding experience for all skill levels. Popular routes include the four-mile Long Creek Trail, which races through the trees and features several challenging climbs, and the three-mile Big Dipper Trail that loops around Star Field and includes switchbacks down into and out of the ravines along with stream crossings. Test your skills on the area’s most challenging route, the Shooting Star Trail, to discover exciting descents and climbs, sweeping turns, exposed bluffs and creek crossings.
 

Sycamore Trails, Johnston & Des Moines

Fast and flowy, the Sycamore Trails follow the west side of the Des Moines River and provide easy riding for mountain bikers of all ages. The 10-mile trail system is broken into two sections between Des Moines and Johnston (north and south) separated by Beaver Creek and connected by the paved High Trestle Trail. Popular routes include the West Trail’s tight ribbon turns, the Pump Trail’s fast ups, downs and quick turns, and the High Life Trail’s weaving loop through old growth forests. Please note that these trails are also open to walkers and runners, so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and are considerate of other trail users.
 

Center Trails, Des Moines

Located in and around Des Moines’ Ashworth Park, the Center Trails system boasts dozens of miles of fun, flowing trails that were professionally designed and built by the Central Iowa Trail Association. Park at Ashworth Pool and pedal a short stretch of the paved Bill Riley Trail before veering off onto the wooded singletrack trails, which circle the park’s gullies and ravines. The Rollercoaster Trail runs for more than two miles and contains several steep climbs and fast descents alongside obstacles like free-ride bridges and old growth tree roots. The connecting Hillside Trail is the hilliest route and boasts some of the area’s largest climbs. The most popular trail is the four-mile Denman’s Woods route, a singletrack loop that winds through the woods with easy flows and a variety of obstacles to keep you on your toes.
 

Decorah Human Powered Trails, Decorah

Decorah is home to an incredible 600-acre park system that features over 20 miles of more than 30 traditional singletrack trails of varying lengths and difficulty, all of which are connected by the paved Trout Run Trail. At Van Peenan Park, the Rocky Road Trail thrills riders with its pine forests and steep climbs while the Pines and Prairie Trails offer several loops that are very beginner friendly. More fun awaits on the Ice Cave Park and Dunning’s Spring Park trails, which feature steep, rocky inclines and descents plus sharp turns around exposed limestone bluffs. The new Carlson Park project, which will be completed on the south side of Decorah in 2025-26, will feature a modern flow trail experience for beginners and advanced riders.
 

Ingawanis Woodland Trails, Waverly

Maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Ingawanis Woodland Trails in Waverly feature seven miles of singletrack mountain biking routes. While the trails are mostly flat, they do feature some rocky, rooty, short and steep climbs. The trails create one general loop with a few spurs, allowing riders to decide how far they ride. Start on the Numbers Trail, which includes tight turns and a fast flow section, before connecting with the Karmondo Trail that leads down to lower ground before turning into the scenic climb of the El Capitan Trail. Stop to admire the scenery before riding back down to the Karmondo Trail and continuing along its slow uphill climb and switchbacks before connecting with the Main Loop Trail.
 

Sugar Bottom Recreational Area, Solon

Located near Lake Macbride State Park, Sugar Bottom Recreation Area’s 14-mile system features 1,400 feet of climbing throughout tightly winding singletrack trails that zig zag through the woodlands, pine forest and grassy meadows around Solon's Coralville Lake. Tough technical sections are scattered throughout, creating thrilling experiences for novices and experts alike. The one-way trails are configured in a loop system, so riders can enjoy an easy ride on a continuous loop or venture off the main trail to discover more difficult routes. The complete system is divided into north and south sections with all trails connecting to a central backbone gravel road. Each route is numbered and includes signs that mark its difficulty level.
 

Linn Area Mountain Biking Trails, Cedar Rapids

Built, maintained and promoted by the Linn Area Mountain Bike Association, Cedar Rapids’ singletrack trails provide a variety of thrilling routes. The area’s first official mountain biking trails can be found at Beverly Park, which features two sections of trails divided by an open area – the Frontside section includes novice- and kid-friendly loops while the opposite side offers more difficult rides. Nearby Wanatee Park boasts both hand-built and pro-built flow trails. Another collection of trails can be found along the Sac and Fox Greenbelt Trails, which include five different sections and eight miles of unique riding experiences. Flowing through the woods and grasslands adjacent to the Cedar River, this trail segment strives to create a trail experience rarely found in the area – a linear singletrack tied directly to existing park infrastructure (parking areas, picnic facilities and other multi-modal trails).