Along Shaver Rd, just south of the Cedar Lake rest area is a new place called the Sag Wagon which appears to be very popular. Charley Western Trail - Cedar River Bridge Posted April 13, 2017, by Don Morrison (bacchus [at] mchsi [dot] com) We've had some spring flooding in the past few years, but no significant flooding on the cedar this spring that I've heard of. Bicyclists, walkers, fishermen, snowmobilers & more use the RRVT. CAN'T WAIT! The trail’s surface is asphalt from Evansdale to McFarlane Park, just 2½ south of La Porte City. The Cedar River flows from just north of Austin, MN all the way down to southeast Iowa, where it joins the Iowa River and becomes a major tributary into the Mississippi. The railroad reached Cedar Rapids in 1859 and hastened the demise of the riverboats used for commerce. The 67 mile Cedar Valley Nature Trail connects Evansdale to Ely and runs through several small towns. I believe the trail closure was caused by the flood of 2008. The only other exception is Czech Village south of downtown at the 14th Street Bridge, where there are quite a few restaurants and bars. Hotels near Iowa River Landing Sculptor Walk; Hotels near 1876 Coralville Schoolhouse; Hotels near Coralville Old Town Hall; Hotels near Sultans Hookah Bar; Near Airports. Work is being done to clear it but I imagine it’s going to be a long process you can get 1. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail and Cedar Lake Loop Trail are asphalt and concrete and are kept open throughout the year. The last was paved. To reach the Boyson Road trailhead in Hiawatha from I-380, take Exit 25 onto Boyson Road, and head east. The trails include the familiar and scenic Cedar River Valley Trail, which showcases some of Iowa's historic industry. Boyson Road: Access to the Hiawatha Trail-head parking area for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is from Kainz Drive - just south of Boyson Road. This is a great asset for any community and hope more people get out and find how enjoyable this is..just like I did. One of our favorite trails, especially the Brandon to La Porte City section. There are a few casual restaurants along the route. Gateway trails represent those iconic trails that make possible the Great American Rail-Trail in each of the states it connects. The rest is crushed stone / gravel. Cedar Trail Village is located in Hiawatha, Iowa in the 52233 zip code. This summer I’ve been exploring the Cedar Valley Trail system to practice with my new helmet cam prior to a Colorado trip. At 17.4 miles in length the CRT is a paved, off-road trail for the first 12.3 miles, and features a soft surface for the last five miles. Within NewBo City Market are a good mélange of food choices, while across the street thare are other casual food places with nice menus. Cedar River Loop is a 3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cedar Falls, Iowa that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Two major bridges over the Cedar River in Black Hawk County remain closed due to the 2008 flood. Don't be fooled it is a hard ride for the next 25 miles and our speed dropped into low single digits. With more than 52 Waterloo trails covering 4022 miles, you’re bound to find a perfect trail like the Old Creamery Nature Trail or CEMAR Trail. When the paved trails ended we were expecting crushed limestone, but by Urbana the trails turned to hard dirt and sand in some places. | Easy. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. Over the years when traveling through the area, we had biked from the northern end at Evendale as far south as Center Point. 52 miles - Cedar Valley Nature Trail connects Waterloo/Cedar Falls with Cedar Rapids and many towns in between. The trail offers a number of activity options. Restrooms are available at Cedar Lake. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The Cedar River flows from just north of Austin, MN all the way down to southeast Iowa, where it joins the Iowa River and becomes a major tributary into the Mississippi. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 30,000 miles of trail maps and more! The Cedar River Greenbelt Trail and Harry Cook Nature Trail are separated by a half-mile gap. The trail follows the Cedar River and Indian Creek on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids. Lower Cedar River Cedar Rapids to Confluence with Iowa River Map 3 Smallmouth bass, rock bass, and walleye can be found in rocky areas of the river between Benton and Cedar county. View Cedar River Trail North with amenities in a larger map. It was built on the abandoned Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern (WCF&N) railroad right-of-way in the early 1980’s. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 369 contributions 89 helpful votes Really beautiful views! Charles City Suspension Bridge (Floyd County, Iowa) Built 1906; destroyed by flash flooding on June 8, … Overnight trip on recumbents. New asphalt, wide, well maintained, varied landscapes so scenic. You can see some of my short Cedar River trail videos here http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaeG0koXJBkCmi2XDUH-N45gLq65xoGXW . Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls IA, 70+ miles average speed 9.8 mph. Cedar Trail Village is located in Hiawatha, Iowa in the 52233 zip code. We encountered a "trail closed sign" just after Urbana, but it was very passable. We stayed at the park and rode the trail, it was nice, no problems with surface, mostly shaded. We BIKEIOWA Iowa - Do You ? A historic rail trail running 67 miles through Eastern Iowa between Waterloo and Cedar Rapids to Ely. The trail is free and a great trail. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is one of the pioneer "linear parks" in Iowa. Stone arch bridge on the Cedar River Trail over Ely Road in Cedar Rapids Location Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa Status Open to traffic History Built 1887 Builders - Cedar Valley Quarry of Cedar Valley, Iowa (Extractor) - Elmer J.C. Bealer of Cedar Valley, Iowa (Stonemason) Railroads - Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway (BCRN) The trail follows the river for 17.4 miles, from the Cedar River Watershed’s western boundary at Landsburg, downstream to the mouth of the Cedar River, where it empties into Lake Washington in Renton. In Gilbertville, the old brick railroad depot remains standing at the trailhead here and is quite a neat building. The Illinois Central Railroad gained sole ownership in 1968 and abandoned large sections in 1983. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Here, you’ll find a pond, restrooms, water and parking. Asphalt covers the northern 16-mile section of trail as well as the southern section spanning from Iowa Street in Center Point to the Linn County Line. A long hot day, badly sun burnt as the trail is exposed most of the way but a memorable start to the upper Midwest riding season. Cedar Valley access is at the crossing of County Road X-40 over the river, on the north side of the road. Hunting is allowed on publicly owned portions and there is off-road parking at both ends. ", TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, River Road and I-380 (Evansdale) and Seven Sisters Road and Ely Road (Ely), City that was closed in 2015 has been rebuilt and is now open for trail traffic. Surfaced with asphalt from Evansdale to McFarlane Park east of La Porte City and then compacted limestone, the trail follows the floodplain of the Cedar River. Due to the Flood of 2008, there have been quite a few detours on the eastside of downtown Cedar Rapids. Absolutely wonderful trail! We cycled from the north end, parking in a residential area on the south side of the Cedar River near Evansdale and biked down to LaPorte City where we turned back around. Natural Resource Plates Linn County no longer charges a fee to use this trail. The first two roads were hard packed dirt, smoother than a lot of paved roads I've ridden on. Many drivers do not heed the lights, so proceed with extreme caution. You’ll then head south along a rural stretch—look for deer, wild turkeys and other wild animals—before reaching suburban Hiawatha. Center Point Depot:The historic depot and associated parking lot/trail access is located between E. Washington and … Where the trail crosses Ely Road and Wright Brothers Boulevard, a plaque explains the area’s unique landscape formed by two distinct landforms: open plains and pahas, hills formed by windblown silt. The picnic area is close to the water's edge and near play equipment and a non-motorized boat launch. Head wins all the way back. The path continues through Waterloo and is clearly marked and through a very pretty part of town, next to the river. as far as Shultz Road, less than 3 miles from Center Point. 2 times tress down blocking the rail and 2 other sections where trees were broken off but hanging over the trail. On April 16, the Black Hawk County Conservation Board approved their role as the sponsor for the Cedar River and Black Hawk Creek Water Trails in Black Hawk County. Let's go Black Hawk County and get this taken care for next year. Running from north to south, Werner Ave (large lot), McCloud Place (small lot), Cedar Lake (mostly on street parking), Sokol Park/Czech Village (on street), and C Street. Experience the sights and sounds of urban wildlife along McCloud's Run, Cedar Lake, and the Cedar River. They are open 6 days a week, staying open until 8:30 on Monday and Thursday in season. If it had not been in plain view I might have been OK. through it but you’re gonna have to do a lot of lifting of your bike, This is a local trail for us so we ride it frequently. Cedar Falls, IA 50613 . After passing the Union Pacific mainline overpass it is smooth sailing to the minimal grade connection with the Hoover Trail. In June we rode from Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls via the Cedar Valley Nature Trail (and back...2 day trip). There is trail damage from a recent flood and a section near Waterloo is completely washed out. The Maid of Iowa did, however, make trips on the Skunk River. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to cycle on a portion of the CVNT for the first time. Mostly 2 lane cattle path. The Cedar River Trail runs from Ely Iowa (via the Hoover Trail), through Cedar Rapids via the Czech village and Cedar Lake to the Hiawatha (Boyson Rd) Cedar Valley Trail head. Please see the maps in the Iowa DNR Canoe Guide link provided below. This is one of my favorite rides. On each side of the street there are bollards that activate flashing strobes in the street as you pass between them. It’s well maintained and has stops all along the trail. Go 0.2 mile, and bear left onto Sixth St. Bear right onto River Road, go 0.4 mile, and look for the trailhead parking on the left. Would definitely recommend for the entire family. This can slow you down a little bit and you need to be extremely cautious. There is a local bike shop just north of the trail on 2nd Ave SE. The Cedar River Trail stretches for more than 16 miles. When we ride in Cedar Rapids in Hiawatha there are quite a few streets to cross that are fairly busy. To reach the northern trailhead in Evansdale from I-380, take Exit 70, and head north on River Forest Road. Located in Waterloo, Iowa only feet from the bike trail, a few blocks from the brand new sportsplex, and a short walk from 4th Street. Trail users need to cross the Highway 9 bridge and travel on Spring Park Road to reach Spring Park and the Harry Cook Trail, which winds along the Cedar River and Sugar Creek. The surface is smooth and runs through some farmland as well as a good portion of shade trees. Cedar Falls Recreation Center 110 East 13th Street Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 Phone: (319) 273-8636 Fax: (319) 273-8656 WOW! Cedar River State Water Trail Share your own photos of the river! Real nice trail, hard packed and well taken care of. The 67 mile Cedar Valley Nature Trail connects Evansdale to Ely and runs through several small towns. There are additional boat ramps at various points between these two. Some amenities are within walking distance. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Beginning at the northern trailhead, you’ll head southeast over the Cedar River and along a 4.5-mile stretch to Gilbertville, where a trailhead at East Washburn Road offers restrooms, water, and parking. Please see the maps in the Iowa DNR Canoe Guide link provided below. Keep up the great work, Iowa.-Cliff & Bernice", "This is a very nice trail running NW - SE from Waterloo to Cedar Rapids areas. Rent includes garbage. Cedar Lake Park, Nashua, IA 50658 Chickasaw County (portage dam on left) GPS coordinates, latitude, longitude: 42.95638,-92.535427 Take out above the dam on river left and carry across the street and down to the river. Surface Type: Paved/separated trail. Just to see the bridge. 20 mi 541 ft elev +  Sign in to save Story. Covered in leaves. From LaPorte City, you’ll head about 3 miles to a new bridge over a second Cedar River crossing (look for the red cedar trees that give the river its name). The temperature was in the upper 90's, but on the tree lined trail you would have thought it was mid 80's. The site is also located within the Interstate 380 right-of-way owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). “Loop Trail” traverses 10 miles (8.4 water, 1.6 portage) connecting the Cedar River, George Wyth State Park, & the Hartman Reserve Nature Center. We now ride on this trail a minimum of three /four times a week and love every minute of it. It’s all smooth blacktop with some shared highway sections in Cedar Rapids. We rode this trail this weekend. You can move downtown into a brand-new 1,054 sq ft unit with garage, laundry in every unit, and gorgeous views of the Cedar River. Since the ground was still a bit soft and we had road bikes, we detoured into Center Point as follows: right 0.3 miles on Schultz, left 1.1 miles on Fay Road, and right 1.0 miles on Center Point Road. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. Just started riding a bike for the first time since I was 10 and this trail is very enjoyable. The trail was closed just past Brandon, but only for a couple hundred feet and we were able to walk bikes around area. In Center Point, you’ll find a museum in the old railroad depot that’s open on summer Sundays. At Seventh Street, the trail turns right, heads 3 blocks to the Cedar River, and then cuts left to follow the river a short distance. It was built on the abandoned Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern (WCF&N) railroad right-of-way in the early 1980's. There are many parking areas along the trail. Some blogs described small towns and places to eat however we did not see any, at least within in an easy detour from the trail. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Troy Tourtellott and is located at 1245 320th St, Nora Springs, IA 50458. Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Extra care should be taken as you cross 1st Ave. Great eastern Iowa resource - highly recommended! The limestone trail is suitable for walking, jogging, biking and horseback riding. We have never ridden past Center point so I don’t know what the trail is like after that however the trail is in excellent condition and a joy to ride from Ely to Center Point. The last section was from south of Center Point to Hiawatha - asphalt in very good shape. What more can you ask for. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is one of the pioneer “linear parks” in Iowa. On April 16, the Black Hawk County Conservation Board approved their role as the sponsor for the Cedar River and Black Hawk Creek Water Trails in Black Hawk County. A crushed limestone trail, the Cedar River Greenbelt travels 4 miles along the Cedar River from Interstate Park in the city of Mitchell to … The trail seems to have something for everyone. About Map. Indian Creek Nature Center is located midway along the trail, about 1/2 mile south of the Mount … I can recommend the Blue Toad, not to be confused with the Red Frog. From here, it’s a further 8 miles south to La Porte City. The Linn County Conservation Board quit charging a user fee for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail a long time ago. BIKEIOWA is connecting cyclists with Iowa communities and making Iowa a better place to ride your bicycle with the most comprehensive Event and Race calendar, News, Features, Reviews, RAGBRAI and Team and Club information on the planet. We did all of the route during the summer of 2012, but had to circumvent the bridge. This River Trail Development condo has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Cedar River Trail Blazers is an Iowa Revised Domestic Non-Profit filed on May 10, 2004. I never get tired of riding this trail, I always see lots of neat wildlife. Cedar River Trail ride from Cedar Rapids (Czech Village) to Hiawatha (Boyson Rd), plus a side trip around the Cedar … It was slow going as we were on road bikes, but very doable. It is true the trail is closed at Mac Farlane Park. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Our first long distance ride of the season to get ready for Germany 2014. The trail has a small parking lot at the edge of Ely, where the addition of a water supply would be helpful. Four mile limestone trail that parallels the west side of the Cedar River from Interstate Park at Mitchell to Falk's Wildlife Area 1.5 miles west of Osage at the Mitchell County Headquarters and Cedar Bridge Park location. First 17 miles great. The Cedar River Trail follows the Cedar River from where it enters Lake Washington in the City of Renton upriver to the community of Landsburg at the boundary of the City of Seattle’s Cedar River Watershed. We did not do the return ride - I took a taxi back to CR, got the car and drove back to pick up the bikes. Search. Summary: Nice trail but watch that middle section .. it's a bear! The Cedar River Greenbelt is a trail network that includes the Cedar Valley and Harry Cook trails as well as Spring Park. The shortened 16-mile trail was pleasant and mostly protected from wind and sun by trees. We were surprised and disappointed (especially since we drove over an hour to get to the trail) to discover that the SE-bound trail ends at McFarlane Park, about 3 miles east of LaPorte City. It was great. Rent includes garbage. ... Search Cedar Valley Nature Trail Businesses. We saw deer and other animals. Unless you’re the hardy type A lot of trees down about half miles worth near the Wright brothers intersection. It was an interesting change of scenery and ride, but unless I just want a workout, I'll stick to the trail next time. At Center Point the trail turns to loose gravel and in some places it is completely covered over in leaves or dirt. It's closed there, but you can get through if you can carry your bike. Among the first rail-trail conversions in the state, the northern portion traces the original corridor of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern Railway, an interurban railroad that, by 1914, had connected Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Open to pedestrians. Google Local / CJ Flynn The Heart of Iowa Trail is another part of the pathway across the country — and this trail is known for its serene natural beauty. The trail follows the Cedar River and Indian Creek on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids. Located in Waterloo, Iowa only feet from the bike trail, a few blocks from … (Lame Breakfast BTW go to the coffee shop at the end of the street.) The trail out of Waterloo is asphalt for awhile, then changes to chipped asphalt. The 52-mile pathway, one of the first rail-trail conversions in the state, follows the beautiful Cedar River through agricultural fields and scenic swaths of prairie and wildflowers, while also connecting the urban centers of Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids. This trail is a gateway to the Great American Rail-Trail, a nearly 4,000 mile developing trail that will connect the country from Washington, D.C., to Washington state. Big Sioux River Larchwood to Sioux City Boone River Boone River – Hamilton County DNR – Boone River Water Trail PDF Webster City to the Des Moines River West & East Fork Des Moines River, Upper Des Moines River, Lizard Creek and Boone River Cedar River Depending on where you go on the river there are really exceptional views; sometimes you will see bald eagles. Water is available at Cedar Lake, Sokol Park and C street. The trail passes in back of the lot. I headed south from Evansdale toward La Porte City. The Cedar River Preserve is in Solon Swamp, near the southwest corner of South Lake Leelanau. Parts of the trail are landscaped with grasses and wildflowers native to the Iowa prairie, providing habitat for the varied songbirds and mammals that live along the corridor; it is not uncommon to see Iowa’s state bird, the American Goldfinch. Making your way toward Ely at the southern end of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, you’ll enter a section where you can see for miles; look for a wind turbine or two on the distant horizon. Stone arch bridge on the Cedar River Trail over Ely Road in Cedar Rapids Location Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa Status Open to traffic History Built 1887 Builders - Cedar Valley Quarry of Cedar Valley, Iowa (Extractor) - Elmer J.C. Bealer of Cedar Valley, Iowa (Stonemason) Railroads - Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway (BCRN) Efforts are underway to repair both bridges and it's hoped that by sometime in 2010 they will be reopened. Beautiful ride. Built 1884 by Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio. About River Trail Apartments. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. I look forward to biking on other segments of this popular trail in the future. Access is available at the fishery parking lot. A paddle through the Cedar River Preserve is the perfect place to view stunning yellow pond lilies, see a mink slip into the water or watch an osprey dive for its dinner. Cedar River Greenbelt Trail This 4.0 mile trail parallels the Cedar River from one mile west of Osage,Iowa to the town of Mitchell, Iowa. Resources: Iowa's Dept of Natural Resources has published an excellent guide to in-state canoeing. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail runs through wetlands, forested land, and farmland. Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Big Sioux River Larchwood to Sioux City Boone River Boone River – Hamilton County DNR – Boone River Water Trail PDF Webster City to the Des Moines River West & East Fork Des Moines River, Upper Des Moines River, Lizard Creek and Boone River Cedar River Help defend and expand trails nationwide. Rode Friday Oct. 3. Never..Only bikes I rode had engines. For our second RAGBRAI Roadshow Bike Ride, we'll hop on the Cedar River Trail from the Kickstand in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar River Trail runs from Ely Iowa (via the Hoover Trail), through Cedar Rapids via the Czech village and Cedar Lake to the Hiawatha (Boyson Rd) Cedar Valley Trail head. Started in Urbana and actually rode 7 miles north. This stretch of trail is paved and was quite an enjoyable ride. Go 0.2 mile, and turn right on Gilbert Drive; then go 0.9 mile, and turn right on Grand Blvd. Broken off but hanging over the trail is paved back... 2 day )... 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