Rolling Prairie Trail in Iowa

When complete, the Rolling Prairie Tri-County Trail System will connect several communities and two state parks as it travels through quintessential northeastern Iowa prairie. Following an 80-mile east-west route, it will traverse the counties of Franklin, Butler, Bremer, and Fayette.

The railroad on which the trail is built was originally begun in 1871 by the Iowa-Pacific Railroad Company. Over the years, the line changed hands and was last owned by Union Pacific Railroad.

In Franklin County, a 9-mile section runs between Coulter, the trail's western terminus, and Hampton. It ends only a block north of Hampton's Progress Park, which provides numerous recreational amenities, such as an aquatic center, skate park, playground, and tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts.

In Butler County, a paved 6-mile segment extends from Allison to Clarksville, where the trail provides access to the Heery Woods State Park, which offers fishing, boating, camping, and picnicking, as well as a nature center. In Clarksville, you can seamlessly continue your journey on the 5.5-mile Shell Rock River Trail, also known as the Butler County Nature Trail. The trail heads east and then south to reach the city of Shell Rock.

East of Shell Rock, another section picks up in Waverly. The 7-mile Waverly Rail Trail links directly to the 6-mile Readlyn Grump Trail, for a continuous 13-mile ride. Along the way, you can also take a short 2-mile spur on the Denver-Jefferson Trail to visit the city of Denver, affectionately called the Mile Wide City.

In the future, the trail will continue further east to end in Oelwein.

Parking and Trail Access

In Clarksville access the Rolling Prairie Trail at Heery Woods State Park (N. side: 19195 Highway 188; S. side: 27887 195th Street). You can also access the trail at the intersection of West Jefferson and South Ely streets or from Volunteer City Park.

In Allison, access the trail from Wilder Park on Highway 3 (southwest of town). The trail entrance is at the back (northeast) section of the park.

In Hampton, parking is available in Progress Park (600 1st Street NW).

Franklin Grove Heritage Trail

Iowa - 1.8 miles

The Franklin Grove Heritage Trail rests on top of an abandoned Rock Island railroad corridor that runs through the heart of the small Iowan city of...

Iowa River Trail

Iowa - 2.2 miles

This 10-foot wide trail was opened in the summer of 2018, and features a smooth concrete surface that can accommodate a variety of users including,...

Pine Lake Trail

Iowa - 2.4 miles

The Pine Lake Trail runs through a heavily wooded state park of the same name, which is especially known for its 250-year-old white pine trees. The...

Accordion

Trolley Trail (Clear Lake/Mason City)

Iowa - 7.5 miles

The best place to begin the Trolley Trail is in Mason City in Ray Rorick Skate Park, located adjacent to the 81-acre Lester Milligan Park, which has...

NIACC Trail

Iowa - 2.2 miles

The NIACC Trail in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, connects the campus of North Iowa Area Community College with the edge of downtown Mason City. The trail...

Shell Rock River Trail (Butler County Nature Trail)

Iowa - 5.9 miles

The Shell Rock River Trail, also known as the Butler County Nature Trail, connects the eastern edge of Clarksville with the community of Shell Rock....

Winnebago Trail

Iowa - 3.7 miles

The Winnebago Trail provides the residents of Mason City with a safe, off-road link to nature, winding 3.7 miles from East Park and through...

Hubbard Prairie Trail

Iowa - 1.3 miles

The Hubbard Prairie Trail is a one-mile rail-trail extending from the northwest edge of the small town of Hubbard in central Iowa to the Meier...

Pioneer Trail

Iowa - 11.5 miles

The nearly 12-mile Pioneer Trail—which gets its name from the early settlers in Grundy County—is built on a former rail line that once connected the...

Reumpers Nature Trail

Iowa - 0.3 miles

Although short, the Reumpers Nature Trail runs under a beautiful canopy of trees along the former Chicago Northwestern Railroad in Radcliffe, a small...

Charley Western Recreational Trailway

Iowa - 4 miles

The Charley Western Recreational Trailway provides a useful off-road route around the outer limits of Charles City. Built on the site of the former...

Riverside Trail (IA)

Iowa - 1.2 miles

Charles City's Riverside Trail runs for a little over a mile along the banks of the Cedar River, providing gorgeous views and recreational...

Rolling Prairie Trail Reviews

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A hard surface trail. We rode it in fall and saw lots of wildlife and beautiful leaves. The trail is washed out at the Shell Rock trail head and again just outside Clarksville, but both spots are navigable by walking the bikes. We especially enjoyed the Allison Restaurant where we had coffee and pie before starting the return trip. The waitress there was especially nice! All in all a very pleasant afternoon trip!