(We Know How to Weekend on Cedar Valley Trails - Gateway Park)
We're dreaming of long days spent on Cedar Valley Trails
With over 125 miles to choose from, the Cedar Valley Trails offer the outdoor experience many of us are craving right now.
Gateway to 125 Miles of Trails
The Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau is the gateway to the trails, providing information about places to stay, restaurants to experience, and trails to explore. Recognized by The League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community, Cedar Falls has extensive trails, bicycle lanes and shared roadway, making it easy to connect residential, retail and recreational areas. You may even meet one of our Cedar Trail Patrol ambassadors, which is a group of volunteer cyclists trained to offer directions, recommendations and assistance with minor repairs and first aid.
Cedar Falls Beer Trail
The Beer Trail stretches throughout the Cedar Valley with stops at seven popular breweries and tap rooms in Cedar Falls. Visit a participating business for a Beer Passport, purchase a beverage and have your Passport stamped. Stamps will earn you a little souvenir to commemorate the completion of your bike ride (or drive). Learn more about the Cedar Falls Beer Trail HERE.
(Signage in Gateway Park, across from the Cedar Falls Downtown District)
Signage
With more than 125 miles of trails, there are over 140 wayfinding signs throughout the Cedar Valley Trails network, indicating mileage and travel time (at 10 mph), to each destination. The Prairie Pathways project includes dozens of panels and kiosks along the trail system, each depicting the area’s natural and human history. Trails are open 365 days a year for walking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing and feature four communities in Black Hawk County, each with its own unique vibe.
(Cedar Falls Downtown District)
Historic Downtown District
A great place to start and end your adventure is in our nationally-recognized, historic downtown district. If you are looking for a place to stay, The Black Hawk Hotel (the second longest continually-operating hotel in the United States) and the newly-built Hampton Inn are in the heart of downtown, close to historical attractions, restaurants, breweries, boutiques and specialty shops. The downtown district’s bike-friendly breweries include Second State and SingleSpeed Breweries, within blocks of each other. A few local lunch favorites include the Maid-Rite, The Brass Tap, and The Pump Haus, to name a few. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Chocolatier Stam or Main Street Sweets. To end the day, George's Local, Montage, or Whiskey Road will provide a unique dining experience.
(George Wyth State Park)
Soft Trails
In addition to our extensive hard-trails system, if you are interested in riding soft trails, we have them too! There are a variety of looped soft trails in George Wyth State Park, Hartman Reserve Nature Center and Katoski Greenbelt. With more than 30 miles of soft trails, you won’t get bored!
Water Trails
The Cedar Valley Paddlers Trail, the first of its kind in Iowa, is easily accessible from the Cedar Valley Recreational Trails. This 10-mile water and portage trail connects the lakes in George Wyth State Park, Hartman Reserve Nature Center and the Cedar River. One main loop and two smaller loops make up the Paddlers Trail, offering different uses for a variety of skill levels. Whether you are a Boundary Waters explorer or water adventure enthusiast, this unique water trail can test your skills.
Rentals
Need a kayak, paddle board, and more? MAXX Rentals (conveniently located in George Wyth State Park) offers kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, pedal boats, tubes and floating water mats for rent. Cook’s Outdoors (located at 1910 Center Street) offers kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats for rent at Big Woods Lake in Cedar Falls. UNI Outdoors (located at the Wellness and Recreation Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus) offers canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, camping equipment and winter sports equipment.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Cedar Valley Trails also connect to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail which is a 67-mile trail connecting Evansdale to Cedar Rapids/Ely. Both are part of the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail with the northernmost point located in George Wyth State Park.
The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is also part of the 3,700+ mile Great American Rail-Trail linking Washington State to Washington D.C. The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy highlighted the Cedar Valley Nature Trail in a blog post.
Cedar Valley Trails Interactive Map
New for 2022 is an interactive map of the Cedar Valley Trails. The map may be used in conjunction with the Cedar Valley Trails & Recreation Guide. Download the Cedar Valley Trails Interactive Map and start exploring the Cedar Valley Trails!
Request a Trails & Recreation Guide
Request a Trails & Recreation Guide (map to Cedar Valley Trails). Or, view a PDF of the map. If you prefer, pick up a copy at local hotels or stop at the Cedar Falls Visitor Center located at 6510 Hudson Road. The guides are available 24/7 in our vestibule.
Choose Your Adventure
Whether it’s a one mile stroll around Prairie Lakes, a 10-mile paddle through George Wyth State Park, or a day of biking the Cedar Valley Trails, a variety of adventures can be enjoyed on our trails year-round!
Want to find more Things to Do, Places to Stay or Places to Eat & Drink while you're in Cedar Falls? Stop by or call the Cedar Falls Visitor Center. We're located at 6510 Hudson Road and our phone number is 319-268-4266.
We'd be happy to help!
#WeKnowHowToWeekend every day of the week!
(Trailhead at the Cedar Falls Visitor Center)
