Polk County Trail Maps, IA | Trailmonger

About trails in Polk County, Iowa

Polk County has 348 named trails on the map, covering 782 miles in total, an average of 2.2 miles per trail. That is the 2nd largest mapped trail network among 58 counties in Iowa. 104 of them are tagged for hiking and 290 for mountain biking.

The longest single trail is Neal Smith Trail, at 73.1 miles. 34 trails run 5 miles or longer. Mapped points of interest in the county include 51 campsites, 2 waterfalls, and 43 boat launches. The nearest towns to these trails are Johnston, Des Moines, and Granger.

What the trails in Polk County are like

By length, 222 are under a mile, 92 run 1 to 5 miles, and 34 are 5 miles or longer. 24 are loops, ending where they start; the longest is Gay Lea Wilson Trail East, at 15.0 miles.

Of the 348 with measured elevation, Levee Trail climbs the most, about 860 ft.

Explore by activity

Mountain biking

348All trails

104Hiking 290Mountain biking

782Total miles

51Campsites

43Boat launches

2Waterfalls

Neal Smith TrailHike73.1 mi Gay Lea Wilson Trail WestMTB27.2 mi Martin Luther King Junior TrailHikeMTB26.9 mi Gay Lea Wilson TrailHikeMTB26.3 mi Denmans Mountain Bike TrailHikeMTB24.9 mi Dragoon Trail - Boone to Des MoinesHike21.5 mi Dragoon Trail - Through Des MoinesHike16.7 mi Levee TrailHikeMTB16.0 mi Inter-Urban TrailHike15.9 mi Gay Lea Wilson Trail EastMTB15.0 mi Clive Greenbelt TrailHikeMTB14.9 mi Lakeshore TrailHike14.9 mi Mark C. Ackelson TrailHike14.4 mi Carl Voss TrailHike14.2 mi Meredith TrailHike13.3 mi Kruidenier TrailHikeMTB12.2 mi Trestle to Trestle TrailHike11.4 mi Oralabor Gateway TrailHike10.5 mi Raccoon River Park TrailHike10.0 mi Bill Riley TrailHike9.7 mi Walnut Creek TrailMTB9.6 mi Colby Woods TrailHike9.2 mi Johnston Interurban TrailHikeMTB8.4 mi Beaver Creek TrailMTB8.1 mi Low Line TrailMTB7.5 mi John Pat Dorrian TrailHike7.2 mi Principal RiverwalkHike7.1 mi Hillside Mountain Bike TrailHike6.4 mi Easter Lake Spine TrailHike6.1 mi Top Shelf TrailHike6.1 mi Jordan Creek TrailMTB5.4 mi bicycleMTB5.3 mi Rollercoaster Mountain Bike TrailHike5.3 mi Orlabor Gateway TrailHikeMTB5.2 mi Northwest Beaver Drive SidepathMTB4.8 mi Northwest 62nd Avenue SidepathMTB4.7 mi Ingersoll Avenue BicyclewayMTB4.5 mi Waveland TrailMTB4.5 mi Beaver Creek Greenbelt TrailMTB4.4 mi Lake LoopMTB4.2 mi East Army Post Road Bicycle LaneMTB4.2 mi Southeast Army Post Road Bicycle LaneMTB4.2 mi Northwest 70th Avenue SidepathMTB4.1 mi Karras-Kaul Connector TrailHikeMTB3.9 mi Indianola Avenue TrailMTB3.5 mi Indianola AvenueMTB3.4 mi Indianola Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB3.4 mi Low LineHikeMTB3.4 mi Swan SongMTB3.3 mi SkywalkHike3.1 mi Harry Piper Parkway TrailMTB3.1 mi North LoopHike3.0 mi Green Meadows TrailsMTB3.0 mi Meredith Drive SidepathMTB2.8 mi footHike2.8 mi Top ShelfHikeMTB2.7 mi Gray's Station TrailHike2.7 mi Beaver Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB2.6 mi Fuller Road Bicycle LanesMTB2.6 mi Martin Luther King Junior ParkwayMTB2.6 mi Merle Hay Road SidepathMTB2.5 mi 50th Street TrailHikeMTB2.5 mi Pump Track LoopHikeMTB2.4 mi Southwest 14th Street Bicycle LanesMTB2.4 mi South James Street SidepathMTB2.3 mi Northwest 100th Street SidepathMTB2.2 mi Riverview Park TrailMTB2.2 mi Chautauqua Valley TrailHikeMTB2.2 mi Hickory Ridge TrailHike2.1 mi J11 Mountain Bike TrailHikeMTB2.1 mi Sycamore TrailHikeMTB2.1 mi Vine Street Bicycle LanesMTB2.1 mi MacRae Park TrailMTB2.0 mi 2nd Avenue SidepathHikeMTB2.0 mi Douglas Avenue SidepathMTB2.0 mi Low Life LoopHike2.0 mi University Avenue BicyclewayMTB2.0 mi High Life LoopHikeMTB2.0 mi Valley Cyclocross CourseHike1.9 mi Southeast Polk Cross Country CourseHike1.9 mi Northwest 86th Street SidepathMTB1.9 mi 6th Avenue TrailMTB1.9 mi Terra Park TrailsMTB1.9 mi South Drive Recreation TrailMTB1.8 mi Youngstown Bike TrailHikeMTB1.8 mi Holiday Park TrailMTB1.8 mi Purgatory TrailHikeMTB1.8 mi Gay Lea Wilson Trail Extension1.7 mi Grimes South Sports Complex TrailsMTB1.7 mi Grand Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB1.7 mi Pioneer Parkway SidepathMTB1.6 mi Woodland Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB1.5 mi Long Meadow Drive Greenbelt TrailMTB1.5 mi McHenry Park TrailHike1.5 mi Otter TrailHike1.4 mi Northeast Beaverbrook Boulevard SidepathMTB1.4 mi Locust Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.4 mi Poolside TrailMTB1.4 mi Central Place Levee TrailHikeMTB1.4 mi 28th Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.4 mi Indianola Avenue SidepathMTB1.4 mi Southeast 19th Street SidepathMTB1.4 mi Ewing Park Nature TrailsHike1.3 mi Wilderness LoopHike1.3 mi Franklin Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB1.3 mi West Lakes TrailMTB1.3 mi 100th Street SidepathMTB1.3 mi Grimes North Sports Complex TrailsMTB1.3 mi Pomerantz Family TrailMTB1.3 mi Augustine TrailMTB1.2 mi Fresh CutMTB1.2 mi Urbandale Avenue SidepathMTB1.2 mi North James Street SidepathMTB1.1 mi 39th Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.1 mi Walnut Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.1 mi Squirrel's Nest Mountain Bike TrailHikeMTB1.1 mi Fox Run TrailHike1.1 mi Prairie View Drive Bicycle LanesMTB1.1 mi Owl TrailHikeMTB1.1 mi Great Western Connector1.1 mi Northeast Edgewood Drive SidepathMTB1.1 mi 4th Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.0 mi West 1st Street SidepathMTB1.0 mi East 1st Street SidepathMTB1.0 mi Northpark Drive SidepathMTB1.0 mi Aurora Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB1.0 mi Riverview Park Walking LoopHikeMTB1.0 mi Beaverbrooke Greenway TrailMTB1.0 mi 35th Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.0 mi Northview Park TrailMTB1.0 mi Southwoods Park Singletrack Course: Green LoopMTB1.0 mi Maple Street Bicycle LanesMTB1.0 mi Northwest Urbandale Drive SidepathMTB1.0 mi 9th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.9 mi Northwest 106th Street SidepathMTB0.9 mi Southwoods Park Singletrack Course: Fire Line Nature TrailMTB0.9 mi 128th Street SidepathMTB0.9 mi Oak Park/Highland Park BikewayMTB0.9 mi Easter Lake Connector TrailsHikeMTB0.9 mi Cardinal Flower TrailHike0.9 mi North Glenn TrailsMTB0.9 mi Meredith Trail Service SpurHikeMTB0.9 mi Meadowlark South TrailMTB0.9 mi Northwest 128th Street SidepathMTB0.9 mi Red Cedar TrailHike0.8 mi Youngstown TrailHikeMTB0.8 mi Chevalia Valley Greenway TrailMTB0.8 mi Westwood Drive Bicycle LanesMTB0.8 mi Birdland Drive Bicycle LanesMTB0.8 mi Pond TrailHike0.8 mi Scenic Valley Park TrailMTB0.8 mi Jack Pine TrailHike0.8 mi Meredith to Bill Riley TrailHikeMTB0.8 mi Lew Clarkson Park TrailsMTB0.8 mi Northeast Gateway Drive SidepathMTB0.8 mi Whitmer Park Connector TrailMTB0.8 mi 42nd Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.8 mi Northwest 66th Avenue SidepathMTB0.8 mi Southeast Gateway Drive SidepathMTB0.8 mi Southeast 6th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.8 mi Lower Beaver Road Bike LaneMTB0.8 mi Easter Lake Service SpurMTB0.8 mi Windsor Parkway SidepathMTB0.8 mi University Boulevard SidepathMTB0.8 mi Campbell Recreation Area TrailsMTB0.7 mi Guthrie Avenue SidepathMTB0.7 mi Taylor Estates Greenway TrailMTB0.7 mi Parkview Greenway TrailMTB0.7 mi Northwest Brookside Drive SidepathMTB0.7 mi 5th Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB0.7 mi Camper's Loop TrailHike0.7 mi Eastown Park TrailHike0.7 mi Knolls Greenway TrailHikeMTB0.7 mi Urbandale StoryWalkHike0.7 mi Around the BlockHikeMTB0.7 mi Johnston Town Center SidepathsMTB0.7 mi DeVotie TrailHike0.7 mi Pointe Vista Park TrailsMTB0.7 mi Northglenn Drive SidepathMTB0.6 mi Martin Luther King Junior Trail - NorthMTB0.6 mi River Ridge Road SidepathMTB0.6 mi Rhythm Mountain Bike TrailHikeMTB0.6 mi Golfview Park North TrailMTB0.6 mi Carl Voss Trail Service SpurMTB0.6 mi Long Meadow Drive GreenbeltHikeMTB0.6 mi Beaverbrooke West Greenway TrailMTB0.6 mi Harbach BoulevardMTB0.6 mi Crocker Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.6 mi Southwest Brookside Drive SidepathMTB0.6 mi Northwest 59th Court SidepathMTB0.6 mi Northview Wetlands Greenbelt TrailMTB0.6 mi Brook Ridge Estates Greenbelt TrailMTB0.5 mi Northwest 93rd Street SidepathMTB0.5 mi Northwest Newgate Drive SidepathMTB0.5 mi Foxboro Road SidepathMTB0.5 mi Southeast Keystone Drive SidepathMTB0.5 mi Northwest 103rd Street SidepathMTB0.5 mi Ingersoll Avenue SidepathMTB0.5 mi Glen Eagles Park TrailMTB0.5 mi Gateway TrailHike0.5 mi Casady Drive Bicycle LanesMTB0.5 mi Vista Drive Bicycle LanesMTB0.5 mi DeVotie Loop TrailHike0.5 mi Mercy Wellness Center TrailsMTB0.5 mi Cohen Park Walking LoopHikeMTB0.5 mi Weeks Park 1/2 Mile Walking LoopHikeMTB0.5 mi 13th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.5 mi Riverwoods Avenue SidepathMTB0.5 mi East Court Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB0.5 mi Birdland Park TrailMTB0.5 mi Millside Greenbelt TrailMTB0.5 mi Meadow Park TrailsMTB0.5 mi Southeast Little Beaver Drive SidepathMTB0.5 mi South Karen Acres Park TrailMTB0.5 mi Ingersoll Ave SidepathHikeMTB0.5 mi Morningside Drive SidepathMTB0.5 mi Cross Creek Park East TrailMTB0.5 mi Railroad Avenue TrailHikeMTB0.5 mi Meredith Trail SpurMTB0.5 mi Cross Creek West TrailMTB0.5 mi Parkview Greenbelt West TrailMTB0.5 mi Valley Junction / Levee Trail ConnectionHikeMTB0.5 mi Cherry Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.5 mi West Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.5 mi Greenwood Hills GreenbeltHikeMTB0.5 mi Greenwood Hills Greenbelt TrailMTB0.5 mi Southwest 5th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.4 mi Preparation LoopHike0.4 mi Crossroads Park TrailHikeMTB0.4 mi Colby Woods Park South TrailMTB0.4 mi Savanna TrailHike0.4 mi Prairie Creek Greenway TrailMTB0.4 mi Clive Aquatic Center TrailsMTB0.4 mi Sunflower Park TrailMTB0.4 mi 12th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.4 mi Stagecoach TrailHike0.4 mi University Avenue TrailMTB0.4 mi Cottage Grove Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB0.4 mi Southwest 11th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.4 mi Yard SaleHikeMTB0.4 mi Powell Avenue SidepathMTB0.4 mi Backpacker TrailHike0.4 mi Golfview Park South TrailMTB0.4 mi Valley Parkway SidepathMTB0.4 mi Lower Beaver Road SidepathMTB0.4 mi Walnut Ridge Senior Living Community TrailMTB0.4 mi Beaverbrooke West Neighborhood TrailsMTB0.4 mi Timberline Park TrailMTB0.4 mi Blank Park Zoo TrailMTB0.4 mi Northwest Beaverbrook Boulevard SidepathMTB0.4 mi Cross Creek Park West TrailMTB0.4 mi 52nd Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.4 mi Northeast 5th Street SidepathMTB0.4 mi Northeast 18th Street SidepathMTB0.4 mi New York Avenue StreetpathMTB0.3 mi Northwest 49th Street SidepathMTB0.3 mi Parkview Greenbelt Central TrailMTB0.3 mi Sunny Hill Cemetery Greenway TrailMTB0.3 mi Northwest Johnston Drive SidepathMTB0.3 mi Karp Park TrailMTB0.3 mi Adventure Ridge Park TrailMTB0.3 mi Peckham Street SidepathMTB0.3 mi Neal Smith Trail SpurMTB0.3 mi Sharon Heights Park TrailMTB0.3 mi Northwest 107th Street SidepathMTB0.3 mi Colby Woods TrailsMTB0.3 mi Northview Estates Park TraillMTB0.3 mi Northwest 57th Avenue SidepathMTB0.3 mi Colby Woods Park North TrailMTB0.3 mi Ashton Pointe Conservation Easement TrailMTB0.3 mi Windsor Park TrailMTB0.3 mi Scott Avenue Bicycle LanesMTB0.3 mi Days Run Greenbelt TrailMTB0.3 mi Tuttle Street BikewayMTB0.3 mi Sutton Drive SidepathMTB0.3 mi Parkview Greenbelt East TrailMTB0.3 mi Indianola Side PathHikeMTB0.3 mi Days Run Open Space TrailMTB0.3 mi North Karen Acres Park TrailMTB0.3 mi Roosevelt Access TrailHikeMTB0.3 mi Kiwanis Park TrailHikeMTB0.3 mi Lakeview Park East TrailMTB0.3 mi Waveland Trail Service SpurMTB0.3 mi Northeast Little Beaver Drive SidepathMTB0.3 mi Meredith Hills Greenbelt TrailMTB0.3 mi 28th Street PlazaHike0.3 mi Railroad Ave TrailHikeMTB0.3 mi Cross Creek Park Central TrailMTB0.2 mi Laurel hill Park PathHike0.2 mi Claiborne Circle Greenbelt TrailMTB0.2 mi Southwest 10th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.2 mi Southwest 15th Street TrailMTB0.2 mi Easter Lake Spine Trail Service SpurMTB0.2 mi Southeast 6th Street SidepathMTB0.2 mi Northwood TrailMTB0.2 mi Meredith Park TrailMTB0.2 mi Lakeview Park West TrailMTB0.2 mi Heritage Elementary School TrailMTB0.2 mi 15th Street Bicycle LanesMTB0.2 mi Iowa Women of Achievement BridgeHikeMTB0.2 mi

Trails by town in Polk County

9 trails nearby

5 trails nearby

More Iowa counties

3 trails · 0.6 mi

Montgomery County

3 trails · 27.8 mi

Muscatine County

7 trails · 54.0 mi

Pottawattamie County

66 trails · 97.0 mi

15 trails · 45.2 mi

12 trails · 12.9 mi

388 trails · 597 mi

160 trails · 296 mi

86 trails · 145 mi

← All of Iowa

Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap contributors, licensed ODbL. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Compiled and published by Trailmonger · trail data last rebuilt September 24, 2026.