Des Moines: Cedar River Greenbelt Trail
Hear the deep calls of trumpeter swans on this 7.8-mile hike along a wild river corridor to limestone cliffs, prairies, and wooded hills where coyotes, deer, and turkey roam.
| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Iowa featured hikes / reader trips
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Des Moines: North Skunk RiverBelieve us: Nothing stinks about this place. This 5-mile out-and-back along the greenbelt of the North Skunk River is teaming with wildlife and migrating waterfowl. Des Moines, IA: Zirbel's TrailEnjoy a quiet escape, plus fine lake and forest views, when you travel along the scenic Winnebago River on this 6.3-mile loop to an old brewery site and rock quarry. Des Moines: Jester Park Lake Shore RouteThis great 5-mile lasso-loop links up several trails and is the best way to explore the NW end of Saylorville Lake.
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Hikes and Trips in US CitiesUse our comprehensive city-specific pages to find hikes near your hometown or in a city you're planning to visit. Top 3: Native Art HikesExplore burial effigies, seven-foot petroglyphs, and images etched in lava as you discover the ultimate mix of manmade and natural beauty. Best Backpacking In IowaOur comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Iowa. |
Yellow River State ForestThink Iowa is nothing but flat? You haven't visited the Yellow River State Forest. |
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Gear Lab: Boots Torture TestCan any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out. |
Gear Lab: Tents Torture TestWho wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top. |
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Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.
Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.
Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.
Hiking Hip Deep in Florida's Swamps
Get your feet (and more) wet on the Florida Trail's best section.
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