Map of the Raccoon Valley Trail
Raccoon River Valley Trail
Raccoon River Valley Trail
LENGTH:
89 miles
SURFACE:
paved
COMMUNITIES:
Clive, Wuakee, Dallass Center, Perry, Dawson, Jamaica, Cooper, Jefferson, Yale, Panora, Linden, Redfield, Adel.
HIGHLIGHTS:
rail trail, Iowa countryside, small towns, trestle bridges,
NEARBY TRAILS:
Clive Greenbelt Trail
RELATED LINKS:
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is located to the northwest of the Des Moines Urban Area. It consists of 89 miles of paved pathway that passes through 14 communities and three counties. The south end of the trail is located in Clive on the northwest side of the city. The trail splits into two routes then joins again west of the town of Jamaica. One it the routes heads north to the community of Perry. The other route heads west to Redfield then north through Panora. The trail ends at Jefferson near Highway 30. There is a fee associated with using the trail.
Much of the Raccoon River Valley Trail was constructed along abandoned railroad beds and travels through the beautiful Iowa countryside, past farmland and small rural communities. The route includes historic railroad structures and across trestle bridges, through the forest canopy and along wide open countryside.
Conditions
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is paved for the entire route. The trail is open for bike riding, running and walking. The grades are gentle, the route is fairly straight and there are relatively few road crossings.
Communities
The Raccoon River Valley Trail travels through the following communities: Clive, Wuakee, Dallass Center, Perry, Dawson, Jamaica, Cooper, Jefferson, Yale, Panora, Linden, Redfield and Adel.
Points of Interest
The Raccoon River Valley Trail goes past the following points of interest:
| Clive Greenbelt Trail |
| Waukee Family YMCA |
| Island Park |
| railroad trestles across the Raccoon River |
| Sportsmens Park |
| Greene County High School |
| Greene County Elementary School |
| Jefferson Softball Park |
| Lake Panorama |
End Points
The south end of the Raccoon River Valley Trail is located southwest of the intersection of Hickman Road and Northwest 128th Street in the City of Clive on the northwest side of Des Moines. At this location, the Raccoon River Valley Trail intersects the Clive Green Belt Trail. The Raccoon River Valley Trail then heads north the west to follow alongside Hickman Road. At the community of Waukee, just east of 10th Street, the Raccoon River Valley Trail splits. One spur heads to the north and takes a direct shot to the community of Perry, then heads to the west where the two spurs join just west of Jamaica.
The other spur of the trail continues running alongside Hickman Road to the community of Adel. West of Adel it travels across open countryside to the community of Redfield, then northwest through Linden and Panora. At Panora the Raccoon River Valley Trail heads straight north to the junction of the two spurs near Jamaica. The single trail then continues north to go through Cooper and then end at Jefferson.
The north end of the Raccoon River Valley Trail is located at E. State Street in Jefferson where there is a trailhead with parking and restrooms. This location is very near Jefferson Softball Park.
Resources
Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Central Iowa.
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