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Neal Smith Trail – Saylorville Dam loop from Staff Parking

Neal Smith Trail – Saylorville Dam loop from Staff Parking

Moderate

4.7

(8645)

14,226

riders

Neal Smith Trail – Saylorville Dam loop from Staff Parking

03:24

52.0km

270m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.47 km

Prairie Lakes

Highlight (Segment) • Lake

This paved path connects Northwest 18th Street with the High Trestle Trail, and along the way, you'll cross a quiet residential area with two small lakes where, by the way, swimming is not allowed.

Tip by

20.3 km

Big Creek State Park

Highlight • Lake

Big Creek State Park is a very popular park for cycling and hiking. Big Creek Lake, at the center of the park, is the largest lake in the Iowa State …

Tip by

25.1 km

Neal Smith Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The 26-mile Neal Smith Trail rolls along the banks of the Des Moines River through the Ding Darling Greenway conservation area and weaves its way through a variety of landscapes, …

Tip by

29.3 km

Neal Smith Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The 26-mile Neal Smith Trail rolls along the banks of the Des Moines River through the Ding Darling Greenway conservation area and weaves its way through a variety of landscapes, …

Tip by

32.5 km

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

Highlight • Monument

Great views of the lake from the Neal Smith Trail as it passes over the Big Creek Barrier Dam. The dam was constructed to protect Polk City from flooding from Saylorville Lake.

Tip by

42.7 km

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

The Saylorville Lake Visitor Center is located at the southeast corner of the lake and offers a variety of scheduled events, a theater, several interactive displays, and a selection of maps. A butterfly garden is also a short walk away.

Tip by

42.9 km

Saylorville Dam

Highlight • Monument

Pause your ride at Saylorville Dam for scenic views. This dam on the Des Moines River in Iowa is only 11 miles upstream from Des Moines, offering a great place to hop off your bike and take a break!

Tip by

52.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

36.9 km

11.4 km

3.74 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

39.9 km

8.82 km

3.38 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (300 m)

Lowest point (240 m)

Weather

Friday 29 May

29°C

18°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Neal Smith Trail – Saylorville Dam loop from Staff Parking

Prairie Lakes

Big Creek State Park

Neal Smith Trail

Neal Smith Trail

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Saylorville Dam

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