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Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Des Moines

Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Des Moines

Hard

4.9

(1592)

15,826

riders

Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Des Moines

05:19

82.2km

470m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very 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: March 16, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.65 km

Neal Smith Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Neal Smith Trail is a 26-mile trail through Des Moines along the Des Moines River. It is fully paved and traffic free, so it is a great way to move through the heavily populated city.

Tip by

6.47 km

Neal Smith Trail at Riverview Lake

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This section of the Neal Smith Trail skirts right along the river. It's very quiet and a nice ride. With no traffic to worry about, it's an ideal place to escape the city!

Tip by

7.82 km

Along the Des Moines River, Iowa's largest river, you'll find a wealth of culture, tradition, and recreational opportunities. Here, and along most of the trail, you'll enjoy stunning views, making it perfect for adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Tip by

13.7 km

Des Moines River

Highlight • River

The Des Moines River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, as well as the largest river in Iowa. Historically, the river has a rich history of culture, tradition, recreation and adventure.

Tip by

19.9 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

33.0 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

41.9 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

54.1 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

78.5 km

Neal Smith Trail Recreation Area

Nature Reserve

82.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

72.8 km

5.19 km

4.13 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

62.9 km

14.2 km

5.07 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (290 m)

Lowest point (240 m)

Weather

Sunday 17 May

28°C

17°C

25 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 30.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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 – Des Moines River loop from Des Moines

Neal Smith Trail

Neal Smith Trail at Riverview Lake

Des Moines River

Des Moines River

Saylorville Dam

Neal Smith Trail

Big Creek State Park

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

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