3 Best Hiking Trails in Cedar Rapids, IA

“Indian Creek Nature Center features scenic trails, educational events, and sustainable buildings with exhibits. The elevation gain on the trail is 12 meters. The trail takes an average of 28 minutes to complete. The center's mission is to create a more sustainable future through environmental education and provide leadership in land preservation. The Nature Center offers a variety of year-round nature-based programming for people of all ages. At Indian Creek Nature Center, you can hike miles of trails through 200 acres of wetlands, riparian forests, maple sugarbush, tallgrass prairies, and oak savannas. The Nature Center manages 55 acres of hardwood trees in nearby Vency Woods. The trail offers activities like hiking, trail running, bird watching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fishing, allowing you to explore the land in various phases of ecological restoration.”

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“Palisades-Kepler State Park is a beautiful outdoor destination with a scenic environment. Visitors can hike five miles of rugged trails at Palisades-Kepler, taking them through diverse wildlife and forest habitats. In the spring, various wildflowers can be spotted along the trails. Dramatic river bluffs, deep ravines, beautiful hardwood trees, and abundant wildlife characterize the area. Native American Indian mounds record the park's early history. Walkers can typically observe multiple species along the six miles of trails, including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. Many people use the beach area to play in the Cedar River. Visitors can enjoy the area along the river, with beautiful bluffs visible across the river. Adjacent to the campground, some cabins can be rented. The park is located 17 miles from Cedar Rapids.”

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“Lake Macbride State Park has an accessible fishing dock, twelve jetties, a 24-hour fishing area, seven boat ramps, and a boat rental facility. The boat rental facility includes a concession stand and is located near the park's beach. The park also offers 7 miles (11 kilometers) of hiking and multi-use paths that wind through woodlands and restored prairie. One trail connects the park to Solon, while another links the beach to Lake Macbride's dam. The park also has a modern campground with electric campsites, a primitive campground, and a day-use lodge.”

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