Iowa

Patrick and Shevonne Travers on a trail trip through the Midwest | Photo courtesy Patrick and Shevonne Travers

Exploring Midwestern Marvels Along the Great American Rail-Trail With the Traverses

Posted 10/05/23 by Shevonne and Pat Travers in Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Iowa, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips

We thrive on these adventures—appreciating the unknown, the unexpected and the unique individuals we meet along the way. Being on our bicycles provides us with a sense of freedom and a way to stay attuned to the present moment.

Washington's Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo by TrailLink user stevelee73

Five Leaf-Peeping Destinations Along the Great American Rail-Tail

Posted 10/26/22 by Agueda Pacheco Flores in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Washington

While the warmth of the long summer days may be behind us, the beauty of the outdoors is not. More than half the trees across North America will morph into bright orange, yellow and deep red as fall comes into full swing.

Monona Terrace along Wisconsin's Capital City State Trail | Photo courtesy Travel Wisconsin

5 Rail-Trails to Awe at the Architecture

Posted 09/30/22 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails | Tagged with Caracara, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Trail Destinations, Washington, Wisconsin

From stunning Victorian homes to industrial factories from a bygone era to structures designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright—no matter your architectural penchant—you’re sure to find a building (or two, or three) to gawk at while traversing these rail-trails.

Shevonne and Pat Travers | Photo courtesy Shevonne and Pat Travers

Best Of: Great American Rail-Trail Adventures With the Traverses

Posted 09/12/22 by Shevonne and Pat Travers in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington

In June 2021, my husband, Pat, and I began our trek on the Great American Rail-Trail® in Seattle, Washington, at the western end of the 3,700-mile developing route.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska | Photo by Matthew Nissen

20 Iconic Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in America

Posted 06/08/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Florida, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Spring News from the State Legislatures

Posted 04/06/22 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with California, Colorado, Funding, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, RAISE, South Carolina, State and Federal Programs, Virginia

Depending on where you live, this time of year may mean the prolonged dregs of winter, early signs of Spring, or some variation on “mud season.” But for most of the country—regardless of climate or geography—it’s also the height of the state legislative season. Most states’ general assemblies are part-time, and generally convene in the early part of each calendar year. All but a handful of states are currently in session. So what does this mean for trails and active transportation funding in states?

Iowa's High Trestle Trail | Photo by TrailLink user dj123_45

Top 10 Trails in Iowa

Posted 11/05/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Iowa, Top10, Trail Destinations

In 1856, the first trains to ever cross the mighty Mississippi River entered Davenport, Iowa, ushering in a new wave of east-west travel across the burgeoning nation. Today, Iowa offers more than 900 miles of trail built along former railroad corridors, a result of its long history of leadership in trail development, including being the first state in the nation to put the Railbanking Act of 1983 to use. Looking forward, many of these routes are being utilized for the Great American Rail-Trail™, a developing 3,700-mile route across the country. Some of these amazing rail-trails are highlighted below along with other outstanding multiuse trails that showcase the beautiful terrain and welcoming communities of the state.

Perry's depot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail | Courtesy Raccoon River Valley Trail Association

Iowa’s Raccoon River Valley Trail

Posted 09/10/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Iowa, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

In pastoral west-central Iowa, the Raccoon River Valley Trail has won this year’s blue-ribbon prize: entrance into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The 89-mile pathway garnered some 16,000 votes in the national competition—a figure larger than the population of most of the small towns along its route, several home to fewer than 300 people.

The stunning 22-mile NorPac trail in Idaho and Montana, is a host trail of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail. | Photo by TrailLink user cstineyb

Great American Rail-Trail: Long-Distance Adventures

Posted 05/07/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Tourism , Trail Destinations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bicycle purchases have surged, and trail use around the country has seen a sustained uptick of more than 50% over previous years. Being outside has helped millions to cope, buoying support—and demand for—projects like the developing 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail, the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail. Here are just a few of the long-distance outdoor adventures to be found along this unique and vital route between Washington State and Washington, D.C.

Heartland Trail in Ohio | Courtesy Rails-to-Trails of Wayne County

2021 Trail Grants Awardees Support Community Connections On and Off Trails

Posted 03/15/21 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Building Trails | Tagged with Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington

RTC has announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding a total of $145,000 to support 11 trail projects across the country that have been strategically designed to support local and regional economic, health, social, environmental and active transportation goals.

Pennsylvania's Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Photo courtesy Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

Eight Urban Experiences Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 08/10/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington, Wyoming

The Great American Rail-Trail, covering some 3,700 miles across the country, will be accessible by nearly 50 million people within 50 miles of the route. Here is a sampling of some of the unique close-to-home experiences that city dwellers along the way can already enjoy.