How to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Cedar Valley, Iowa
Get your fill of year-round outdoor activities in Cedar Valley, from glamping and biking to kayaking and snowmobiling.
No matter the time of year, the Cedar Valley provides a welcoming area for outdoor enthusiasts, who realize that there is never a lull when it comes to enjoying the region’s natural playground. Here’s a look at some of the outstanding outdoor activities in Cedar Valley.
The area prides itself on its trails, which offer a wide range of activities and often connect to each other. Roger White, volunteer coordinator with Cedar Valley Trails Partnership, says the region offers so many mixed-use trails that it’s hard to pick a favorite of the more than 120 miles of trails the organization promotes and helps maintain.
“They are a great way to get out in nature,” White says. “There are so many attractions within 10 miles of where we are here that are trails or parks related.”
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Trails for Every Season
Trails offer recreation for bikers, joggers, hikers and even snowmobilers, snowshoers or fat-tire riders during the winter months.
The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is the area’s longest and spans four counties and 52 miles. While riding the Cedar Valley, riders can hop onto other trails in the area as well, which means every ride can be something different.
“You can ride all the way to Iowa City on trails from Cedar Falls,” White says. “The planners over the years have focused on connecting them.”
Go the Distance!
If you think trails connecting several counties are cool, how about the nation? Two nationwide trails make their way through the Cedar Valley including The American Discovery Trail and the burgeoning Great American Rail-Trail.
One of the newest area trails is the TRIBE Trail, connecting two trails in New Hampton. There’s also the Big Woods Trail, which makes its way along Big Woods Lake in Black Hawk County. “That’s one of the best-equipped facilities for camping,” White says.
Or, hit the 12-mile crushed limestone Pioneer Trail, a path that stretches from Reinbeck to Holland (with a jaunt through the county seat of Grundy Center) along a former rail line.
The Rolling Prairie Trail, a 21-mile paved rail-to-trail in Butler County, connects four communities, and offers two campgrounds on the trail, along with miles of shaded tree canopy, scenic river bridges and seasonal prairie landscapes.
For Campers or Glampers
The region’s two state parks – George Wyth State Park (Black Hawk County) and Heery Woods State Park (Butler County) – offer trails, wildlife viewing and a bounty of other outdoor fun options. There are also campsites outfitted with easy access to those attractions, electricity and shower houses.
For a more luxurious form of camping, Three Pines Farm is an ag-tourism site that offers an unforgettable night under the stars.
“We have an exclusive glamping site on the back piece of our prairie property where guests can get immersed in nature,” says Kara Grupp, Three Pines Farm operator. “There are some grassy mowed-down hiking trails and amazing sunsets to appreciate.”
The glamping experience at Three Pines Farm includes access to a golf cart, a spacious Australian tent, linen bedding, a portable telescope, a firepit, an outdoor heated shower and a patio lounge.
“Guests receive a charcuterie breakfast delivered to them each morning, and there is portable air conditioning with a battery pack, along with rechargeable lights and solar generators if you need power,” Grupp says. “We allow only one reservation at a time for the glamping site to keep its privacy, and we have received great feedback from guests.”
River Runs Through It
Water trails are increasing in popularity across the country, and the Cedar Valley is keeping pace.
The Cedar River and Black Hawk Creek were named river trails by the state in 2022. The Wapsipinicon River Water Trail in Buchanan County, known as the “Wapsi,” flows from Dunkerton to Independence, with many access points.
“We are pretty lucky to have those rivers all going through our area,” says Darrin Siefken, owner of CrawDaddy Outdoors in Waverly. “There’s a lot of access along those rivers [as well as] wildlife and good scenery.”
White loves the serenity of the ride along the water trails. “It’s so peaceful,” White says. “You sit back, hear the birds and the insects, and enjoy nature.”
There’s an overarching feeling in the Cedar Valley to continue the momentum of outdoor amenities as the future looks even brighter. The Cedar River Marina in Waterloo is under construction and will include docks for boats and a walking path with waterfront access.
Also in the works is the Cedar River Experience project, which will create a stunning park along the river in Cedar Falls. The park will include whitewater features and offer activities such as fishing, hiking and bicycling.
Hands-on Learning Experiences
Even in the city, residents of the Cedar Valley can immerse themselves in nature. That is especially true when visiting a pair of popular attractions in Black Hawk County.
In the City of Cedar Falls, Hartman Reserve Nature Center is a 340-acre outdoor refuge dedicated to teaching children about nature through hands-on experiences. The main building at the reserve is an interpretive center that features exhibits on all the live animals found at the reserve, including white-tailed deer, foxes, mallards, bald eagles and wild turkeys. Hartman Reserve also has more than 6 miles of walking trails, both paved and unpaved.
In the City of Waterloo, Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens was founded in 1996 with a mission to enhance the quality of life for citizens through horticulture. The arboretum is on 40 acres directly east of Hawkeye Community College. Highlights include a welcome center, rose garden, 1-mile walking path and a children’s garden that has a railroad setup, dinosaur dig and peek-a-boo forest.
– Staff Writer Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.
Get to Know the Cedar Valley
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