Explore These Fun Outdoor Activities in Cedar Rapids, IA
Traverse the trails, swim the river or play ball in a region that invests heavily in outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Whether in the city, country or neighboring towns, the outdoors come alive in the Cedar Rapids region with opportunities to experience nature, stay active and soak in all of the beauty along the way. Be sure to check out the following outdoor activities in Cedar Rapids.
Meandering Waterways and Paths
The Cedar River carves a path through central Cedar Rapids, but also provides an outdoor lovers’ haven with boating, fishing and water sports throughout the area.
It’s also the namesake of the Cedar River Trail system, which at times neighbors the river and spans nearly 13 miles. It’s one of many trail systems in the area that are enjoyable, says local outdoor enthusiast Nicole Mead, who lives a little north of the city in Robins.
“When I moved to the area in 2005, I quickly fell in love with the trail system and biking,” Mead says. Mead loves the energy and community feel on the trails as she often spots people she knows. She also appreciates how the trails are interconnected and easily accessible. The trails provide an alternative transportation option, connecting nature to downtown restaurants and bars.
Other popular trail systems in the area include Boyson Trail, Cedar Greenbelt National Recreation Trail and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Linking Cedar Rapids and Marion is the CeMar Trail, with a new pedestrian bridge over Marion Boulevard near Thomas Park.
Pristine Parks
Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon offers scenic views of the Cedar River several miles downstream from Cedar Rapids. Stay overnight in one of the four family cabins at the campground, take on 5 miles of walking trails, and enjoy nature and wildlife along the way.
“Palisades-Kepler is nice for hiking,” Mead says.
In Linn County, parks are chock full of amenities from trails to campgrounds to scenic views. Wanatee Park is located just east of Cedar Rapids in Marion. It is a haven for outdoor recreation as it boasts nearly 1,000 acres featuring trails for hiking on foot, atop a bike or even horseback. It also provides a perfect setting for corporate or private events at either the Prairie Oak Lodge or Red Cedar Lodge.
Hop to the other side of Cedar Rapids and you’ll find Morgan Creek Park, just west of the city.
“Morgan Creek Park is my favorite county park,” says Tom Peffer, who is president of the Linn County Trails Association. “It has an amazing playground for kids, an arboretum and a new hard-surface trail throughout the park. It is also poised to be a hub for the soon-to-be-constructed Highway 100 Trail to the north and the recently constructed Cherokee Trail to the east.”
Also, don’t miss the Prairie Park Fishery, which features a 65-acre lake primed for fishing and a hard-surface trail that connects to the 7-mile Sac and Fox Trail. Speaking of connections, Indian Creek Nature Center on the east side of Cedar Rapids is all about connecting nature to its visitors. Mead loves the events Indian Creek hosts and that she can access the center from the Sac and Fox Trail.
“They just have a great place for the community,” Mead says.
Sports Galore
A major attraction that draws youth baseball teams and their fans from across the country is the Prospect Meadows Sports Complex, just northeast of Marion. It features eight regulation baseball fields, which opened in 2019, and has seen a steady increase in visitors every year.
“Last year, we had 127,000 people attend events here with an economic impact of $11 million,” says Jack Roeder, president and CEO of Prospect Meadows.
The pristine diamonds receive positive feedback from visiting teams, which keep coming back to participate in tournaments at Prospect Meadows. “We’ve had well over 20 states that have participated here including Hawaii,” Roeder says. “Hawaii has come here every year.”
It also features a Miracle Field, which hosts games for players with disabilities, allowing them a chance to get in the game. “We are proud of that,” Roeder says.
Get to Know Cedar Rapids
Want to learn more about living and working in Cedar Rapids, IA? Check out the latest edition of Livability Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
