High Trestle Trail

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Location

Trailheads are located in the cities of Ankeny (Hawkeye Park, W?. 1st St.), Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid and Woodward (near intersection of N. Main St. and Railroad St.)

High Trestle Trail

804 W 1st St
Ankeny, IA 50023

Operating Hours & Seasons

Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all trails within PCCB lands. The only exceptions are for maintenance, law enforcement, and emergency vehicles. This restriction does not apply to a manual-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability, e.g. wheel chair.

Summer Hours (April 1 -October 31) | 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

The north side of Easter Lake Park is open sunrise to sunset year-round.
Fort Des Moines Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset year-round.

Winter Hours (November 1 - March 31) | Sunrise to sunset

High Trestle Trail Map

PCCB Park Rules

Discover High Trestle Trail in Ankeny

9.6 miles of this popular 25 mile trail from Ankeny to Woodward is managed by Polk County Conservation. The land that now rests beneath the High Trestle Trails was purchased in 1881 to establish the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Company. Union Pacific Railroad sold a 25-mile discontinued rail corridor that connects the cities of Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid, and Woodward to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation in 2005. The Foundation then transferred the corridor to nine public partners, including Polk County Conservation Board. The majority of the trail was paved in 2008. This trail segment is a major link in two 100-mile trail loops that meet near Des Moines. The western loop involves the Raccoon River Trail and Clive Greenbelt Trail. The eastern loop includes the Heart of Iowa Trail, Chichaqua Valley Trail and the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.