Things to Do around Ames

Ames offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features 17 routes, with an average rating of 4.49 stars from more than 600 ratings.

Notable hiking opportunities in Ames include Ledges State Park, known for its rugged trails and scenic views of Pea's Creek Canyon. Ada Hayden Heritage Park offers expansive lake views and walking trails, while McFarland Park also provides multi-use trails. More details can be found in the Hiking around Ames guide.

Ames features an extensive paved trail network, including the High Trestle Trail, a 25-mile (40 km) route with a prominent bridge over the Des Moines River Valley. Sections of the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail also offer paved options. Explore more in the Road Cycling Routes around Ames guide.

Mountain biking options in Ames include trails within the Skunk River Greenbelt and McFarland Park. McFarland Park offers specific routes such as McFarland Multi-use, McFarland Multi-use Cutoff, and McFarland River Loop. Refer to the MTB Trails around Ames guide for more information.

Key natural attractions include Ledges State Park, known for its sandstone bluffs and ravines. Ada Hayden Heritage Park features a large lake and diverse ecosystems, popular for birdwatching. The Skunk River Greenbelt provides a natural corridor with woodlands and riverine landscapes.

Ames offers various options suitable for families and beginners. Ada Hayden Heritage Park provides accessible walking trails, and many paved sections of the High Trestle Trail are suitable for easy cycling. McFarland Park also has multi-use trails that cater to different skill levels.

Komoot offers several guides for Ames, including Hiking around Ames, Road Cycling Routes around Ames, MTB Trails around Ames, Cycling around Ames, Running Trails around Ames, and Gravel biking around Ames.

Outdoor activities in Ames are popular on komoot, with more than 8,000 visitors having explored the region. The routes have received over 600 ratings, resulting in an average rating of 4.49 out of 5 stars.

Ames offers outdoor activities throughout the year. The diverse trail systems and parks provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, and other sports across different seasons, with varying natural scenery.

Ames serves as a base for touring cyclists, connecting to longer regional trails. The High Trestle Trail extends through multiple towns, and the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail and Raccoon River Valley Trail are also accessible. Local bike shops support touring cyclists with services.

For general inquiries, the City Manager's Office can be reached at (515) 239-5101. The City Clerk's Office can be contacted at (515) 239-5105. Additional information is available on the official website, cityofames.org.

Ames supports various cycling disciplines, including Road cycling on its extensive paved trail network, Mountain biking on off-road trails in areas like Skunk River Greenbelt and McFarland Park, and Touring cycling on longer regional routes such as the High Trestle Trail. Gravel biking is also an option.