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Big Creek State Park – Neal Smith Trail loop from Staff Parking

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Big Creek State Park – Neal Smith Trail loop from Staff Parking

Moderate

3.2

(1)

riders

Big Creek State Park – Neal Smith Trail loop from Staff Parking

03:04

50.2km

260m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: March 18, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

12.9 km

Polk City Junction Oasis Gazebo

Highlight • Rest Area

This gazebo is a nice spot for a mid-ride break. The Oasis sits along the High Trestle trail and has a picnic table, water fountains, and restrooms.

Tip by

18.7 km

Big Creek State Park

Highlight • Lake

Big Creek State Park is a very popular park for cycling and hiking. Big Creek Lake, at the center of the park, is the largest lake in the Iowa State …

Tip by

27.7 km

Neal Smith Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The 26-mile Neal Smith Trail rolls along the banks of the Des Moines River through the Ding Darling Greenway conservation area and weaves its way through a variety of landscapes, …

Tip by

30.8 km

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

Highlight • Monument

Great views of the lake from the Neal Smith Trail as it passes over the Big Creek Barrier Dam. The dam was constructed to protect Polk City from flooding from Saylorville Lake.

Tip by

40.9 km

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

The Saylorville Lake Visitor Center is located at the southeast corner of the lake and offers a variety of scheduled events, a theater, several interactive displays, and a selection of maps. A butterfly garden is also a short walk away.

Tip by

41.1 km

Saylorville Dam

Highlight • Monument

Pause your ride at Saylorville Dam for scenic views. This dam on the Des Moines River in Iowa is only 11 miles upstream from Des Moines, offering a great place to hop off your bike and take a break!

Tip by

50.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

42.5 km

3.88 km

3.67 km

131 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

43.6 km

3.47 km

3.19 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (300 m)

Lowest point (240 m)

Weather

Sunday 17 May

28°C

16°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Big Creek State Park – Neal Smith Trail loop from Staff Parking

Polk City Junction Oasis Gazebo

Big Creek State Park

Neal Smith Trail

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Saylorville Dam

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