Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Staff Parking

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Staff Parking

Moderate

5.0

(4892)

7,949

riders

Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Staff Parking

02:25

40.6km

180m

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: April 21, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

8.84 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

21.1 km

Des Moines River

Highlight • River

Along the Des Moines River, Iowa's largest river, you'll find a wealth of culture, tradition, and recreational opportunities. Here, and along most of the trail, you'll enjoy stunning views, making it perfect for adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Tip by

21.2 km

Neal Smith Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Neal Smith Trail is a 26-mile trail through Des Moines along the Des Moines River. It is fully paved and traffic free, so it is a great way to move through the heavily populated city.

Tip by

23.3 km

Neal Smith Trail Recreation Area

Nature Reserve

31.4 km

Des Moines River

Highlight • River

The Des Moines River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, as well as the largest river in Iowa. Historically, the river has a rich history of culture, tradition, recreation and adventure.

Tip by

40.6 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

35.9 km

2.97 km

1.35 km

256 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

29.3 km

10.9 km

318 m

< 100 m

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

-- %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: -- km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Edit route

Download GPX

Move start point

Embed on a website

Report an Issue

Nearby routes

Easy

Raccoon River Valley Trail: Waukee to Minburn

01:08h

20.3km

30m

Hard

3.0

Raccoon River Valley Trail Loop

06:22h

113km

250m

Hard

4.5

Chichaqua Valley Trail

05:24h

94.9km

340m

Easy

4.7

Summerset Trail

01:53h

33.2km

90m

Easy

5.0

Mark C. Ackelson Trail

00:31h

8.65km

20m

Moderate

5.0

Great Western Trail

03:48h

66.3km

250m

Moderate

Neal Smith Trail

03:30h

57.4km

280m

Moderate

Neal Smith Trail

04:56h

78.5km

350m

Hard

High Trestle Trail and Neal Smith Trail Loop

06:52h

116km

460m

Easy

Raccoon River Park Trail

00:19h

5.21km

10m

Easy

Meredith and Martin Luther King Trails

00:26h

7.49km

20m

Easy

Meredith Trail

00:44h

12.4km

40m

Neal Smith Trail – Des Moines River loop from Staff Parking

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Des Moines River

Neal Smith Trail

Des Moines River

Nearby routes

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️