The Raccoon River Valley Trail uses the former right‐of‐way of a railroad built in the 1870s and early ’80s to connect the city of Des Moines with the Iowa Great Lakes region in the northwest part of the state. For more than 50 years, it was a popular rail line, taking many vacationers from central Iowa right to the shores of Storm Lake, the Okobojis and Big Spirit Lake.
In late 1987, the Central Iowa Energy Cooperative (CIECO), an affiliate of the Central Iowa Power Cooperative, purchased the right‐of‐way. Its new life as a recreational trail was about to begin. CIECO, the Iowa Trails Council, and the Conservation Boards from Dallas and Guthrie Counties came to an agreement in late ’87 to allow the development of a multi‐use trail on the right‐of‐way. In 1997 Greene County Conservation became a part of the consortium owning and operating the RRVT. At this time there are approximately 66 miles of hard surface trail completed and about 20 additional miles to be completed in 2012. This will complete the 86 mile loop.
Location
Fees
A permit is required by anyone 18 years and older. Permit envelopes are available at the trailheads on the trail or you may purchase one through the mail by sending a check to: Dallas County Conservation Board
14581 K Ave.
Perry, Iowa 50220
Daily permit: $2.00 per trail user.
Annual permit: $10.00 per calendar year.
Length
The Raccoon River Valley Trail (RRVT) is a 66 miles long multi-use recreational trail. It extends from the Clive Greenbelt Trail to Jefferson, and passes through the communities of Clive, Urbandale,Dallas Center, Waukee, Adel, Redfield, Linden, Panora, Yale, Herndon, Cooper, Jefferson, Dawson and Perry. Another 20 miles of trail will be completed in 2012.
Surface: Asphalt and Concrete
Grade: The Raccoon River Valley Trail is mostly flat, with only 1% to 2% grade.
Features
Trailheads:
•Waukee: Jct. of Hwy.6 & Co. Rd. R22 -- Restrooms, trail passes, maps, information
•Ortonville: Jct. of Hwy.6 and Co. Rd. R16 -- trail passes, maps, information, camping
•Adel: 18th St. parking lot -- restrooms, trail passes
•Redfield: Redfield Depot parking lot, north of Hwy. 6 -- restrooms, water, picnic tables, trail passes, maps, information, concessions
•Linden: Jct. of Co. Rd. P30 & city park -- restrooms, water, trail passes, concessions
•Panora: SE 6th St. just off Hwy. 44 -- picnic tables, restrooms (at nearby restaurant), water, trail passes
•Yale: SE edge of town on Co. Rd. F25 -- restrooms, picnic tables, water, trail passes, maps, information
•Herndon: Center of town, park on street. No city facilities.
•Cooper: Center of town, in scalehouse of former elevator, just off Co. Rd. E57 -- water, restrooms.
•Jefferson: Restored railroad depot at Co. Rd. E53 (old Hwy. 30) -- restrooms, water, historic interpretive displays.
•Dawson Depot: Restored railroad depot at 307 Railroad Ave -- restrooms
•Perry Depot: Restored railroad depot at the corner of 1st St. (Hwy 144) and Willis Ave: electronic kiosk and messenger board, brochures, maps, info about the Perry community
•Forest Park Museum: south of Perry on K Avenue -- museum, restrooms, water, picnic tables, trail passes, maps, brochures, Dallas County information