Prairie Land Trail


This 21-mile recreational corridor runs along an abandoned railroad bed from Apple Ave SW of Meservey to Nettle Ave SW of Mason City. Users of this area can expect scenic rural landscapes & summer prairie wildflowers. The area is accessible at points where it intersects rural county roads along the route. The parcel was acquired by the Iowa Dept of Transportation (IDOT) as a partial acquisition/donation from the Union Pacific Railroad and is covered by federal statutes that pertain to interim recreational use of such rail beds. The IDOT subsequently created an agreement to transfer the ownership to Cerro Gordo County for future recreational development.

Location

This 21-mile recreational corridor runs along an abandoned railroad bed from Apple Ave SW of Meservey to Nettle Ave SW of Mason City  (Trailhead begins at 13773 240th St). Parking is available at 10365 - 150th Street, Swaledale.