Praeri Rail Trail

Story County, IA

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Location

Runs between Roland and Zearing and parallels E-18.

Roland – Trailhead at North Park and National Street.

McCallsburg – parallel to E-18/ Dubois Avenue/130^th St., just east of the railroad tracks.

Zearing –.25 miles north of 135^th Street on the east side of Highway 65 or .05 miles south of Main Street and Highway 65.

Operating Hours & Seasons Trail hours are 5:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. daily.

Praeri Rail Trail

Discover Praeri Rail Trail in McCallsburg

The Praeri Rail Trail is a 10.5-mile recreational corridor that runs from Roland through McCallsburg to Highway 65 west of Zearing.

The section of abandoned railway was acquired by the county in 1978, and development began in the spring of 1979. The spelling of the word "Praeri" is in recognition of the area's strong Norwegian heritage. Many native prairie remnants can be seen adjacent to the trail. Sections of the trail at Roland and McCallsburg have a limestone surface; the remainder of the trail is mowed grass and may be difficult for all but off-road (mountain) bikes. Access to the trail is easiest from the Roland City Park at the northeast edge of town (North Park Street and National Street) and from McCallsburg.