phone(319) 362-0664
5300 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Grounds/Trail Maps

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Please avoid areas where signs show the trails are closed. We are working to restore and reroute storm-damaged trails. Please stay on marked trails and avoid closures for your safety & the long-term health of the trail.

Stay tuned for trail re-opening updates. 

Enjoy miles of trails through 200 acres of wetlands, riparian forests, maple sugarbush, tallgrass prairies and oak savannas at Indian Creek Nature Center. Nearby Věčný Woods has an additional 55 acres of massive hardwood trees stewarded by the Nature Center. Enjoy hiking, trail running, bird watching, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing and more, all while exploring land in various stages of ecological restoration.

Trail Information and Maps

Download Current Trail Map

Indian Creek Nature Center’s campus trail system shown on this map is collectively called the Cedar Greenbelt Trail. The Cedar Greenbelt Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1980 by the National Park Service. It’s divided into three sections, each encompassing sections of our woodlands, wetlands and prairie. The Cedar Greenbelt Trail is also a favorite of cross-country skiers, so no matter the season, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery along this trail.

Download our Trail Map

Please note that the Sac & Fox trail is maintained by the City of Cedar Rapids and not Indian Creek Nature Center.

The Sac and Fox Trail was designated as Iowa’s first National Recreation Trail in 1975. Constructed and maintained by the Cedar Rapids Parks Department, the seven-mile long trail is relatively level and broad with a pressed limestone surface. About half of the trail is in the Indian Creek Valley, where walkers encounter a deep forest split by the riffles of this scenic stream. The rest of the trail follows the Cedar River and is in a more open terrain. Hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and bicycling are permitted. Motorized vehicles and weapons are prohibited.

View Trail Map & More

Self Guided Tours

Wood Duck Way Loop
Cedar Overlook Trail
A Few of Our Favorite Trees
Map

Rules of the Trails

Please help us in our mission by following our Rules of the Trail:

  • Keep horses, bicycles, weapons and motorized vehicles off of the property.
  • Keep pets on leashes, and remove feces deposited by your animals.
  • Leave plants and wildlife undisturbed.
  • Do not release animals or introduce plants onto the property.
  • Carry out your trash.

CAUTION! Poison ivy is abundant. It may cause an itchy rash on humans, but it is an important wildlife food source. Poison oak does not live in Iowa.

View Photo Gallery

Snowshoe Rentals

Any time there is at least five inches of snow you can slip on a pair of our snowshoes and explore winter trails. No experience is needed, and it is a fun way to get outside and be active in the winter months. Plus, the scenery on our trails takes on an entirely different kind of beauty when covered in snow.

Dress for the weather. Wear either winter or hiking boots. Feel free to bring hiking poles or ski poles; they are helpful but optional. Snowshoes must be used at the Nature Center only, during business hours. We have children and adult sizes. Rental fee: Members $8; Nonmembers $12. If you are a member of the Nature Center at the Household Plus level or higher ($75 per year), snowshoe rentals are included for free! Just show your membership card at the front desk.

Further reading: check out Snowshoe Magazine’s First-Timer’s Guide to Snowshoeing.