Trail Information & Maps
Come out and explore Indian Creek Nature Center’s more than 400 acres with more than seven miles of trails through restored wetlands, prairies and woodlands.
Open 365 days a year, 5am – 10pm. Dogs allowed on grounds and trails on a leash. Please do not bring pets into the Nature Center building. Service animals are welcome.
Amazing Space Campus Trails
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 great for snowshoeing, so no matter the season, you’ll enjoy beautiful scenery along this trail.
Věčný Woods & Prairie Trails
Věčný Woods, a 55-acre parcel of land owned and managed by ICNC, is now the site of a two-and-a-half-acre tallgrass prairie and two new hiking trails (one built to accessibility standards and the other meant to challenge hikers). There’s also a small loop around the David Novak Prairie, which was seeded with more than 180 native plant species in 2021.
Sac & Fox Trail
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.
Rules of the Property
Please help us keep our grounds safe and beautiful for all.
- Carry out your trash.
- Do not dig or destroy plants.
- Do not disturb any wildlife. The taking of fish, turtles, frogs, or other wildlife (including catch and release) is prohibited.
- Do not release animals or introduce plants.
- Horses, bicycles, weapons and motorized vehicles are prohibited.
- Keep pets on leashes, and clean up after your animals.
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.
Find a spot to rest and enjoy the views.
Benches are placed through the seven miles of trails that wind through the wetlands, prairies and woodlands at Indian Creek Nature Center. These benches provide place to rest, enjoy the view and have a quiet moment in nature.
Many of these benches are tribute benches that have been donated in honor, or memory, of a loved one. Each bench marker on the map linked below comes with a brief description that incudes the name of the person(s) the benches are dedicated to.
Places to Explore
Cedar Overlook
Escape into the woods on the Cedar Overlook Trail, which offers views of the Indian Creek Nature Center grounds and the Cedar River valley, and connects to the trail crossing the historic Blue Bridge.
Lynch Wetland
Explore the restored wetland, where you can find turtles, frogs, dragonflies and more. Then follow the Wood Duck Way trail through the woodlands to the ephemeral pond.
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 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.