“With nearly 2,500 miles of beautifully paved trails across the state, Iowa is branded as the World Capital of Trails.
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travel iowa
We know. Iowa is not at the top of your vacation wish list.
But that is why you travel with Zephyr Adventures! We spend the time to scour the world looking for the best places to be active on vacation and aren’t afraid to suggest something new to you.
Yes, Iowa has 2,500 miles of paved trails. But for our travelers, it is even better than that.
- Bulldozed by extinct glaciers, Central Iowa is mostly flat, which is something almost all inline skaters and many bicyclists love.
- The trails are not actually paved. Most of them are concrete, which for skaters is just about the best surface possible.
- These are not just bike trails next to roads. Most of the miles we are separated from roads entirely and cycling along rivers, through forest groves, and past agricultural fields.
- The region around the state capital of Des Moines has built so many trails recently that we can do a five-day tour with bikers never doing a van transfer and skaters doing only one (or none if you skate far enough).
- We stay two nights at an historic and refurbished hotel in the small town of Perry and two nights in an historic and refurbished hotel in the fun small city of Des Moines, a perfect complement to each other.
The Trails
We skate and bike on a number of Iowa trails:
- The Raccoon River Valley Trail, a past nominee for the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame, boasts 89 miles of paved glory that is worthy of two days of exploration.
- We also roll along the 25-mile High Trestle Trail highlighted by an astonishing half-mile long, 13-story high bridge over the Des Moines River (pictured above).
- In late August 2024, the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the High Trestle Trail were joined by a brand new, 11-mile paved trail that is ideal skating and biking and allows us to avoid a van shuttle.
- We use eight different trails (the Des Moines Promenade, Carl Voss, Easter Lake, Carlisle Nature Trail, Meredith, Grays Lake, Bill Riley, and the Clive Greenbelt trails) that beautifully intersect with each other in southwest Des Moines.
- For those looking for more mileage, there are half a dozen other trails that will provide us with extra long routes each day.
The Towns, Hotels, and Restaurants
Once we have convinced you to come to Iowa for vacation, we think you will love what you see. The cute town of Perry, with only 7,000 residents, is situated right on the Racoon River Valley Trail and boasts the historic yet upgraded Hotel Pattee, a classic Zephyr accommodation. Two nights in rural Iowa are complemented perfectly by two nights in downtown Des Moines, with its amazing farmer’s market and the Riverwalk in addition to the state capitol grounds and monuments. We admit classic American food in Iowa bars can get tiring but we break this up with a fun Lebanese meal, an upscale dining restaurant, and authentic Mexican food. In the end, what we really love about Iowa are the people, who are warm and welcoming to outsiders.
Iowa Skating and Biking
For inline skaters who don’t think they want to skate five days in a row, on this tour you can rent a bike and bring your skates along. You can skate on days two, four, and five as long as you bike on days one and three.
Come for the amazing Iowa biking and skating paths. Be entranced by the solitude of the prairie farmland, let the gentle big city of Des Moines surprise you, enjoy the friendly people, and discover that Iowa has so much to offer. Join us on our Iowa Inline Skating & Biking Adventure!
Private Tours
Want to make this trip even more memorable? Grab your friends and pick a date with a minimum of eight people with one professional guide. We will add a second guide for larger groups.
Start planning your private tourDetails
- Cost Per Person: $2,750
- Single Supplement: $500
- Private Tour Minimum: 8
- Activities: Inline Skating or Biking
- Difficulty: All Abilities
- Guides: Aaron Rothfolk, Allan Wright, Owner and Founder
Other Info: Bike rental is an additional charge: Hybrid bikes are $60/day, road bikes are $75/day, and e-bikes are $90/day.
Book this TourTrip Highlights
- Inline skate or bicycle on the 89-mile Raccoon River Valley Trail: paved, smooth, and flat
- Cross the Des Moines River on a half-mile long, 13-story high concrete pedestrian bridge
- Stay in the Hotel Pattee, known as one of the Finest Boutique Hotels in the World
- Experience rural Americana in Perry, one of Iowa’s “Great Places” - we love this town!
- Delight in the cultural, recreational, dining, and nightlife opportunities of the capital city of Des Moines
DAY 1
We meet after lunch in Des Moines, Iowa at our downtown hotel for introductions and an overview of the tour. We shuttle a short distance to the Raccoon River Valley Trailhead in nearby Waukee. Following introductions and a bike fitting (for those renting), we’ll be off on one of the finest trails in the country! The Raccoon River Valley Trail is long, smooth concrete, and flat. We'll pass through three small towns (Dallas Center, Minburn, and Dawson) and past the Forest Park Museum/Arboretum, with its outdoor exhibits of life in the region in past years. We'll finish by skating directly into small-town and super cute Perry, Iowa, with its quaint main street, multiple restaurants and bars, and awesome refurbished hotel. Tonight we'll eat in the Cafe Pattee in our hotel.
Distance: 12 or 21 Miles (plenty of extra mileage if desired)
DAY 2
Today, we stay on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, which is sort of a big square. We'll continue north on the eastern portion and then turn west across the top. This is very rural skating and biking, with tractors more common than cars and the songs of birds echoing across the landscape. We turn around in the town of Herndon for the main route but anyone interested in more mileage can continue around the loop. We'll arrange a special Iowa lunch at the Just 1 More pub trailside in the town of Jamaica. Back in Perry, you can wander the town to discover the historic buildings, unique shops, dining, public art, and Carnegie Library Museum. Or try your hand at the hotel's historic bowling alley or the permanent corn hole course on a plaza in town. Tonight we'll go to Casa de Oro for traditional Mexican food.
Distances: 11, 26, or 47 Miles (or more if desired)
DAY 3
We leave Perry this morning via bicycle or skates on the brand-new 11-mile concrete connector path to the town of Woodward and the start of the High Trestle Trail. Shortly after Woodward, we cross over the scenic Des Moines River on the spectacular High Trestle Trail Bridge soaring 130 feet above the valley. After enjoying the views, it is then on to the towns of Madrid and Slater, both of which host fun trailside stops for vittles and libations. For those interested, the trail continues to suburban Ankeny ending with a visit to the local Firetrucker Brewery or one of several lunch restaurants. From Ankeny, skaters will shuttle to our hotel in Des Moines while bikers will continue on via the Neal Smith trail that hugs the Des Moines River and takes us directly into downtown. Dinner tonight is at a delicious Lebanese restaurant, walking distance from our hotel.
Distances: 23, 36, or 54 Miles (with more mileage and a shorter option available)
DAY 4
Today we trade the rural Rails-to-Trails for meandering urban and suburban paths. Our path leads us to Easter Lake, which has a concrete trail around it and is a nice rest stop with bathrooms and even a wooden covered bridge over the trail as it crosses an arm of the lake. Those wishing for more mileage will continue on a newly-constructed concrete path to the town of Carlisle, which has a cute downtown and several lunch options. In the afternoon, those looking for an activity can join us for a guided tour inside the gold dome-topped Iowa State Capitol Building. This evening we'll enjoy our final dinner in Iowa at the trendy restaurant RoCA on hip Court Avenue, with a brewery, German beer garden, and several bars for optional post-dinner festivities.
Distances: 15, 27, or 50 Miles (and more mileage available)
DAY 5
This morning, on our final day, we start by walking to the Des Moines Farmers Market, widely considered one of the finest Farmers’ Markets in America, supporting nearly 300 vendors. It is a fantastic place to connect with farmers, producers, bakers, and artists representing every corner of this hardworking, entrepreneurial state. We then bike or skate right out the door of our hotel to the downtown Principal Riverwalk and follow the Des Moines River to the Meredith Trail which will take us along the Raccoon River, around Grays Lake, and to the Bill Riley Trail. We'll enjoy the city skyline, stream views, shaded wetland parks, and a beautiful lake with a smooth path so nice you might do it twice. Bikers will continue on to the town of Waukee where we started our trip to drop off their rental bikes before shuttling back to our hotel. After our skate or bike ride, we'll have time for showers and goodbyes.
Distance: 7 (Skaters) or 18 (Bikers) Miles
Trip Accommodations
NIGHTS 1 & 2 >> HOTEL PATTEE / PERRY, IA
We love hotels like this - small, well-furnished, quirky, and with historic pasts located in small towns where you would not expect them. The Pattee has 40 rooms in addition to a restaurant, lounge, spa, and bowling alley! It is right near the paved trail and walking distance to everywhere you will want to go in this small town.
NIGHTS 3 & 4 >> SURETY HOTEL / DES MOINES, IA
This luxury, independently-owned hotel in downtown Des Moines was built in 1913 but has been remodeled to include current luxuries. The large rooms are nicely appointed and we can skate and ride right from the hotel entrance. There are even pool tables in the lobby!
Book this TourArrival & Departure
We will meet you just after lunch in Des Moines on the first day of the tour at our downtown hotel. It is easy to reach downtown from the nearby airport. The tour ends in the late morning at the same hotel in Des Moines, from which you are welcome to take a shuttle to the airport or continue on your journey.
What's Included?
- At least two Zephyr guides accompany each trip (only one for smaller private tours) and a third is added as necessary.
- Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are coming on a trip solo, you have two options: 1) Pay the single supplement to receive your own room. 2) Ask us to try to find you a roommate of the same gender to share a room with; if we are not successful you will be charged the single supplement and receive your own room.
- All of your dinners and breakfasts are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included. In general, we leave lunches open so that you have time to explore and enjoy the local flavors en route.
- All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.
- All trail fees and permits are included.
- NOT INCLUDED Beverages, desserts, lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to and from the destination.
Weather
September and early October are fantastic months to be in Iowa. Daytime highs average the low to mid 70 degrees, which is warm but not too hot for exercising. The corn is as high as an elephant's eye, making the scenery beautiful. Iowa does get precipitation year round, so be prepared for showers.
Extending Your Stay
There are some major Midwestern cities within a reasonable drive of Des Moines: Kansas City (3 hours), Minneapolis (3.5 hours), Chicago (5 hours), and St. Louis (5.5 hours). Any of these might make a good addition to a Midwestern vacation with a bit of big-city excitement thrown in.
Changes to Your Itinerary
While everything under “What is Included” will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed in our itineraries are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common – a restaurant closes or loses its awesome chef, a winery changes its visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, a road or trail undergoes construction. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes (even at the last minute, during the guides’ scout trip) to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience. If there is any one experience that is going to make or break your trip, please discuss this with us in advance! We will attempt to keep our website itinerary as current as possible and communicate any major changes with you in the weeks prior to the tour.
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