Admin

21,364 views

Type: Nature Trail

Length: 3 miles

Surface: Paved


Condition

Average

Grade - Gentle Grades


Amenities


Description

Moments from downtown Cedar Falls, this trail connects to the Cedar Valley Lakes trail on the south at Gateway Park and on the north end with the Lone Tree Road Trail. The Cedar Valley Trail system has a designated 8.3 mile Big Woods Loop that travels around Big Woods Lake and to Black Hawk Park. Starting at Gateway Park enjoy a wooded ride to Big Woods Lake, cycle along open spaces and residential areas, the forested bank of the Cedar River, Cottage Row's homes, and Island Park on your return to downtown Cedar Falls. This loop utilizes the Big Woods Lake Trail, Lone Tree Road Trail and Cedar Valley Lakes Trail.


Location - Where is this Trail?

Big Woods Lake Campground is located at 1501 East Lake Street, Cedar Falls.

 

From Highway 218: Take exit 189 for Lone Tree Rd, turn west onto Lone Tree Rd & take the 1st left onto Big Woods Rd, then turn left at E Lake St, the campground will be on the right.


Trailheads

  • Big Woods Lake - Big Woods Road and Ironwood Street
  • Big Woods Lake - Big Woods Road and E. Lake Street.
  • Gateway Park - Lincoln and Main streets downtown Cedar Falls


Sites & Attractions

The Big Woods Lake Recreation area provides a myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities including access to the metropolitan recreation trail system, boating, fishing, hiking, disc golf, camping, and picnicking and the Cedar Falls Rotary Club's 10-acre prairie restoration. The remaining park grounds consist of floodplain-associated woodlands and wetland areas interlaced with small lakes, which were once old quarries and are now used for fishing.  For more information regarding campground reservations, contact Black Hawk County Conservation Office at (319) 433-7275.


You can rent a kayak or paddle board to enjoy a leisurely paddle on the lake, watch eagles hunting, or play a round of disc golf.  

Camping - The 12-acre site holds 55 RV campsites, three permanent cabins, tent camping, hard surface roadways and wireless internet service. 

more info

History of the Trail


Contributors

The following members have contributed to the above Trail content.


This trail was last edited by CedarFallsVisitor on May 29, 2020.

Upcoming Events

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Past Events

Big Bike Give 2022

24 Tuesday May 2022
  • online, IA
  • Other
  •    3,431

BIKE4SIGHT

14 Saturday Aug 2021
  • Storm Lake, IA
  • Road
  •    1,898

Cedar Valley Pedal Fest** CANCELLED

5 Saturday Sep 2020
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    4,515

Cedar Valley Pedal Fest 2019

6 Saturday Jul 2019 - 7 Sunday Jul 2019
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Other
  •    6,364

MayDay All Bike Swap Meet

4 Saturday May 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Expo/Sales/Swap
  •    9,433

Cedar Valley Pedal Fest

1 Sunday Jul 2018
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Other
  •    14,137

Cedar Valley Pedal Fest

30 Saturday Jun 2018
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Other
  •    15,121

Cedar Valley Pedal Fest

1 Saturday Jul 2017 - 2 Sunday Jul 2017
  • CEDAR FALLS, IA
  • Other
  •    42,157

symphonyCycle

14 Saturday May 2016
  • Waterloo, IA
  • Road
  •    12,688

Spooks, Spokes & Sneakers

10 Saturday Oct 2015
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    18,824

Cedar Valley Cyclists W.O.W (Wednesdays on Wheels) Ride

30 Wednesday Sep 2015
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Road
  •    19,618

Cedar Valley Cyclists W.O.W (Wednesdays on Wheels) Ride

23 Wednesday Sep 2015
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • Road
  •    14,908

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Feature Features Image

18th Annual Cedar Valley Trails Festival

  • BikeIowa
  • Thu August 8 2013
  •   28,504
Feature Features Image

17th Annual Cedar Trails Festival

  • ss
  • Thu July 26 2012
  •   15,513
Feature Features Image

Come Cycle Cedar Falls!

  • ss
  • Wed March 24 2010
  •   26,133

Edit Trail

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Latest Big Woods Lake Trail News

Cedar Falls plans for future bike network

  • Wed September 08 2021
  •   2,254

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