A “New” Water Trail Has Been Dedicated In Iowa: Check Out The Cedar River Water Trail This Summer

A new water trail has just made its debut in Iowa - but it's been there all along! The Cedar River Water Trail in Iowa is located in the tiny rural town of Mitchell, only a few miles from the small city of Osage. The Cedar River is a tributary of the Iowa River, their confluence just a few miles from the Mississippi River, which drains them both. The Cedar has long been a popular spot for kayaking. It's a great place for calm paddling and enjoying nature, but it's never been an official water recreation route - until now. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in coordination with Mitchell County Conservation, had its official dedication ceremony on June 29th, 2023. Now, you can navigate this free-to-use trail with a kayak of your own, or rent one from a local business, and enjoy all this natural destination has to offer.

The Cedar River is one of Iowa's most underrated bodies of water, perfect for kayaking in the summer.

If you want to explore it via the Cedar River Water Trail, head to Bennett Access in the tiny town of Mitchell.

This backwoods river access point is a great place for relaxed exploring, including some waterfront trail hikes.

The most well-known of these is the Cedar River Greenbelt Trail, a 6.1-mile out and back trail considered an easy route.

Of course, there's no better way to see the river than on the river! This is the perfect spot for a kayaking adventure.

Bring your own kayak, or rent it from a local company, and join the many other nature lovers exploring this "new" trail for themselves!

Are you a kayaking fan? Do you plan to take the Cedar River Water Trail in Iowa this summer? Let us know in the comments section! You can find out more about this new water trail from the official Iowa DNR press release, and rent your own kayak in nearby Osage at Nature RX Rentals. Osage is also home to this popular drive-in. If you're worried about sunburns while taking this water trail, head to REI for the best sunscreen selection.