One Trail, Two States: Why This Iowa Hike Is So Unique

 As an avid global traveler, some of my most poignant memories are standing at border crossings, continental divides, and even on the equator. Upon returning to Iowa a few years ago, I never expected to find a remotely comparable experience. Admittedly, I never even thought about Iowa being a place where you can stand on borders. Until one day, my well-traveled elementary son came home from school talking about geography. He reminded me that Iowa shares borders with six other states, but he couldn’t remember any of those border crossings. Apparently, interstate crossings with “welcome to…” signs and the GPS voice singing out “You’ve now entered x state,” have not been impactful enough. This shortcoming was a call to action if I’d ever heard one. And I immediately asked Siri, "Where can we hike in two states at once in Iowa and Nebraska?" My son quickly piped in with: "Or Iowa and Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and South Dakota!!!”

The Iowa-Nebraska Trail on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

After sorting through the options of cross-state hiking trails, I settled on the Iowa and Nebraska border, with epic trails on both sides connected by one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the U.S. This one seemed like the best option for many reasons, but the most important feature is the actual line drawn across the bridge. Here, you can stand directly on the border, keeping one foot in Iowa and one in Nebraska at the same time. Surely, a kid can’t forget that unique experience! The bridge is the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, a spectacular, snaking white bridge that spans the Missouri River on cables between Council Bluffs and Omaha. 

Trail Overview: Distance, Difficulty, and Scenic Highlights

You can easily “hike” the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge on its own, although it’s more of a city stroll than a hike. Out and back, the trail over "Bob the Bridge," as locals call it, is 1.3 miles and takes 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Both sides of the bridge boast innovative riverfront parks with sculpture, playgrounds, museums, picnic areas, and outdoor concert venues. 

If you're more adventurous, you can tack on a scenic, riverfront trail on either side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. On the Iowa trail, the bridge connects directly with the Iowa Riverfront Trail, an 8-mile route along levees, marshlands, road lanes, and urban parks. On the other side of the river, on the Nebraska side, you can pick up the Omaha Riverfront Trail. Bob the Bridge is nearly in the center of the trail, allowing you to hike or bike nearly 10 miles in either direction, north or south, along a former railroad track. Things to see include the Heartland of America Park, the Lewis and Clark Landing, and the Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge.

Best Time to Hike This Iowa Trail for Weather and Views

If you ask me when the best time is to try this hike between two states at once, in Iowa and Nebraska, I will say, “Today.” Although most will lean towards a warm, sunny day for an Iowa hike, I can attest that this bridge, these parks, trails, and the two cities between them are beautiful in every single season. Therefore, if you are nearby, stop to see it; it will be worth it in most cases—except maybe during a tornado or an ice storm. You can even walk the bridge at night, which I haven’t done yet, but after dark, Bob is lit up, reflecting colorful lights over the river below. 

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