Chichaqua Valley Trail

The Chichaqua Valley Recreation Trail is an abandoned railroad right-of-way that has been converted to a recreation trail beginning in Baxter and ending in Bondurant, in Polk County. 

This 26-mile blacktop trail cuts through sprawling meadows, rolling farmland, and beautiful hardwood timber, full of wildlife, providing serene landscapes along the forested banks of the Skunk River. 

Rest stops and picnic shelters are found in Baxter, Ira, Mingo, and Bondurant. These areas, as well as Valeria, offer parking for trail access. 

Motorized vehicles are prohibited, except for maintenance and emergency vehicles. This restriction does not apply to a manual-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability.

The Chichaqua Valley Trail is ideal for walking, jogging, bicycling, rollerblading, and cross country skiing in the winter.