Rolling by the Rivers

Geode State Park is one of the most popular recreation areas in the southeast corner of Iowa. The park is centered around a reservoir, created in 1950, that is now a popular fishing lake and swimming spot. A series of multi use trails circumnavigate the lake, forming a six mile loop that makes for an interesting variety of single track biking in a rolling, oak hardwood forest area. Mostly easy to moderate, the trails have a few difficult spots with short, steep climbs and rocky spots. For bikers looking for an afternoon of fun riding with some reasonable challenges, this park is worth the trip. The forest cover means there is lots of shade during the hot summer months, and the beach offers another way to cool off after your ride. The park is also great during the maximum color season in mid October.

The Skunk River just to the south of the dam was once a busy riverboat route as settlers penetrated inland from the Mississippi. The nearby Mississippi River town of Burlington is one of the oldest cities in Iowa and has an extensive district of historic architecture; it also boasts Snake Alley, the"crookedest street in the world."

General location: Ten miles west of Burlington in Henry County.
Elevation change: This region is moderately hilly and the loop trail has lots of short ups and downs.
Season: Midspring through late autumn. The spring thaw and periods of extensive rain may render the trail too soft and muddy for biking.
Services: The state park has picnic and camping facilities and a swimming beach. Other services are available in Burlington and New London.
Hazards: Watch for vehicles at the points where the trail system crosses the park roads. Watch for and yield to hikers.
Rescue index: There are almost always other people visiting the park. In season, there is a resident ranger.
Land status: Geode State Park is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Maps: A park brochure/map is available at the ranger station.

Finding the trail: Follow route 79 west from Burlington to the east entrance of the park. The north entrance is 6 miles south of New London and US 34 on a county road. The loop trail can be reached at a number of points on the paved park road. One good place to start your trail ride is the beach area, where there is plenty of parking and in season, a concession stand.

Notes on the trail: Heading south from the beach area, the trail takes off from the southwest corner of the parking lot, crosses a bridge, and climbs up into the woodlands. Several times in the first mile there are lake access roads to cross as the trail winds along the shoreline of the lake. There are flip signs at several of the trail entrances indicating whether the trails are open to bikes. At the south end of Lake Geode, the trail joins a park road to cross the dam that forms the lake. After meandering north through several picnic and dayuse areas, the trail leaves the lake and runs through a more remote, heavily wooded section of the park. The final mile back to the beach area runs briefly on the north park road, across a stream, and through another picnic area. © Article copyright Menasha Ridge Press. All rights reserved.