What is a Water Trail?

Water trails are recreational corridors and routes on rivers and lakes that provide a unique experience for canoeists and kayakers and provide adequate access points that can be used for planning your trips at various lengths and difficulty. Water trails help re-connect Iowans to their waterways' history, heritage, geology, fisheries, and wildlife. Hiking, Biking & Water Trails

A water trail may also provide access to riverside campgrounds, primitive campsites, amenities such as shelters and restrooms in city, county or state parks. A water trail will have a detailed map showing access points and river mileage and may even provide information on history and area culture, wildlife viewing opportunities and more. Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

A water trail promotes an ethic of caring that makes us more aware of our surroundings and environment and can be thought of as educational venues. Whether they are used for relaxation, health and fitness, education or just for spending time with family, water trails provide in-state destinations for recreational river users that can even help boost local economies. Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

Coordinated signage and mapping systems guide users toward the types of experiences they seek, ranging from a highly social first-time river experience lasting a few hours to multi-day adventures. Hiking, Biking & Water Trails

How the Iowa DNR Water Trail Designation Process Works

Planning Timeline and DNR Involvement

Water trail planning can take 18-24 months, give or take a few months. Because of the complexity and number of issues that can arise during the planning process, as well as the many requirements needed for state designation, the DNR is closely involved in the planning process from the very beginning. Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

Application Process

Currently, the DNR is taking on one water trail project each year. If you are interested in applying for water trail planning that will lead toward state designation, you may apply using the Water Trail Planning Application. Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

Key Requirements for State Designation

The Iowa DNR has established several requirements that must be met for state water trail designation, including:

A network of agreements identifying each land manager's commitments to maintenance and management of the water trail infrastructure and state standardized water trail signage (access, wayfinding, dam hazard, etc.) Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

Accessibility Considerations

Iowa DNR encourages water trail developers to be inclusive for varying abilities as possible, so long as the setting needs not be substantially altered. In addition, a new priority is the creation of paired "Universal Design" launches and landings, which are hoped to provide freedom and independence for a variety of users. The only type of access that must meet ADA design specifications are ones that include boarding piers. Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

Current Program Status

More than 1,500 miles of waterways have been selected as state designated and developing water trails in Iowa during the first three years of the state water trails program. Nearly all stream reaches within Iowa's Protected Water Areas have been included in a state designated trail. Water Trails | Department of Natural Resources

Contact Information

For those interested in pursuing water trail designation, you can contact John Wenck, the state water trails coordinator at John.Wenck@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-494-8629. Water Trail Development | Department of Natural Resources

The Iowa DNR's water trail program represents a comprehensive approach to connecting Iowans with their waterways while ensuring proper infrastructure, safety measures, and environmental stewardship are maintained throughout the designation and ongoing management process.