Praeri Rail Trail
The Praeri Rail Trail is a 10.5-mile recreational corridor that runs from Zearing through McCallsburg to Roland. In 1978 the Story County Conservation Board and the Story County Board of Supervisors acquired the section of abandoned railroad right-of-way from the Chicago and Northwestern Transportation Company. The intent of the acquisition was to develop a conservation and recreation corridor on the abandoned railroad right-of-way to fulfill a wide range of leisure activities and protect natural and historical heritage
Christened the "Praeri Rail Trail," development began during the spring of 1979. The "Praeri" spelling is of Norwegian derivation recognizing the ethnic influence of the area.
Recreational uses available on the trail include biking, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and nature enjoyment. Snowmobiling on the trail bed is allowed as posted. Hunting is also allowed. Hunters and all other trail users are reminded to respect the private property of adjacent landowners.
The wildlife habitat provided by the right-of-way is an extremely important asset in an area of the country where the land is predominantly cultivated and the only other permanent wildlife cover is generally found in scattered farmstead plantings or roadside ditches.
Many varieties of songbirds and small mammals can be found all alone the trail which is also a popular site for pheasant nesting.
Besides the benefits of wildlife habitat, railroad right-of¬ways often contain prairie remnants, which comprise such a rich heritage of Iowa's past. Both prairie grass and wildflower remnants can be found along the trail. It is abundant with wild edibles, wild strawberries, raspberries, plums, gooseberries, mulberries, and asparagus.
The Praeri Rail Trail is maintained by the Story County Conservation Board, and you can find more information about the trail at their web site.