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Lewis and Clark Monument Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (49)
  1. Areas
  2. IA
  3. …Southwestern Iowa
  4. Council Bluffs
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“A challenging trail with fast flow, quick drops, and leg burning climbs. ”

Phil Niles
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Map Key

4.3

Miles

6.9

KM

100%

Singletrack

1,260' 384 m

High

1,018' 310 m

Low

566' 173 m

Up

568' 173 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Drops/Jumps

Stay on the trail. Do not take blocked off side trails as some lead to private property.

Overview

Lewis and Clark is one of the first trails in the Omaha area and remains one of the favorites of local riders/hikers/runners alike.

Need to Know

Be prepared for lots of Orb-weaver spider webs crossing the trail in the summer/fall (depending on the year) if you are the first one to ride it that day. They are harmless, but you'll be covered in webs and spiders.

Description

Ride: From the parking lot, head back to the park entrance and take the second trail on the right almost next to the gate to the park. This is the trailhead. The first trail to the right is the trail exit.

Head down the trail and enjoy the trip to the bluff bottom. From here, follow the trail along the tracks to a section of short steep climbs and narrow quick drops.

The trail then climbs up and flies down in loops along the bluff face. At one point you come to a bench placed in memoriam for Tony Naikelis - a trail building pioneer in the area. The bench overlooks Council Bluffs and downtown Omaha in the distance. Take a minute to catch your breath and take in the view.

The last climb will take you out to the trail exit through a long series of tight steep switchbacks. If you have extra energy at the top, hang a hard right back down to the trailhead!

Contacts

Local Club: Trails Have Our Respect

Land Manager: City of Council Bluffs, IA - Parks and Recreation

Shared By:

Phil Niles
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 49 votes

#1

in Council Bluffs

#311

Overall
  4.6 from 49 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Council Bluffs

#1

in Iowa

#311

Overall
59 Views Last Month
24,136 Since May 1, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
5%
0%
13%
8%
74%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Finding a gem of a trail in Iowa.
May 29, 2021 near Council…, IA
Double black diamond bridge.
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA
Entrance to Faucenette's difficult and medium drops.
Oct 25, 2022 near Council…, IA
View from Tony's Bench
May 1, 2013 near Council…, IA
Black diamond area; stay to the left and jump off the rock on your way down! Fun!!
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA
Banked turns.
Oct 8, 2015 near Council…, IA

11 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 45 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 10, 2024
Brooklynn Erdmann
Great trail, will come back when we come through town again! 5.9mi — 1h 40m
Jun 25, 2023
Quinn Navarro
4.2mi — 1h 12m
Oct 22, 2022
Caleb Thomas
Great trail. Leaves did make it slick. 5mi — 10h 00m
Aug 30, 2022
C Reese
1st Test
Jun 18, 2022
Russell Herrera
May 6, 2022
Dominic Italia
All jumps/drops currently blocked off due to race. — 4h 00m
Apr 27, 2022
Thom Brittenham
4.3mi
Sep 13, 2020
J Lee

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