North Sycamore Trail (Des Moines River) Hiking Guide
Sycamore Trail runs along the west bank of the Des Moines River on the north side of the metro, and it is better known to mountain bikers and trail runners than to hikers. That is a reason to walk it: the dirt singletrack winds through what CITA calls old-growth forest and rarely climbs. Interstate 80 splits it in two, and when locals say "Sycamore" they mean the north half.
Distance and Elevation
Hiking Project maps North Sycamore Trail as a 3.6-mile point-to-point with 151 feet of climbing and 173 feet of descent, between about 809 and 856 feet. Most hikers walk out and turn around, which makes this page's figure of 7.2 miles and roughly 324 feet of climbing for the full round trip; turn back sooner for a shorter walk. Polk County Conservation calls the whole system a 6-plus-mile network. The south half, below I-80, is another 1.8 miles by Hiking Project's count.
Sharing with Bikes
This is one of only two soft-surface trail systems where Polk County allows bicycles, and CITA describes it as fast, flowing singletrack that many adults and children ride. Walk on the right, listen for riders coming around bends, and step off the tread to let them pass. Horses and motorized vehicles are banned.
Wet Trail Rules
The trail sits low beside the river, and the county and CITA both ask users to stay off it when it's muddy: during spring and fall freeze-thaw and after heavy rain, CITA closes the trails, and signs at the trailheads show whether they're open. CITA's online status board is the quickest check, but its Sycamore entry can go weeks without an update. If the trailhead sign is unchanged after a storm, assume it's closed.
Parking, Hours and Dogs
Polk County lists the trail at 4640 NW 66th Avenue in Johnston. CITA asks hikers to park in the lot across the bridge and not along the road near the gravel lot entrance. Trail hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. There is no fee. Dogs must stay on a six-foot leash, and owners pick up after them. Hiking Project lists the Army Corps of Engineers' Saylorville Lake project as land manager for the north section.
Fall Bowhunt
Polk County includes Sycamore Trail North and South in its controlled antlerless deer bowhunt, open to permit holders from September 19, 2026 through January 24, 2027. The county lists no trail closure for the hunt. A bright layer is a good idea through the season, and stay on the singletrack rather than cutting through the woods.
Hiking tips for North Sycamore Trail (Des Moines River)
- Read the trailhead sign before you start; if it says closed, the trail is closed.
- Keep right and listen for mountain bikes on blind curves.
- Park in the lot across the bridge, not on the roadside.
- Turn around early for a short walk; it's an out-and-back, so every mile out is a mile back.
- Wear a bright layer during the September-to-January bowhunt.
Nearby trails to explore
- Brown's Woods Interior Loop
- Crow's Nest Loop (Ledges State Park)
- Banner Lakes Loop (Summerset State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Sycamore is easy to reach from the north metro for a quick group walk or run. Post an outing on TrailMates, confirm in the event's group chat that the trail is open after recent rain, and meet at the lot across the bridge. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.