Ryerson's Woods State Preserve

I can't believe I have never gone to this park! There's more than meets the eye. There are lots of trails that will lead you up and down the hill. They all lead back eventually to the start, so it's hard to get lost. I took my little doggies here, and they loved it. I loved the bird watching. Parking is a little tight but other than that, it was great. Oh and no bathroom but doggie bags and trash cans.

This is the best nature hiking trail I have found yet in the Iowa City area. There is no trail map on any bulletin board. And it a nature trail and not a suburb trail. It is not handicap accessible and only a little bit of the start is blacktopped so those in wheelchairs and walkers need not bother coming here. Sadly it is too close to a county highway so you can hear the constant traffic. But other than that, it is a nice enjoyable looping trail. There are lots of interesting things to see. Many tree branch shelters with one having a geocache in it. Moss-covered benches and picnic tables. The preserve is not that developed for trails. Probably less than a fourth has trails. It seems to scream for a boy scout troop to adopt it and improve it as it feels neglected and underdeveloped. If you are in the area, it is worth a visit.

Good for a walk of reasonable length at any time of year. Some great wide paths and some deer trails that humans use. Wild flowers, mushrooms, old growth forest non of which is far from the parking lot or the county fairgrounds. Totally worth a visit.

Beautiful trails and a fun spot to explore. Unfortunate that there’s so much noise from nearby highways, but it’s a nice spot. The trails are well maintained. And lots of fungi to be found

What a nice find! Close to Iowa City, this little hiking trail goes up a bluff and then overlooks a ravine. Nice loop that goes up and around, about 1.5 miles. Easy to hike trail even with uphill sections. It is wooded, there are resting benches, a few picnic tables. The park could use some loving care but is still great for a quick nature hike. Close to the highway so do hear noise but it is still a lovely nature hike without having to travel far from the urban area.