Lake Ahquabi State Park

Description for Lake Ahquabi State Park

The Lake Ahquabi State Park trails are not what they used to be, lack of maintenance has taken a toll on the riding here but could easily be restored to its old greatness with a bit of TLC.

The trail is a five mile loop trail around the lake and is a mix of singletrack and doubletrack. It is a shared use trail for hikers and bikers. The terrain is pretty typical for this area but there are some wooden bridges and natural features like roots, rocks, leaves, and logs. You can ride it in either direction, although riding it in clockwise direction provides for the most challenging hill climb of the day where most end up bailing and walking up the hill. There is an optional loop to a Monument that is marked.

There are several difficult climbs along the main Lake trail that are technical in nature - although they are in the "not very long category". The rest of the trail around the lake is up and down as well as gentle rolling hills that will have the biker working the gears to keep the momentum flowing. About 95% of the trail is in the woods and shaded the entire way. It is very peaceful. I would rank the trail beginner and intermediate.

The trails and several loops near the first picnic area upon entering the State Park provide the most challenge for mountain bikers. These are real mountain bike trails that give you white knuckles and raise your heart rate. They are all singletrack with steep descents and steep climbs. These trails are more "rugged" in nature in terms of maintenance with branches and logs left to lie where they fall. I like that compared to the perfectly groomed, trails only open when things are dry area types found in other parts of Iowa. Lots of deer tracks and rough ground from the tracks when the deer walk in the mud. No shortage of ruts, roots, rocks, loose conditions, fallen trees and branches to navigate and hills to negotiate. There is even a several hundred yard long gravel and log staircase that leads back down to the lake trail. One can pick up thorns, so think about slime tubes or carrying an extra tube with you when riding here. I would rank this section of trails intermediate and advanced with conditions sometimes making it extreme.

Mixing the difficult singletrack trails with the Lake Ahquabi main 5 mile loop trail provides plenty of riding for everyone to make a good day of it and the drive to Lake Ahquabi State Park worthwhile. Camping is allowed in the campground, so it makes for a nice weekend trip to camp, ride, swim, fish, boat, bike, eat, bike, sleep, bike, hike, etc... . There are even some hiking/biking trails across the highway that are nature trails which beginners and intermediates would find quite enjoyable.

Directions to Lake Ahquabi State Park Trailhead