Jefferson County Trail System shows beauty of rural Iowa

Fairfield has gained national attention as a hotbed for artistic talent, cultural diversity and community wellness. A common link among these characteristics is the 30-mile Jefferson County Trails System.

The centerpiece of the trails system is the 16-mile Fairfield Loop Trail. The loop trail was first conceived in 1997 and the final mile was completed in 2011. The Fairfield Loop Trail was recognized as the best trail in the state of Iowa at the 2013 MidAmerica Trails and Greenways Conference held in Chicago, Illinois.

From rolling hills to wetlands to lakeside views, the Jefferson County Trails System showcases beautiful landscapes of rural Iowa. The trail system features numerous bridges, eight public art displays, five parks, and three lakes. Trail users traveling around the loop will experience over 800 feet of vertical climb, pass by the Golden Domes at Maharishi International University, and visit the National Register of Historic Places Maasdam Barns and Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm.

At 246 feet long, the Louden Bridge is one of the loop trail’s largest bridges. The bridge passes over the Burlington-Northern Santa Fe mainline railroad tracks. The Louden Bridge is not only a bridge, but also a piece of art. The bridge is covered with a galvanized steel superstructure which resembles a barn roof, and includes 171 glazed tile artwork pieces showcasing the Louden Machinery Company.

The Jefferson County Trail System connects major parks in the Fairfield area including: Waterworks Park, Chautauqua Park, Lamson Woods State Preserve, Jefferson County Park, and Whitham Woods. Fondly referred to as “Fairfield’s emerald necklace” the loop trail provides a continuous corridor of green space between each of the five parks listed above.

The loop trail is open to walkers, runners, bikers, and cross-country skiers. Motorized vehicles and horseback riding are not allowed on the loop trail. The loop trail is open daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. For more trail information, go to www.jeffersoncountytrails.org

Several important improvements were made on the Loop Trail in 2022 with more to come in 2023, including: painting of multiple wood trail bridges, planning for the construction of a natural playscape playground in the open space near Lamson Woods, and planning and progress on construction of mountain biking trails in Whitham Woods.

For the ninth year in a row, the Jefferson County Trails Council will host a scavenger hunt along the trail. Participants will pick up punch cards at trails heads or The RIDE Bicycle Shop, and use the map and clues contained therein to find all the punches along the route. The scavenger hunt starts Memorial Day weekend and ends during the Fairfield First Fridays event July 7, when prizes will be awarded.