Adventurers

Nature & Outdoors

Macbride Nature Recreation Area offers a host of activities, one of which is the Raptor Center, which currently displays 17 unreleasable birds of prey historically found in Iowa. Take a self-guided tours or opt for a guided tour for a small fee. Staff share a great deal of knowledge about raptor populations and habitats to visitors.

Terry Trueblood Recreation Area offers multi-use trails, picnic areas, and rentable equipment for water activities on Sand Lake. Go kayaking, try your hand at standup paddle boarding, or take out a paddle boat for the afternoon. Located just a few minutes drive from downtown, you can enjoy getting away without traveling far at all.

Fossils & Wetlands

The Devonian Fossil Gorge is a completely unique geological site that explorers of all ages can enjoy. Stop inside the site’s welcome center to learn about the history of the gorge, and see the fossils and coral firsthand. Camping sites, disc golf, and shelters are also nearby.

Behind the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center lies the Iowa River Landing Wetlands Park – a two-acre pond surrounded by five acres of wetlands. It features three distinct types of wetlands in addition to a cascading waterfall and viewing tower.

Biking Trails

The Iowa City area isn’t just full of opportunities on two feet, it’s a biking fanatics dream in real life. We have several trails including pavement, gravel, mountain biking, and cyclocross. Our Bike Iowa City community and businesses are also very bicycle friendly.