Clive Greenbelt Trail is one of the best trails in the Des Moines area. And with hundreds of miles of trails in Central Iowa, that’s saying something! This popular 7.9-mile paved trail winds along Walnut Creek and through dense woodlands—you’ll soon forget you’re in an urban setting!
Along the route, take in the art exhibit, and stop at your choice of parks and restaurants. It’s a trail you’ll go back to time and again.
Clive Greenbelt Trail
The trail is a 7.9-mile trail that extends from Windsor Heights through Clive. And while the trail is 7.9 miles from end to end, it has a total of 11.3 miles if you include all the connectors along the trail. Signage is pretty good for most of the route and will help you find your way.
The east end of the trail is at 73rd Street in Windsor Heights, near Colby Park. (It begins where Walnut Creek Trail ends.) From there, it follows Walnut Creek to Country Club Boulevard in Clive.
Follow the sidepath on Country Club Blvd to Lake Shore Drive. A sidepath along Lake Shore Drive and Lake View Drive extends along the north side of the lake. You can re-access Greenbelt Trail at NW 142nd Street. (See map for details!)
The trail ends west of 156th Street at Lion’s Park. There, Waukee’s Heart of the Warrior Trail continues west.
See the Art Along the Trail!
There’s a lot to love about the Clive Greenbelt Trail. But the art exhibits are a unique feature. The best time to see the annual Art Along the Trail exhibit is May through October. For more on the art display and specific pieces featured, go to the City of Clive website.
Know Before You Go!
- Clive Greenbelt Trail is a well-known, popular trail, meaning it’s often busy. Please be courteous and safe when passing others, and use caution on blind curves.
- The Art Along the Trail exhibit is a hallmark of the trail and the City of Clive.
- The trail winds along Walnut Creek for several miles, offering scenic views with the peaceful sound of the flowing water.
- The Clive Aquatic Center and Clive Library are just off the trail near NW 114th Street.
- A few of the restaurants accessible from the trail include 515 Brewing Company, Cool Basil, and Front Row Sports Bar.
- The trail was designated as an Iowa Great Place by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs in 2019.
Trail Map
To help plan your route, we recommend the Central Iowa Trails Interactive Map from Des Moines Area Metro Planning. And be sure to check out the Regional Trail Map too.
Trailheads
We list the trail access points from east to west below.
Colby Park, Windsor Heights. Colby Park is an excellent place to park and get on the trail. It’s at 6900 School St in Windsor Heights.
7750 University Ave, Windsor Heights. There is a small parking area near the 515 Brewing Co. with access to the trail.
1400 86th Street, Clive. Past the CarX, you’ll find a parking lot and playground along the trail.
Maddox Parkway/Greenbelt Park. Maddox Pkwy. is west of 100th St & Swanson Blvd (near Casey’s). South of Casey’s and the Horizon Event Center is a parking lot along the trail. And if you follow the parkway west, you’ll find more parking and a playground.
Clive Aquatic Center. A trail connector is on the east end of the parking area. Head north across the creek to get on the trail. The address is 1801 NW 114th St, Clive.
Campbell Recreation Area. Campbell is a large recreation complex east of 60th Street with tons of parking. Take the short trail connector on the west end of the ball fields. The address is 12385 Woodlands Pkwy, Clive.
Wildwood Park. This park has a parking lot and playground right beside the trail. It’s just east of NW 156th on Wildwood Dr. The address is 15166 Wildwood Dr, Clive.
Lion’s Park/Robert Brownell Complex. This park and recreation complex marks the west trailhead. You can park in a gravel parking area at the complex or a paved lot at Lion’s Park. Both are west of NW 156th St.
Lions Park is just west of Wildwood Dr. & NW 156th St. Robert Brownell Complex is at 1700 NW 156th St, Clive, IA 50325
Connecting Trails
Walnut Creek Trail meets up with the trail at Colby Park in Windsor Heights. Walnut Creek Trail extends from Colby Park southeast along the creek. In Des Moines, it meets up with Bill Riley Trail south of Ashworth Park (north of Des Moines Water Works Park).
West of the 128th Street underpass, a short path goes north to connect to the Raccoon River Valley Trail at Hickman Road. This 89-mile(!) trail goes west and northwest clear up to Jefferson, Iowa. A popular 72-mile interior loop starts in Waukee.
Heart of the Warrior Trail picks up where Clive Greenbelt Trail ends at Lion’s Park at NW 156th Street in Clive. It continues west through Waukee and meets up with Raccoon River Valley Trail on the west edge of town. Several street sidepaths are throughout Waukee.
Several street sidepaths and neighborhood connectors are along the Clive Greenbelt Trail. Two notable sidepaths are NW 128th Street and NW 156th Street.
Clive Greenbelt Trail Facts
- Location: Windsor Heights to Clive, Iowa
- Distance: 7.9 miles
- Surface: Asphalt and Concrete
- Difficulty: Easy
- Description:
- Trailheads: Colby Park, Maddox Parkway/Greenbelt Park, Clive Aquatic Center, Campbell Recreation Area, Wildwood Park, Lion’s Park/Robert Brownell Complex
- Connectors: Walnut Creek Trail, Raccoon River Valley Trail (via a connector), Heart of the Warrior Trail
