The Oralabor Gateway Trail is an excellent trail through Ankeny! It’s also an essential connector between Des Moines and the well-known High Trestle Trail. Also, several Ankeny businesses and restaurants are along the route, so it’s super convenient!
The Oralabor Gateway Trail
The Oralabor Gateway Trail is a vital trail link between Des Moines and Ankeny. On its west end, it begins at the Neal Smith Trail, north of Sycamore Access. From there, it extends east and then north up a hill along NW 26th Street toward Ankeny. At Oralabor Road, it extends east and follows the road to the north end of the Gay Lea Wilson Trail.
Some Ankeny City Trails link the trail to residential areas and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) along Oralabor Road. If you go north at the DMACC campus, you can access the iconic 25-mile High Trestle Trail.
Know Before You Go!
- Most of the trail follows Oralabor Road through Ankeny.
- There are several street crossings throughout Ankeny. Be prepared to stop as you make your way through town.
- It runs by Ankeny businesses, including Starbucks, the Chicken Coop, and Kyles Bikes.
- Though not right on the trail, Sycamore Access (via Neal Smith Trail) and Carney Marsh (via Gay Lea Wilson Trail) are ways to access the trail.
- The trail is jointly managed by Polk Co. Conservation and the City of Ankeny.
Trail Map
Trailheads
Glenbrooke Park, 2803 SW Glenbrooke Blvd, Ankeny. Located just south of Oralabor Rd & SW Glenbrooke, this is the only official trailhead. The park has several parking spots, restrooms, and water (across the street).
Sycamore Access, Johnston. From here, you can take Neal Smith Trail north to access the trail. There are paved parking lots on the north and south side of NW 66 Ave (east side of the NW 66th Ave bridge).
Cottonwood Recreation Area, 7400 NW 37th St, Ankeny. Access the trail from a trail spur on the south end of Cottonwood Recreation Area, between shelters #8 and #9. Once you reach Neal Smith Trail, go south (right) a few feet to the Oralabor Gateway Trail. Parking is at the shelters, and restrooms are at shelter #8.
Carney Marsh, 580 SE 54th St, Ankeny. The east end of the trail is ½-mile north of here, via the Gay Lea Wilson Trail. Paved parking is along the trail.
Connecting Trails
Take Ankeny City Trails north at DMACC to get to the High Trestle Trail. Cross Oralabor Road at SW Oralabor & S Ankeny Blvd. From there, go north along the path on the east side of the DMACC campus, and then follow S Ankeny Blvd to SW Ordnance Road. At the ballfields by Ankeny High School, cross to the east side of Ordnance Rd. Follow the trail north to SW Railroad Ave, where the High Trestle Trail begins.
The trail connects to the 25-mile Neal Smith Trail on the west, north of Sycamore Access. Neal Smith Trail extends north through the Saylorville Lake area to Big Creek State Park. South of Sycamore Access, it stretches along the Des Moines River to downtown Des Moines.
At the east end of Oralabor Gateway Trail, along Oralabor Road, is the northern point of the Gay Lea Wilson Trail. Gay Lea Wilson extends southeast by Carney Marsh and follows Four Mile Creek. It passes through Sargent Park and Strasser Woods to Copper Creek Lake in Pleasant Hill. From there, you can also take a trail segment northeast to Altoona.
Oralabor Gateway Trail Facts
- Location: Ankeny
- Distance: ~5 miles
- Surface: Concrete
- Difficulty: Moderate; mostly easy, with gentle slopes
- Description: From Neal Smith Trail, it extends northeast to Ankeny and along Oralabor Gateway Road. It links to Gay Lea Wilson Trail east of Hwy 69.
- Trailheads: Glenbrooke Park [Also use Sycamore Access (west) or Carney Marsh (east)]
- Connectors: Neal Smith Trail, Ankeny City Trails, Gay Lea Wilson Trail
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