About

The Iowa Trails Summit is the state's premier gathering for trail builders, supporters, volunteers, advocates, and enthusiasts who are shaping the future of Iowa's trail system. This annual event brings together a diverse network of professionals and community leaders from across Iowa and beyond to explore all aspects of trail development, connectivity, and stewardship.

As the Summit continues to evolve, it now incorporates the Iowa Bike Summit, creating a more comprehensive event that reflects the interconnected nature of trails, bicycle facilities, and active transportation. While the event has expanded in scope, attendees can still customize their experience through multiple concurrent educational sessions, selecting the topics most relevant to their work and interests. Whether focused on trail development, bicycle infrastructure, engineering, policy, or community planning, participants will find content that supports their goals while gaining a broader understanding of how connected transportation networks benefit communities across Iowa.

Through engaging presentations, interactive panels, and networking opportunities, attendees gain valuable insights into topics such as corridor acquisition, engineering and design, funding strategies, long-term maintenance, safety, accessibility, bicycle infrastructure, marketing, and community engagement. The Summit is both practical and visionary—equipping participants with the tools to move projects forward while fostering collaboration that strengthens Iowa's interconnected network of trails, bicycle facilities, and active transportation systems.

Whether you are a county conservation board member, city planner, engineer, transportation professional, public works staff member, volunteer, advocate, or simply someone passionate about trails and bicycling, the Iowa Trails Summit provides inspiration, resources, and connections to help expand the role of trails and bicycle facilities in recreation, transportation, tourism, economic development, and quality of life across the state.