Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city in Iowa. It’s located on both sides of the Cedar River, and is 30 miles from Iowa City, for which we also have a running guide. There’s some nice running in Cedar Rapids, centered around the river and numerous longer multi-use trails.
Some of the best places to run in Cedar Rapids are along the Cedar River, using the Ellis Trail headed north and the Cedar River Trail headed south. The Sac and Fox Trail is another scenic option, passing through several parks, with an optional lake loop at Fisher Park Fishery. The 70-mile Cedar Valley Nature Trail runs through Cedar Rapids. For some nice neighborhood running, head just east of downtown to Wellington Heights. Another fun destination is Seminole Valley Park, where there’s a popular cross-country running course.
For more, see our separate running guide for nearby Iowa City. Runners should note that winters in this area are very cold.
