January 2026 | Raccoon River Valley Trail Association Newsletter
- Shaun Riekena
- a few seconds ago
- 6 min read
Mark Phippen of RAGBRAI Named Featured Speaker for RRVTA Banquet
The Raccoon River Valley Trail Association is excited to announce that Mark Phippen, Director of RAGBRAI, will be the featured speaker at our 2026 Annual Banquet on Saturday, April 11, at Country Lane Lodge in Adel.
Mark became Director of RAGBRAI in 2022, stepping into leadership of one of Iowa’s most iconic traditions. At the banquet, Mark will share insights from his years with RAGBRAI, including behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on how cycling and trails have transformed small towns, and why Iowa continues to be a national leader in trail development and bike tourism.
This year’s banquet comes as the RRVTA celebrates 20 years of volunteer-led support for the Raccoon River Valley Trail — making Mark’s perspective on community, collaboration, and the power of shared experiences especially fitting.
Mark your calendar for April 11 and plan to join us for an evening of great food, great company, and an inspiring look at how trails and cycling continue to bring Iowans together.
Tickets will go on sale in February and the full program will be shared soon — but for now, save the date!
PURCHASE RRVT APPAREL
100% of proceeds support RRVT
Highlights from the Full 2025 Raccoon River Valley Trail User Survey
Each year, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association invites trail users to share their experiences and priorities. The results of the 2025 Trail User Survey highlight important trends that will help guide decisions about trail improvements, safety, and long-term sustainability. With nearly 300 responses, we now have our clearest picture yet of how the trail is being used — and what matters most to the people who enjoy it.
Who’s Using the Trail?
Most users are visitors.
About 57% live elsewhere in Iowa
About 38% live in trail towns
About 6% come from out of state
This Is a Trail People Use Often
This isn’t just a seasonal activity.
A majority of respondents use the trail weekly or more
Many ride several times a week
Long Rides, Real Stops
Trail users are going the distance.
Nearly three-quarters typically ride 20 miles or more
Most plan multi-town or all-day rides
Safety and Satisfaction Stand Out
The survey shows overwhelming confidence in the trail.
About 99% of respondents feel safe always or most of the time
About 97% would recommend the RRVT to others
Where Users See Room to Improve
Even with high satisfaction, users shared consistent ideas for improvement:
Smoother, more consistent pavement
Clearer connections and signage from the trail into towns
Voices from the Trail
Trail users also shared what they love about the Raccoon River Valley Trail — and what could make it even better. Here are a few of their voices, in their own words:
“Waukee is a great access point to the trail — clearer signs to nearby services would make it even better.”
“I love the changes in direction and elevation on the connector trail with the High Trestle Trail.”
“Brickyard Burgers in Adel is always a great stop on the ride.”
“Yale is a great spot to ride through on a longer trip — always feels welcoming.”
“The Tin Pig in Perry — the beers they brew and the service is always great.”
“Perry — the solar-panel covered rest area is a great stop. Other towns could really use covered shelters like that.”
“Jamaica is a nice, quiet spot along the trail — always a peaceful part of the ride.”
“The trail through Panora is great — a little more signage would make it even better.”
“Redfield feels like an important link on a longer ride — always a stretch I look forward to.”
“Minburn has that small-town feel that makes the trail experience even better.”
“Better signage at crossroads — need more location markers for safety.”
“Great trail east of Jamaica, but rough going north or south — could use some smoothing.”
“Dallas Center is a nice place to take a break and enjoy the trail ride.”
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. Your feedback helps keep the trail moving forward.
Now Accepting Nominations:
RRVTA Trail Champion Award
Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the Raccoon River Valley Trail?
Since the first segment of the trail opened in 1989, countless people have helped transform the RRVT into one of Iowa’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation. As the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association (RRVTA) celebrates 20 years of volunteer-led support, we’re proud to honor those trailblazers who have made a lasting difference.
The Trail Champion Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, volunteer service, advocacy, or vision has significantly shaped the trail’s success. A Trail Champion might be someone who has:
Played a key role in trail development or expansion
Worked to preserve rail corridors and secure rail-banking agreements
Strengthened connections between trail communities
Supported long-term maintenance, amenities, and user experience
Promoted the trail through marketing, storytelling, or community-building
Led or inspired volunteer efforts that enhance the trail
Championed public funding, partnerships, or statewide support for trails
If you know someone who has gone above and beyond for the Raccoon River Valley Trail — past or present — we’d love to hear about them.
Submit a nomination and help us celebrate the people who keep the RRVT moving forward.
Important eligibility note:Current members of the RRVTA Board of Directors, current members of the Guthrie, Greene, or Dallas County Conservation Boards, and current employees of those conservation departments are not eligible.
How to Nominate
Complete the online nomination form at: https://www.raccoonrivervalleytrail.org/
Nomination Deadline: February 1, 2026
Let’s start the new year by honoring the people who make our trail so special.Bottom of Form
Celebrate Trails Day – April 24
Mark your calendar! On Saturday, April 24, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association will join communities across the country in celebrating National Celebrate Trails Day with a special ride on the Raccoon River Valley Trail.
We’re still putting the finishing touches on the route and activities, but one thing is certain — this will be a fun, feel-good day to get outside, enjoy the trail, and celebrate everything it brings to our towns and counties.
Celebrate Trails Day is a nationwide event that highlights the importance of trails for recreation, transportation, health, and community connection. Our local celebration will reflect all of that, with a relaxed ride designed for trail users of all ages and abilities.
More details coming soon, including:
Ride route and distance options
Start location and schedule
For now, just save the date and plan to join us on April 24 as we celebrate the Raccoon River Valley Trail — one of Iowa’s great outdoor treasures.
Stay tuned for full details in the next newsletter and on our website and social media.
The Rise of Rail-Trails in Iowa
Each month, the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association shares a feature article that digs into a different side of cycling — from the history that built our trail system to the innovations that keep riders safe and inspired.
This month, we’re taking a closer look at how Iowa became a national leader in trail development.
Today, Iowa is known for having one of the strongest trail networks in the country — but that success began decades ago with a simple idea: don’t lose old railroad corridors… reuse them.
In the 1970s and ’80s, rail traffic declined across the state, leaving thousands of miles of unused track. Communities had a choice — let those corridors be sold off piece by piece, or preserve them for future public use. Thanks to the federal railbanking law passed in 1983, towns could protect rail lines for potential future rail service while converting them into trails in the meantime. That decision changed everything.
Iowa was perfectly positioned to lead the rail-trail movement. It had:• Abundant rail corridors• Flat, accessible terrain• Strong county conservation systems• Communities that believed in shared public spaces
Iowa quickly emerged as a model for the rail-to-trail movement. Beginning in the early to mid-1980s, counties and volunteers worked together to transform former rail lines into safe, scenic trails that connected towns and boosted local pride. Early success stories included the Cedar Valley Nature Trail in eastern Iowa, which opened in 1984, along with other pioneers such as the Hoover Nature Trail, Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail, Heritage Trail, Sauk Rail Trail and the Raccoon River Valley Trail.
Over time, Iowa’s trail system proved to be more than a recreational amenity — it became an economic engine. Trail towns saw more visitors, stronger small businesses, and a renewed sense of place. What once carried freight now carries families, tourists, and lifelong riders.
The rise of rail-trails is a story of reinvention — and Iowa stands at the heart of it. Thanks to smart policy, local leadership, and long-term vision, our state turned yesterday’s railroads into today’s pathways for health, connection, and community.
Iowa’s trail system wasn’t built by accident. It was built by people who believed that preserving rail corridors, investing in outdoor spaces, and connecting communities would pay dividends for generations. Today’s riders benefit from yesterday’s leadership — and tomorrow’s trails will depend on the champions we support today.
