Trail Running Near Ames, IA There are not many resources for trail running near Ames, so I created a list of my favorite trails and routes. When possible, I will include the driving time (from my house) for reference. Very big combined map

Skunk River Greenbelt Anderson Park Segment, 2.6 miles one-way. Light hills in the middle and northern parts. A bit of prairie and dirt road. I recommend starting at the south end, simply because the southern-most half mile is the most boring part of the trail.
Soper's Mill Segment, 5 miles with small loops. The East side is public park, and the Eastmost side is accessible from an I35 rest stop. The West side is private. The West end trail also ends abruptly with no reason.
McFarland Park Segment, 7+ miles loop/out-and-back. Some concrete and crushed gravel near the lake. Some open prairie grass trails, and some hilly wood running. 6.5 Mile Exploration loop. 8.75 Mile Link with Soper's Mill.
Petersen Park Segment, 6+ miles loop/out-and-back. West side has a lake and lots of parking. Very flat and walkable. Some parts are heavy forest, others are grass. East side is denser, some hills, but also some 4x4 trails. Occasional access to backyards of development.
Carr Park Segment, 4.5 miles Forested dirt trail and open fields.
Linkages: Mega Linkage I, 15.5 miles one way. Mega Linkage (Proposed), 22 miles one way. Warning: To complete these linkages, there is a short segment of trail that is currently marked "No Trespassing"!
In-Town Parks Inis Grove Park, 2.5+ miles Mixed trails, woodchips, and asphalt. Steep stairway and asphalt trail connects with Carr Park. The most technical, least maintained trails I've seen.
ISU/YMCA Trails, 4+ miles Very close to campus, there are two entrances: one accessible from the ISU Applied Science Center and another from the golf course. Some wide open trails, but mostly is one 3-mile loop called "Peggy's Loop". Hilly!
Smith and Brookside Park Path Asphalt path stretching from South 4th Street to University Village or Ames High. Also an East entrance. Some is pretty close to University Avenue, but other parts are in the woods.
Brookside Park Trails, <1 mile A woodchip-laden almost-loop nestled in the forest north of Brookside Park. Accessible from the asphalt path or from the baseball field parking lot. Features posts designating certain natural features.
Ada Hayden Park: Figure 8 loop, 6.1 miles (mixed asphalt and gravel).
Medium Drives Ledges State Park Brushy Creek State Recreation Area 29+ miles of trail, 50min drive. Dolliver State Park
Long Drives Waubonsie State Park

To motivate my running, I am undertaking the following challenge: RUN ALL THE TRAILS!

Here are some maps of my progress:

Ames City Trails	Skunk River Greenbelt
Ames and Skunk River