Veterans Trail

For a quiet stroll that's off the beaten path, head to the Veterans Trail on Coralville Lake with your four-legged pal! Located near the US Army Corps of Engineers, this quarter-mile loop is a tribute to all Johnson County veterans who have served in the military, as its name suggests. This barrier-free access trail was also built to accommodate visitors of all abilities, including wheelchair users and individuals with walking disabilities.

Follow the asphalt and boardwalk trail as it weaves through a beautiful wooded environment composed of mature hickory, oak, and maple trees. Take your time in crossing the boardwalk, as the surface can be slippery according to some visitors. While the trail is short, it features several rest areas and points of interest honoring local veterans. These include placards and stones bearing the soldiers' names and short descriptions of their service. Benches are also scattered along the trail, and about halfway through the route, you and Fido will come across a bird observation area.

Every year on Memorial Day, a dedication ceremony is held in honor of the county's veterans and names are added to the trail. Aside from people with disabilities and their caregivers, you and your pooch might share the path with those rehabilitating at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics or the VA Hospital in Iowa City. You might meet school groups touring the Coralville Lake area as well.

The Veterans Trail gives individuals who are unable to walk through the woods independently the opportunity to experience the outdoors once more. So that everyone can have a pawsitive time on the trail, be sure to keep your pup on a leash at all times and clean up after them immediately. Short, easy, and wooded, the Veterans Trail makes for a pleasant walk with your furry pal in Iowa City!