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Favorite ride: Des Moines River Loop



Des Moines River Loop
The author and his BMW R 1200 RT at Ledges State Park.

There are some great roads in central Iowa around the town of Boone, about 45 miles north of Des Moines. This ride crosses the Des Moines River on a series of county highways and backstreets, offering a wide selection of curves and beautiful scenery. I’m driving a BMW R 1200 RT today, but the roads are very motorcycle-friendly. This 124-mile loop minimizes straights and takes a few hours, so let’s get started!

Des Moines River Loop

Click here to view the route on REVER

First things first: this ride is in the countryside, so be on the lookout for deer, farm equipment, and road debris. Our starting point is in downtown Boone. We followed Mamie Eisenhower Avenue (the former First Lady was born here) east to the junction with the R27, where we turned south and along the west side of Boone Municipal Airport. Like all roads on this trip, the pavement is in good condition and meanders; you can see through the bends, so they are fun to drive at any speed.

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Des Moines River Loop
Ledges State Park is named for the sandstone rocks that run along the Des Moines River. Photo courtesy of the Iowa Office of Tourism.

We cross US 30th and continue south to E52 (250th Street). Turning right (west), we continue to the upper entrance of Ledges State Park, where sandstone ledges rise 100 feet above the Des Moines River. This beautiful park offers hiking, picnicking and camping, and we will be returning to this park at the end of our trip.

We return to R27, turn right and head South again until the R27 ends at the intersection with Highway E57 (Road 270). We turned right (west) and crossed the Des Moines River, enjoying the first of many beautiful river views. Crossing the river is a signpost for Camp Mitigwa, and we turn left (south) on R26, also known as Magnolia Road. We followed the bends and turns on the great road down to the Des Moines River valley, then turned left (easting) on ​​E62 (Road 325) and soon reached the junction with State Route 210.

Des Moines River Loop
The Des Moines River is a 525-mile tributary of the Mississippi that flows through central Iowa and its eponymous city. Crossing and walking along the river gives this ride a character most people don’t associate with the Hawkeye State.

Looking straight ahead, you’ll see the High Trestle Trail Bridge, a former railroad bridge over the Des Moines River, now a biking and walking trail. After sightseeing, we turn around and ride E62 and R26 north to reach E57. We turned left (west) on E57, then right (north) on R18 (L Avenue) towards the small town of Moingona.

We cross US 30th Street and turn right (east) on E41 (216th Street), which is part of the Lincoln Freeway Heritage Route and across the Des Moines River. After climbing out of the river valley, we see an odd-looking slate mound to the left, a reminder of Iowa’s once booming coal industry. We entered Boone again from the west, picked up Mamie Eisenhower Avenue and then turned north on Marion Street.

Des Moines River Loop
Part of the route follows the Lincoln Highway Heritage Route.

After crossing the railroad tracks, we turn left on the E26 Expressway (12th Street) and make a few more turns taking the E26 along the winding sidewalk and across the Des Moines River. We exited the river valley on a wonderfully smooth and winding road followed by a short straight.

We turn right (north) on the P70 Highway (H Avenue), which runs along the western edge of the Don Williams Recreation Area, home to the lake, camping facilities and golf course. We continue north to the junction with the E18 (130th Street), and turn right (east) towards Pilot Mound, a small town with a sense of humor that you will notice as you pass by. . We cross the Des Moines River again on the E18, and then turn left (north) on the R21 (Nature Road).

Des Moines River Loop
In addition to the beautiful wooded areas along the Des Moines River, there are a number of beautiful parks along the route that offer recreational opportunities.

We passed another very small town, Ridgeport, which is not on most maps. We took the R21, zigzagging a few times until it became first Chase Avenue, then Stagecoach Road, and then Stratford. We turned left (west) on Highway 175 and quickly turned right (north) onto Highway D54 (Bellville Road), a stretch that really slopes down to – you guessed it – the Des Moines River valley. There can be a lot of gravel at the bottom of this path, so always be sharp.

Des Moines River Loop
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad locomotives are painted old gray in Northwestern Chicago. This cruise ship and museum is a must-see for railway lovers.

Out of the river area, the road goes straight (and becomes 330th Street) until we turn left (on Racine Avenue) into Dayton, a small town with fuel, eateries, and the driving range that we I saw it on the right when leaving town going south. We’re back on Highway 175, the road curving eastward and taking us across the Des Moines River, our sixth crossing! As Highway 175 curves north, we continue straight ahead and turn right (south) on Washington Avenue. After a series of interesting turns, we turned back to R21 (Chase Avenue/Nature Road) and continued south to Boone on Division Road.

Des Moines River Loop
A trail bridge in McHose Park on the south side of Boone.

At 10th Street, you can turn left (east) to visit the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad. This cruise line was started by volunteers and has grown into a great attraction with a great museum. We continued south on Division Road, crossing 3rd Street (Lincoln Expressway) and arriving at a four-way stop at Park Avenue.

We turned left (east) on Park Avenue and passed Honey Creek and into McHose Park, a great place to stop and stretch. We turned right on Francis Mason Drive and headed south through the park, exiting near US 30th Street.

Des Moines River Loop
A stone bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in Ledges State Park. Photo courtesy of the Iowa Office of Tourism.

We quickly headed east on US 30th, then turned right (south) on Oriole Road towards the Boone Freeway. Oriole Road meanders towards the Des Moines River and the lower entrance to Ledges State Park. The road is slippery and fast because before you know it, the speed limit will drop and it can be difficult for you to slow down before entering the park. Check out the sandstone ledges, enjoy the park, and then head back to Boone to buy fuel, food, or a hotel room. Me? I was ready to fill up with gas and travel another 120 miles home.

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