HOME > TRAIL GUIDES > IOWA > SUGAR BOTTOM RECREATION AREA

Sugar Bottom Recreation Area

Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Ride Type: Many Trails To Choose
Trail Type: Single Track 75%
Dirt Road 15%
Distance: 10.00 miles (16.09 KM)
Duration: 2 - 3 Hours
Elevation Gain: 250 Feet (76 Meters)
Climbing: Rolling Terrain
Skill Level: Something for everyone
User Density: not specified.

Ride Summary:
Multiple trails that can be connected for a 10 mile, mainly singletrack, ride.

Trail Description:
Park near the bathrooms at the end of the access road. Head back down the access road and find trail #101 on your left. This beginning section is easy. Reach a Y and take the right. A left on to #102 becomes more difficult. Continue following in a small loop passing a right (this will send you back to the start). Come to trail #103 on your right, follow as the trail gets more difficult. At the T, take a right then a left onto #104. This section can be challenging. Come out of #104 into Fast Times #101 and crank it up! Come out on the access road and make a left.

Find the horse trail on your right. Make a quick left on to #201. This trail turns to #202 by taking a right this loop comes out just beyond the entry. Continue on the trail and do a similar little loop. Again this starts with a right off the main trail and spits you out just beyond the entry. Continue down Hell Trail #204. Come to a T and take a left as the trail becomes #201 and is much easier. Continue along and make a hard right onto #205. At the end take another right and head out toward the horse trail. Exit to your left.

Once out on the horse trail, head towards it's end but find a trail breaking of on the right. Follow this small loop with comes out on the horse trail but take a quick left back onto trail. Follow this trail then take a more difficult spur trail off on the right. This will come out onto the main tail just down from where you entered. Continue on #301 for a while until you come to #303 which you enter on the right. Come out on to #301 taking a right. Pass a spur on the right and take the next left. If you come to the access road you've gone too far.

On #304, follow until you reach a Y, take the left. Come to another Y and continue left heading toward the lake. The trail turns around and heads back to the access road, pass two rights and reach the road. Cross the road and find #105 on the opposite side. Follow #105 as it meanders passing picnic tables as you reach the access road again. For a warm down you can take a left off the trail and then catch a right onto #305 for an easy loop to end the ride. This will come out again on the access road. You can ride back to your car or catch #101 and do another loop!

How to get there:
To get to Sugar Bottom from Iowa City or Interstate 80 take Dubuque Street north to North Liberty. At the 3rd stop sign in North Liberty turn right on county road F28 (also known as Maheaffy Bridge Road). After crossing the Coralville Receiver turn right into Sugar Bottom and follow the signs to the beach and frisbee golf course. From Cedar Rapids take Interstate 380 to North Liberty and follow the signs towards Lake Macbride and Sugar Bottom

Additional Notes:
Many of these trails are ONE-WAY! Facilities available in park. Watch for hikers.