Gay Lea Wilson Trail
Travel north/south between Des Moines to Pleasant Hill and Ankeny on the Gay Lea Wilson Trail West (7.5 miles) or take the spur in Pleasant Hill for the Gay Lea Wilson Trail east to Altoona (5.9 miles). This trail connects to the Chichaqua Valley Trail in Berwick and continues through Ankeny, connecting to the Neal Smith and the High Trestle Trails. This paved trail supports runners, walkers, cross-country skiers, cyclists, and in-line skaters.
Gay Lea Wilson Trailheads:
- Pleasant Hill Trailhead: located on the west end of the Copper Creek Plaza parking lot near the lake (off University Ave.) AND trailhead located off Scott Avenue and E. Oakwood Dr.
- Des Moines access is available at Sargent Park at 3500 E. Douglas Ave.
- Access in Ankeny at Carney Marsh (580 SE 54th St.)
- Altoona trailhead is located at 8th St. SW and 7th Ave. SW
- Access in Berwick is available for both the Gay Lea Wilson Trail and the Chichaqua Valley Trail at Mally’s Park at 5792 NE Berwick Dr.
Trail Closure Notice:
The Iowa DOT notified Polk County Conservation that it is closing two trails due to construction work in the area for the east mix-master of I-80/I-35.
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- Chichaqua Valley Trail closed on October 24 at Interstate 80, with public notification signs posted along the trail on the north and south sides of the interstate.
- Gay Lea Wilson trail closed on October 31. at Interstate 80, with public notification signs posted along the trail on the north and south sides of the interstate.
- Both trails will be closed for extended periods of time, with an expected re-opening in July, 2025.
Detour option: Trail users can attempt to take a detour, traveling along NE 29th St. to reconnect with the trails north or south of the interstate. As with all routes of travel on bike or foot, you should scout this detour prior to recreating, to determine if it meets your level of comfort for safety in avoiding car traffic.
