Hiking Trails & Parks in Ames, Iowa
27 trails & 0 parks in Ames, located in Story County, Iowa.
About Outdoor Recreation in Ames, Iowa
Ames offers 27 mapped hiking trails and 0 federally managed parks within the city or nearby. Located in Story County, Iowa, it’s a starting point for hikers, campers, and casual nature seekers.
Explore more nearby: Story County overview, all Story County trails, or statewide Iowa list.
Hiking Trails in Ames
From the OutsideAtlas Blog
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in Iowa, Ranked
Iowa's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Tobias MrzykIowa's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten Iowa trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Sergei AkulichThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Iowa
Ten gentle, well-marked Iowa trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Tobias MrzykThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in Iowa
Iowa's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in Iowa
Federal parks and recreation areas in Iowa ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Tobias MrzykBest Waterfall Hikes in Iowa: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
Iowa's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.