• Scott County Park

    Boardwalk on the Tarmac trail.

    Boardwalk on the Tarmac trail.

    Summary

    The Scott County Park trail system offers the largest amount of singletrack at one location in the QC area. A full loop will be near 11 miles in length. The trails offer a variety of difficulty level from beginner to advanced and explore the diverse terrain and natural areas of the park. Trail character varies from open and flowy to extremely tight and twisty (bring the 26er!) with some short climbs and descents thrown into the mix. Be sure to try the many, optional, technical features along the way to add an extra challenge.

    Trail Map


    Click to enlarge.

    Trail Information

    • Park View (Beginner 3.0 mi) Meandering paths through deep woods, open prairie and pine forest. With a small creek crossing thrown in for fun.
    • Long Grove (Beginner 1.76 mi) Open rolling wooded terrain, tall grass prairie segments, and "tunnels" through dense thicket. A 20 foot arched bridge takes you over Glynn's Creek.
    • ScoCoPa (Beginner 1.46 mi) Intermediate trail with tight, sharp turns and a fast downhill. Small roots, several small jumps and log skinnys lead to a challenging climb out at the end.
    • Tarmac (Intermediate 0.95mi) A couple nice climbs, long boardwalks, and a rewarding switchbacking descent through a large meadow overlooking Pride Lake.
    • Jumbo (Intermediate 0.48mi) Twisty and flowy with a few moderate climbs. A section of log rollovers and skinny's keep it interesting. An optional small drop brings you back to the main trail.
    • Bad Neighbourhood (Intermediate 0.18mi) Fun twists and turns lead to a steep 'pop-up' section that takes you out of the ravine.
    • Cannon Loop (Expert 1.84 mi) Short punchy climbs, narrow and twisty, and a few optional log ride features. This one will test both your bike handling skills and your lung capacity.
    • Area 51 (Advanced 0.61 mi) Many short and extremely steep climbs/descents through a stream bed, wooden ladder bridges, and numerous slow speed technical features. Bring your A game and a set of grippy tires.

    In addition to the singletrack trail system, there are also 5-6 miles of mowed grassy doubletrack trail that follow the perimeter of the park. These trails are open to equestrians, hiking, biking, and cross country skiing in the winter. There are also a few miles of hiking only trails located in the interior of the park. Check out the park overview map for locations of these trails.

    Boardwalk on the Tarmac loop.

    Boardwalk on the Tarmac loop.

    Park Hours

    Trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Night riding is not allowed unless by special permit.

    Trail Closures

    The dirt trails at the park are closed to all users when wet and muddy to prevent damage. Trails also close during winter and spring freeze thaw cycles when the soil is extremely sensitive to rutting and soil displacement. Check the trail status before you head out to the park in the upper left corner of this page. Trail conditions are also available by calling Scott County Park at: (563) 328-3282

    Directions

    From the QC Area:

    Take HW-61 North to Park View Exit (#129) Look for the Scott County Park road signs.
    Turn Right on 267th St. and go 0.8 mi.
    Turn Left on Veterans Way/Scott Park Rd and go .25 mi
    Turn Right on 270th St and go 0.9 mi
    Turn Left into Park Entrance and go 0.4 mi (the first right turn)
    Turn Right and go 0.3 mi to the Pride Lake Trailhead.
    Don't park on the grass! An overflow lot is available across the road.

    More Info

    Scott County Park is also home to a variety of amenities for those less interested in biking such as a golf course, multiple picnic shelters with tables, grills and/or fireplaces, five unique camping areas throughout the park with modern restrooms and showers, several cabins available for rent, a recently renovated Olympic-size heated swimming pool and aquatic center, a baseball field, several playgrounds, a radio-controlled airplane site, and hike-only and equestrian-only nature trails. Winter activities at Scott County Park include cross-country skiing and snow shoeing.

    More info about the park itself can be found at Scott County's website: Scott County Park

  • Local Trail Conditions

    Report Trail Issue

    Sylvan Island

    Open

    Sunderbruch

    Open

    Scott County Park

    Open

    Illiniwek

    Open

    Westbrook

    Caution

    Stephens

    Closed

    Prairie Park

    Closed

    Dorrance

    Open Some Soft Spots

    Dog Park

    Open

    Scott Community College

    Closed

  • MTB Trail Etiquette

    • Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures — ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.

    • Leave No Trace: Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.

    • Control Your Bicycle: Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits.

    • Yield Appropriately: Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming — a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to other non-motorized trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. In general, strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one.

    • Never Scare Animals: Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. When passing horses, use special care and follow directions from the horseback riders (ask if uncertain). Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses.

    • Plan Ahead: Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.