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Saylorville Dam loop from Polk City

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Saylorville Dam loop from Polk City

Hard

4.6

(9691)

9,692

riders

Saylorville Dam loop from Polk City

01:41

26.1km

190m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 25, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.65 km

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

Highlight • Monument

Great views of the lake from the Neal Smith Trail as it passes over the Big Creek Barrier Dam. The dam was constructed to protect Polk City from flooding from Saylorville Lake.

Tip by

11.9 km

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

The Saylorville Lake Visitor Center is located at the southeast corner of the lake and offers a variety of scheduled events, a theater, several interactive displays, and a selection of maps. A butterfly garden is also a short walk away.

Tip by

12.1 km

Saylorville Dam

Highlight • Monument

Pause your ride at Saylorville Dam for scenic views. This dam on the Des Moines River in Iowa is only 11 miles upstream from Des Moines, offering a great place to hop off your bike and take a break!

Tip by

26.1 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.2 km

5.85 km

5.33 km

3.08 km

674 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

13.5 km

6.87 km

5.06 km

674 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Friday 22 May

20°C

11°C

29 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Saylorville Dam loop from Polk City

Big Creek Barrier Dam and views of Saylorville Lake

Saylorville Lake Visitor Center

Saylorville Dam

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