Mormon Handcart Park - Park in Iowa City - The University of Iowa, Hawkeye Ct, USA

The Mormon Handcart Park is a lovely spot for a picnic and brief walk through history. This grove of trees is the riverside spot where nearly 3,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints gathered, camped, prepared and departed for the 1,100 mile walk West. The site includes a free parking area, picnic tables and benches, a cemetery and paved paths through the trees. Incredible to ponder how many of these European, Scandinavian and East Coast Americans traveled here to the “end of the railroad”, only to begin the next (and hardest) part of their journey west. Pioneers in the truest sense. Note: “I Walked to Zion” by Susan Madden is a helpful history book containing personal journal / narratives from those who camped and gathered here before walking across the plains. (Much gratitude to the University of Iowa for maintaining this important site.)

We visited the park to get in some steps, which turned into a history lesson. The trail is mainly shaded through the woods and is well paved. The various plaques that tell the story of the early Morman settlers' journey to Utah. They took the train to Iowa City and built handcarts for the rest of the trip because they couldn't afford oxen. The trail connects with the main trail along the river. It was well worth the visit.

Nice small park near the Coralville strip. The trail is made of asphalt and a little steep at the beginning but levels out along a ridge then to a large open area farther down. It is bounded on one side with a wooded area and prairie on the other. Great place to get out and stretch your legs. Easy to get to. Some interesting history to learn about also.

Stopped to give th dogs a drink. Ended up taking them on a quick 5min walk. the trail was lovely and would have loved to have gone farther but time didn't allow. The Dogs Love it .

Beautifully secluded and connects to a network of other trails. This place is a gem of American history and Iowan history specifically. Amazing scenery and a special place considering the history. Great to run and ride.

This is a little known place, but worth spending the 20-30 minutes to walk and see the history of the area. Otherwise it ia a nice trail for a walk/bike/jog.

It's an interesting trail where you can stroll along and get some "reading" in at the same time (there's informational plaques that gives historical info about how some LDS pioneers passed through Iowa before moving towards the west side of USA eventually leading to Utah). Credit to University of Iowa and LDS Church

Nice paved(asphalt) trail. There are some sites to see and a couple good spots to look out into the woods. One of our favorites due to the location-it links up with a couple of other bike paths so we can easily walk a good distance. There is a parking lot, but no facilities on site. Not the widest path which makes it difficult when passing others,especially with double stroller. It closes at sundown.