Discovery Park Hard Surfaced Trails

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fishing · Wildflowers

Restrooms are located at the Environmental Learning Center. Iowa fishing regulations are in effect in this park.

The path is paved, so running is easy. Be on the lookout for larger groups, especially those with strollers, if you choose to run through the park.

This trail is a paved path that winds its way around Discovery Park, located on the outskirts of Muscatine. The park provides residents and visitors an opportunity to learn about the plants, trees, and wildlife that can be found in this area of Eastern Iowa.

To access the trail, there are several parking areas throughout the park, so feel free to take your pick as to where to start. If you park at the Environmental Learning Center, they have exhibits that provide more context as to the plants and animals that can be found in the area, and have many kid friendly programs. The path crosses the road, follows it closely for a short bit before moving along the outskirts of a meadow and move among various trees that make up the landscape.

Heron Hideaway Pond is in view across the street, where you may see any number of birds that call the area home. There are several "primitive" trails that are not paved and depart from the main trail. The trail then runs by the Muscatine Arboretum, where you can learn more about the trees that are part of the ecosystem here. The trail winds around Discover Pond, a nice pond where various different water fowl, fish, and other animals call home.

Crossing the road again, the trail enters some woods, crosses two wooden bridges, before emerging near a field and the County Home Cemetery. You can learn about the county home cemetery before continuing back to the parking area at the learning center. This trail has numerous benches along the way that provide the ability to rest if needed, and many activities along the way to break up the run for little kids.