A vision for a 100 plus mile trail system across northwest Iowa is sharpening, and Buena Vista County sits at the center of what could become a major regional attraction.
Storm Lake United Executive Director Laura Hanks and Storm Lake native Riley Godfredson briefed the Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors Tuesday on the emerging plan from the Five County Trails Committee, which includes Dickinson, Clay, Buena Vista, Sac and Carroll counties. The group is working with engineering firm ISG on a feasibility study for the Iowa Great Lakes Connection Trail, a route that would eventually link Spirit Lake to Carroll — and fill in the largest remaining gap in Buena Vista County.
Hanks said Clay County already has its segment built from the Dickinson County line to north of Spencer, and Sac County has completed its stretch from the Carroll County line to Lake View. Buena Vista County, she said, is the only county with no portion constructed.
ISG estimates the feasibility study at up to $100,000, covering route analysis, design considerations, cost estimates and funding strategies. Hanks asked Buena Vista County to consider contributing up to $50,000, with Clay and Sac counties splitting the remaining half.
Godfredson also discussed a second project: finally completing the trail around Storm Lake, a long discussed but unfinished loop. He said the most critical missing link is South Shore, where steep hills and narrow shoulders on Airport Road create safety concerns. Godfredson has already met with landowners along the shore and received positive feedback — including permission to explore easements — for a roughly 1.4 mile segment connecting South Cove to Bel Air Beach.
Hanks highlighted the larger community and economic benefits that would come with a more direct route.
TRAIL SYSTEM-1 (9:19–10:07) “It interrupts a lot less land if you just go straight across than if you go around it. And then that would connect all the way from South Cove down to Casino Beach area, and then it would go around the marina area, which you know, economic development, if we’re looking at somebody trying to do some sort of business in that marina property in the county, it makes it more attractive if you have a bike trail existing that is going to be going by that property, creating more traffic in that property.”
Godfredson said completing the South Shore segment first would demonstrate local commitment, improve safety and show residents and visitors what a full lake loop could mean for tourism and recreation. He said trail users frequently ask whether Storm Lake has a complete loop — and right now, the answer is no.
TRAIL SYSTEM-2 (12:28–13:35) “It’s a very large question. Does the trail go all the way around the lake? Can I take my family and go ride, can I do this or that? When you have all of these surrounding counties that already have very nice bike trails that have proven that they are creating impact on the communities, I think this is a key piece that maybe the county could definitely excel with … The five-county trail is a much bigger project, it’s a little bit farther out there, but out of the five counties, we’re the only county that has nothing.”
Supervisors raised questions about the county’s long dormant Buena Vista County Trails Committee, which hasn’t met in several years. They said any major trail decisions — especially around maintenance, easements and long term planning — need to involve that committee, which includes representatives from each city, county staff and community members.
Still, board members expressed interest in moving forward. They asked Hanks and Godfredson to return with specific feasibility study figures for the South Shore project and to confirm whether Clay and Sac counties are willing to share costs for the larger regional study.
The Five County Trails Committee meets again in early September, and Hanks expects more clarity on costs and next steps.
