The T-Bone Trail is a 21+ mile trail running through farmland and timber in the valley of the Nishnabotna River. The trail's name arises from a project of area cattle producers and business people in the early 1900's by which beef cattle were assembled and shipped on a special train to markets in Chicago, in "Operation T-Bone".
This trail passes through a number of small communities with varying amenities including local restaurants. Just south of Exira, a short spur trail connects to the "Plow in the Oak" park, where a horse-drawn plow leaned against a young tree in the 1860's has been gradually absorbed into a large oak tree. Several wooden bridges donated by local businesses provide easy passage down the partially-tree-lined trail for bicyclists, walkers, rollerbladers, and cross-country skiers.
The north end of the trail begins in Audubon in "Albert City Park", home of Albert, the Bull, a huge concrete sculpture of a Hereford bull, an icon of "Operation T-Bone". At the south end, the trail terminates at a trailhead on Dunbar Road, in the country 5 miles northeast of Atlantic. Local efforts to complete the trail into Atlantic are underway.
Trail Facts
Length: 21.2
Surface: Asphalt/concrete on converted railbed
Hours: Year-round, sunrise to sunset
Fees: None
Counties: Audubon, Cass
Cities: Audubon, Hamlin, Exira, Brayton, Atlantic
Connecting trails: None
Uses: Hiking, nature viewing, biking, cross-country skiing, skating
Trail Managers
Audubon County Conservation Board
2672 Littlefield Dr.
Exira, IA 50076
712-268-2762
Cass County Conservation Board
57744 Lewis Rd.
Lewis, IA 51544
712-769-2372
mlee@casscoia.us
Trail Brochure
If you'd like to download our brochure, please click here.
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