The Johnston Brief
The High Trestle Trail runs 25 miles from Ankeny northwest to Woodward, but almost everyone comes for one thing: the half-mile-long, 13-story-high bridge over the Des Moines River valley, lit up blue at night in one of Iowa's most photographed scenes. It isn't in Johnston, but it's an easy metro outing. Here's how to see it, when the lights are on, and where to park.
The High Trestle Trail is a 25-mile paved rail trail from Ankeny to Woodward. Its centerpiece is the High Trestle Trail Bridge, a half-mile span 13 stories above the river valley, wrapped in 41 diamond-shaped steel ribs that glow blue at night. The bridge sits between Madrid and Woodward. From Johnston, most people drive out to the Madrid trailhead to see it. Lights run sunset to midnight (Apr-Oct), and until 9 p.m. in winter.
The High Trestle Trail Bridge is a half-mile-long crossing that stands about 13 stories above the Des Moines River valley, one of the largest trail bridges in the world. Its art installation, by designer David Dahlquist, is a run of 41 diamond-shaped steel frames you ride through; from the right angle they line up into a tunnel-like optical illusion meant to evoke looking down an old coal mine shaft, a nod to the area's mining history. At night, blue LED lights make it glow, and that's the shot everyone drives out for.
The lights run from sunset until midnight from April 1 through October 31, and shut off earlier, at 9 p.m., from November 1 through March 31. Golden hour into full dark is the sweet spot for photos, so aim to arrive before sunset, watch it light up, then ride or walk back with a headlamp or bike light.
The bridge is out near Madrid, at the northwest end of the trail, so where you park matters:
The High Trestle doesn't start in Johnston; its southern end is in Ankeny, to the northeast, and the bridge is out near Madrid. For the bridge itself, most people from Johnston just drive to the Madrid trailhead, roughly a 35-to-45-minute trip. If you'd rather ride, Johnston plugs into the metro trail network through the Beaver Creek Greenbelt, Trestle to Trestle, and Neal Smith trails, which link toward the Ankeny end of the High Trestle, though reaching the bridge that way is a serious all-day out-and-back. For closer-to-home riding, see our Johnston trails guide and the Neal Smith Trail.
The ride pairs well with a stop in Madrid or the small towns along the way, and the bridge is a favorite for an evening outing. If you're building a day around it, our things to do in Johnston guide has more nearby ideas for before or after the drive.
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It crosses the Des Moines River valley between Madrid and Woodward, at the northwest end of the trail. The closest parking is in Madrid: the Johnson Family Trailhead at Dalander Park on Highway 17, and a lot on QF Lane about three-quarters of a mile from the bridge.
April 1 through October 31, sunset to midnight; November 1 through March 31, they shut off at 9 p.m. Arrive before sunset for the best of it.
About 25 miles, paved, from Ankeny to Woodward, with trailheads in Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid, and Woodward. It opened in 2011.
The trail doesn't start in Johnston; its southern end is in Ankeny and the bridge is out near Madrid. Most people from Johnston drive to the Madrid trailhead, about 35 to 45 minutes. By bike, Johnston connects into the metro trail network, which links toward the Ankeny end.
For most people, yes, especially after dark when it glows. It's one of Iowa's most photographed spots and an easy flat walk or ride from the Madrid trailhead.