Iola is the second-largest community along the Prairie Spirit Trail (population 5704 as of 2010), and is the county seat of Allen County. As such, it has many services, amenities, and points of interest for travelers.
Iola has one official trailhead, at Cofachique Park, near the intersection with State Street (old Highway 169) at Mile Marker 108.6. When the Prairie Spirit Trail first opened in Iola in 2008, Cofachique Park was the “end of the line”, but the city extend the trail another mile-plus, to Riverside Park (mile marker 109.7). Volunteers with Thrive Allen County then created the Southwind Rail Trail heading south from Iola to Humboldt, another 6.5 miles. The Southwind opened in 2013. Riverside Park serves as a second defacto trailhead.
In 2014, Iola added sharrows on some of their streets as an aid in guiding trail users downtown. The sharrows run along Washington Avenue, and connect to the Prairie Spirit Trail at West Street and at Riverside Drive.
In 2015, Iola added the Missouri Pacific Recreational Trail, which follows the old Missouri Pacific Railroad right-of-way east into town. The Mo-Pac Trail connects to the Prairie Spirit Trail at about mile marker 109.
In 2016, Iola added another trail system, the Lehigh Portland Trails, which offer over 10 miles of wide gravel trails and narrower singletrack trails for hiking, biking, and trail running. The Lehigh Portland Trails connect to the Southwind Rail Trail just south of the Elm Creek Trestle Bridge.
Directions North and South From Iola
Services along the Prairie Spirit Trail in Iola
Photo | Service, Address, Phone | Services |
---|---|---|
Allen County Historical Society 20 South Washington Avenue, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-3051 | ||
America's Best Value Inn 1315 North State Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5161 | ||
Around the Corner Coffee and Eatery 102 S. Washington Avenue, Iola, KS 66749 620-380-6595 | ||
B & B Country Cafe 324 West Garfield Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-8691 | ||
Bolling's Meat Market & Deli 201 South State Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-380-6328 | ||
China Palace 110 North State Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-3723 | ||
Dairy Queen Iola 323 S State St, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-3691 | ||
Dudley’s Done Right BBQ 2402 N State St, Iola, KS 66749 620-380-6580 | ||
El Jimador Iola 902 North State Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-7300 | ||
General Funston Boyhood Home 14 South Washington, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-3051 | ||
Iola RV Park & Storage 1327 US Highway 54, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-2200 | ||
Iola Trailhead 1310 North State Street, Iola, KS 66749 | ||
King's Sandwich Shop 321 South State Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-6271 | ||
Lehigh Portland Trails | ||
Old Jail Museum 203 North Jefferson, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-3051 | ||
Renee's Bakery 2 North Washington, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-2922 | ||
Riverside Park 600 S State St, Iola, KS 66749 620-365-4930 | ||
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill 105 E Jackson St, Iola, Kansas 66749 620-228-5322 | ||
Sam & Louie's 2150 N State Street, Iola, KS 66749 620-380-6900 | ||
Southwind Cycle and Outdoor 17 E. Madison Ave, Iola , KS 66749 620-228-5566 |
Iola Photos
Elm Creek Bridge Before Trail
Elm Creek Bridge Railing Construction
End of the Trail 2010
Pre-Southwind Corridor
Southwind Rail Trail: Before
Touring Cyclists on the Southwind Rail Trail
More Information About Iola