Pickard Recreation Area

McVay Trail

4.1 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 1 hr 24 min

McVay Trail is a 4.1-mile out-and-back in Pickard Recreation Area near Indianola, IA. It is mostly level, with 81 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi899 – 968 ft4.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Jerry Kelly Trail 41.36573, -93.55851
Nearest town Indianola, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

McVay Trail

4.1 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 1 hr 24 min

Elevation 899–967 ft

Out & Back · Pickard Recreation Area

Trailhead: Jerry Kelly Trail · 41.36573, -93.55851

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:00 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Jerry Kelly Trail, heading E.
  2. 0.1 miSharp right onto McVay Trail, heading SW.
  3. 1.9 miReach McVay Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  4. 1.9 miSharp left onto Jerry Kelly Trail, heading W.
  5. 300 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

100% paved

Weather

Sunrise 7:00 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~47 min). Leave by 6:10 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead