News

On a hot summer day in Iowa, it’s easy to find bicyclists buzzing along trails and paddlers floating down rivers and lakes. Many of these bicyclists, paddlers and anglers contribute to the local economy by visiting shops to buy gear before a ride, gassing up their car or relaxing at a restaurant or brewery. Iowa’s [...]

Cleaner waterways, updated recreational opportunities and a boost to economic development are a few of the outcomes of a partnership between two statewide organizations. The Great Outdoors Foundation and Iowa Confluence Water Trails are leading an effort to activate water trails and improve conservation efforts throughout the state. Their projects have found success with public-private [...]

Construction continues on the ICON Water Trails project South of the Scott Avenue bridge at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers in Des Moines, Aug. 26, 2025. To view the full article, visit the Des Moines Register.  

The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails has launched the fifth annual Wild Prairie Showdown, an eight-week peer-to-peer campaign to raise awareness, support and capital for conservation and recreation efforts in Central Iowa. To read the full article, visit the Business Record.

DES MOINES, IA (Aug. 21, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce the launch of the fifth annual Wild Prairie Showdown, a peer-to-peer campaign advancing conservation and recreation in the region. The Wild Prairie Showdown is a vibrant grassroots event that will conclude with a pseudo-pageant in which [...]

DES MOINES, IA (July 21, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce that the annual Wild Prairie Showdown awards are open for nominations. These honors celebrate exceptional contributions to conservation and recreation from community members involved with the Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails, aligning with the [...]

The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board today approved Community Attraction and Tourism grant awards in Des Moines, Floyd, Harlan and Hardin County. CAT grants are designed to boost artistic, cultural and recreational projects that improve the quality of life in Iowa. The board approved a $1 million CAT grant for the ICON Water Trails project [...]

DES MOINES, IA (July 16, 2025) – ICON Water Trails and its partners, Hubbell Realty Company, Polk County, and Polk County Conservation, among others, have broken ground on the Hubbell Trailhead at the Fleur Drive dam. This is ICON’s second whitewater site to begin construction; Principal Point at the Scott Avenue dam continues on schedule. [...]

Kayakers, grab your paddles! Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON) officially broke ground on its Hubbell Trailhead on Tuesday, July 15. As the hot summer sun beat down, supporters of the initiative gathered to find out what makes this project so special. To read more, visit the Des Moines Register.

ICON Water Trails announced the first ICONic Riverfest event raised nearly $25,000 and removed 560 pounds of debris and 15 trailer loads of invasive species at 11 locations across ICON’s network with the help of about 140 volunteers. ICONic Riverfest is a regional volunteer initiative focused on furthering ICON’s mission of improving the quality, safety [...]