Story By: Grace Benson ’26
Most Central College students know that Lake Red Rock is only a 10-minute drive from campus. However, many don’t know that Red Rock is Iowa’s largest lake with some of the most scenic recreational opportunities in Iowa. Visiting Red Rock is one of my favorite activities during the school year, but it’s common to hear Central students say they don’t know where to begin their adventures at the lake.
Well, I’m here to help! I’ve become very familiar with Lake Red Rock through swimming workouts, long bike rides and scenic runs as part of my training with the Central women’s triathlon team. In fact, one of our workouts each year is to bike the entire 17-mile Volksweg Trail from Central to Cordova Park and then back to Central for a 34-mile bike loop. The trail follows the Des Moines River and hugs the perimeter of the lake for miles of timbered areas, restored prairies and stunning lake views. The workouts are tough, but I’m always thankful for the chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery with my teammates.
“Ride” along with me as I take you on a biking tour of my favorite stops along the Volksweg Trail! I hope my insights help you find the perfect spot for you to begin making your own memories at Lake Red Rock.
Starting Point: The A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex
My teammates and I always start our bike rides at Central. We leave from the parking lot of the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex and take W 5th St. down to the Volksweg Water Plant Trailhead at 1301 University St. This location is the start of the trail and features a parking lot, picnic tables and a directional sign. From here, we ride along the trail until we pass through the first stop I will be highlighting for us — Howell Station!
The Volksweg Water Plant Trailhead is a short walk down the street from Central and marks the beginning of the trail that runs along Lake Red Rock.
Stop 1: Howell Station Recreation Area
Howell Station rests on the edge of the Des Moines River just below the Red Rock Dam. Here, the Volksweg Trail follows the river through the campground and offers closeup views of the Horn’s Ferry Bridge, the first bridge to connect Pella and Knoxville in the early 1880s. Half of the bridge mysteriously collapsed in 1991, but the remainder of the bridge is maintained as an observation vantage point. Fun fact: I have visited this bridge as part of an environmental science class to watch bald eagles! Howell Station offers further trail opportunities that branch off from the main trail. I enjoy running and walking on these trails when I have the chance, but for now we’ll continue to our next stop.
The Horn’s Ferry Bridge features informational signs and a tower viewer to aid visitors on the lookout for bald eagles.
Stop 2: North Overlook Recreation Area
North Overlook is the next major campground we will pass through. This recreation area has so much more to offer than just camping spots! However, my friends and I have camped here twice and loved it both times. North Overlook is my go-to Red Rock destination for breathtaking sunset views, a swimming beach and hiking trails through the timber. This area has some big hills to bike up, but the views are always worth the climb. I highly recommend North Overlook as a starting point for anyone wanting to get more familiar with Red Rock.
Pictured here, my friends Morgan Peterson ’26 and Esther Belzer ’26 help prepare our campsite for a camping adventure at North Overlook with a few of our other friends.
Stop 3: Wallashuck Recreation Area Campground
Our next stop is Wallashuck Recreation Area. With beautiful tall trees that are perfect for hammocking, Wallashuck is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful day outside. I especially enjoy the scenery in the fall when the leaves change colors. A short walk further along the trail offers unique paved bridges nestled deep into the timber. For all these reasons, Wallashuck is one of my favorite places to go for a walk!
The Volksweg Trail around Wallashuck features scenic paved bridges like this one, which my teammates and I always enjoy biking on.
Stop 4: Roberts Creek Park
Roberts Creek Park is where I do most of my training for the swimming portion of triathlon. Although the Volksweg Trail doesn’t provide direct access to Roberts Creek, you can’t miss the beautiful 300-acre Roberts Creek Lake right across the road on the north side of County Highway G-28. At Roberts Creek Lake, you can camp, fish and explore. You can also kayak and paddleboard either with your own gear or through rental opportunities in the Pella area. Some Central athletics teams go paddleboarding at Roberts Creek each year for team bonding!
Each fall, the Central triathlon team hosts the Coe College triathlon team for a dual, and the race begins in Roberts Creek Lake.
Stopping Point: Cordova Park
Our final stop on the trail is Cordova Park in Otley, Iowa. Cordova is a must-see destination for all Central students! The park is home to the tallest observation tower in a public park in the Midwest. With 170 steps to the top, the climb is tiring — but the views of the lake and surrounding areas are stunning! The best time to visit is at sunset, but the park is a fun destination all day. Cordova is a good stopping point to take a brief break from a long bike ride and the perfect place to end our adventures today.
The 170-step climb to the top of the Cordova observation tower offers aerial views of Red Rock and surrounding areas.
Thanks for joining me on our bike ride today! Red Rock has so much more to offer than the stops I chose to highlight, but I will leave further exploration up to you. Whether you’re interested in biking, hiking, walking, running, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, hammocking, fishing or camping, Red Rock has something for everyone. Find your favorite starting point and start making your lake memories today!
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About the Author
Hello! My name is Grace Benson ’26, and I am from Newton, Iowa. I am an English major with minors in Spanish and religious studies. I am also a member of the women’s triathlon team and participate in FCA. On campus, I have worked as an office assistant to the associate academic dean and currently work as a writing tutor and an editorial assistant for the communications office. My dream is to attend law school after graduating from Central.
In my free time, I love visiting coffee shops, thrifting and working out with my friends. I enjoy long walks at Lake Red Rock and catching as many sunsets as I can. Central is my home away from home, and I hope you find your place here, too! Go Dutch!
