Woodpecker Nature Trail is 15 minutes north of downtown Iowa City, Iowa. From I-80: take exit 244 for Dubuque St north toward Coralville Lake, turn right onto W Overlook Road, and look for the trailhead on the left. Parking is free and includes a restroom but no water fountain. Outdoor recreation on the trails includes hiking, trail running, and dog walking but bikes and horses are not allowed. Cell phone service was at a medium strength while on the trails. The following Google Map shows a loop we hiked on trails W-5, W-1, and W-3.

Woodpecker Nature trail is a 1.0 mile loop with a change in elevation less than 100 feet.

We hiked a clockwise loop that started with steps that lead us down to Coralville Lake. At the base of the steps, we stayed to the right (i.e., headed east) on the Woodpecker Nature Trail. You can make a left turn (i.e., head west) to connect with the Squire Point trail system. We stayed on the one mile nature trail loop because we wanted the hike to be fun and easy for our 4.5 year old. On the other hand, trail runners and dog walkers can design a longer route through both the WoodPecker Nature Trail and Squire Point networks.

The western corner of the loop is a rocky overlook that has a park bench and offers a panoramic view of the lake.

Near the western corner was an interesting three dimensional structure with a table and seats made from wood. It is a fun place to have a snack, especially for kids.

The trails are ideal for a quick, light hike with kids and dogs because they are wide, mostly smooth, and gradually sloping.

In sum, the Woodpecker Nature Trail was a fun place to visit for a quick family hike because it is close to downtown Iowa City and easy for kids to complete.