Iron Horse Trail
ABILENE - The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad is proud to announce the official opening of the Iron Horse Trail, a 5-mile, crushed limestone trail connecting the historic communities of Abilene and Enterprise.
Phase 1, the Mary Jane Oard Section, of the trail opened in July 2023. Now, the opening ceremony for the full trail, phases 1-3, will take place on Saturday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at the trailhead in Enterprise, near the Hoffman Grist Mill. The public is invited to join in celebrating this major milestone in local outdoor recreation.
"A Trail with a Vision" The Iron Horse Trail runs adjacent to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad’s historic rail line, making it the only known rails-with-trails project in the Midwest. This scenic, 8-foot-wide path utilizes five miles of former Rock Island Railroad property owned in fee simple by the ASVRR, offering a unique recreation experience in the heart of Kansas.
The Trail features, 5 miles of crushed limestone surface, connections from Abilene to Enterprise, scenic routes alongside a working tourist railroad, complete with historic bridges and stunning Kansas landscapes
The Iron Horse Trail is the result of five years of planning, collaboration, and hard work by local leaders, volunteers, and community partners, including the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Quality of Life Coalition, and many others.
“This project has been a labor of love for our community, and it’s exciting to see this vision come to life,” said Elizabeth Weese, director of the Community Foundation of Dickinson County. “This trail not only provides a safe place for outdoor recreation but also enhances our region’s appeal as a tourism destination, connecting our history to the great outdoors.”
The project received crucial financial support through grants from the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Sunflower Foundation, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Recreational Trails Program, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant program. Volunteers have also dedicated hundreds of hours to bring this trail to fruition, making it a true community achievement.
The dedication ceremony will include complimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, trail mix, and water for guests. The public is invited to walk or ride the trail and experience this exciting addition to Kansas’ outdoor recreation landscape.
The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, founded in 1993, the ASVRR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the railroad. It operates a historic excursion train and now owns the Iron Horse Trail as part of its ongoing mission to connect communities, preserve history, and promote outdoor recreation.
For more information about the Iron Horse Trail or to support its ongoing development, visit Facebook.com/IronHorseTrail or to make a donation, visit https://www.communityfoundation.us/ and select the Iron Horse Trail Fund.