Bobcat Trail
Wind along the hillside of the Middle Raccoon River.
Type: Hike, Bike
Length: 1.3 miles
Shade: Mostly shaded
Parking/Access: Park at River Campground. Access via the Redrock Spur (directly across Fig Ave. from the campground). Northern trailhead at the intersection of Redrock climb and Redrock Spur. Can also park at Oak Ridge Campground and access from Redrock Climb
This 1.3 mile trail climbs up and down the steep hillsides of the Middle Raccoon River through an area of oak savanna restoration. When travelling Bobcat Trail, there is a notable difference in the areas that have been actively managed for savanna restoration and denser forested areas that have not. The most noticeable unmanaged area is when passing through a stand of thick Eastern red cedar trees. Although cedars are native and birds love them, large stands can shade out other natives and make oak savanna and prairie restoration difficult. A unique attraction of Bobcat Trail is the several old, buried cars up on the hill. At one time, the cars were thought to help stop erosion, Whiterock has better methods now of combatting erosions on inclines. Bobcat Trail is named after the bobcat den that was found on the originally planned trail route.
Accessibility
Material: dirt
Width: narrow.
The steep inclines and declines of this trail mark it as medium level. The soft trail material may make the terrain rough in sections.
