MASON CITY — The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has officially named Mason City a 2026 IMBA Trail Town, a prestigious national designation that recognizes the community’s rapid ascent as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Mason City joins an elite group of only 28 communities nationwide honored for their exceptional commitment to building, maintaining, and celebrating high-quality trail systems.
The designation is awarded based on several rigorous criteria, including trail infrastructure, dedicated funding, active local stewardship, and a culture of community engagement. According to IMBA, these factors are essential for supporting healthy lifestyles and driving local economies through outdoor recreation. The announcement comes at a time when the American outdoor recreation economy is booming, reaching a record $1.3 trillion in economic activity in 2024.
A Vision for High Quality of Life
Local leaders view the award as a validation of years of strategic investment. City Administrator Aaron Burnett described the designation as a “huge honor” that recognizes the combined efforts of volunteers and community champions.
“We are so glad that IMBA has helped us spread the word of this great asset we have built in North Iowa,” Burnett said.
Mayor John Lee emphasized that the trails are more than just a hobby for residents—they are a cornerstone of the city’s economic development. “The bike park and numerous trails we have constructed make our community an ideal place for people to call home,” Lee noted, adding that mountain biking has become a key pillar in the city’s strategy to attract a modern workforce and differentiate Mason City from other Midwest hubs.
The Jewel of North Iowa: Prairie Rock Trails
At the heart of the recognition is the Prairie Rock Trails (PRT) and the newly minted PRT Bike Park. Designed and constructed by the renowned Rock Solid Trail Contracting, LLC, the system spans more than five miles of thoughtfully crafted singletrack.
The trails were built to be “progressive,” meaning they offer something for everyone—from flowing paths for first-time riders to technical elements, pump tracks, and jump lines for seasoned thrill-seekers. By highlighting the natural beauty of the North Iowa landscape, the PRT system has successfully turned Mason City into a regional magnet for cyclists.
National Recognition
IMBA Executive Director David Wiens congratulated the city, noting that Trail Towns like Mason City are leading the way in showing how outdoor assets support thriving, resilient communities. “The IMBA Trail Town designation is more than a badge of honor,” Wiens said. “It’s national recognition that a community values trails and the people who ride them.”
For local trail advocates, the work is far from over. Leaders expect this national spotlight to strengthen future partnerships and provide a foundation for continued trail expansion and stewardship for years to come.
I think the bike park is a wonderful use of what was a dead zone, the former Decker plant property/city landfill for demolition waste. But I’ve watched the kids going airborne at high speed from one ramp to another. The town has plenty of lawyers, and perhaps some are not above ambulance chasing. Come the first broken arm/hip/skull from the inevitable fall from 10 feet up, will the small sign hold up in court, the one that warns that riders assume all liability? I hope the city researched the liability experience of other bike park towns.