Des Moines boasts over 100 miles of trails and was recently named the number one walking city in Iowa by Prevention magazine. Our extensive trail system is perfect for walking, running and biking.
NEW TRAIL MAPS FOR 2010!
A new Greater Des Moines Recreational Trails Map and Downtown Recreation Trails Map are now available. Both maps highlight the area walking, biking and running trails throughout Greater Des Moines and Downtown. The Downtown map also features public art pieces and suggested walking routes. The maps are available to download below. Click here to read a press release about the new trails maps.
The maps are courtesy of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau (GDMCVB), Iowa Health – Des Moines, the Friends of Des Moines Parks and the City of Des Moines Park and Recreation Department.
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Greater Des Moines Recreational Trails Map
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Downtown Recreational Trails Map
PRINCIPAL RIVERWALK
Check out the Principal Riverwalk, a new development in Downtown Des Moines that features a 1.2 mile recreational trail connecting the east and west sides of downtown and a new pedestrian bridge.
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Parks, Lakes, Trails
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Altoona Parks & Recreation
Over 200 acres of parks and 18 miles of bike trails. Activities include: Aquatics Park, Skate Park, Rose Garden, Enabling Garden, Native Prairies, Disc Golf, Shelters, Adult and Youth sports and playgrounds. Come visit us.
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Ankeny Parks & Recreation
The city of Ankeny has the Prairie Ridge Youth Sports Complex, which includes a 9,000 square foot concrete skate park, aquatic center, Lakeside Center (3,500 sqare foot facility available for conferences and receptions), walking/biking trails and knowledgeable staff to assist our visitors.
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City of Windsor Heights
The city of Windsor Heights has a number of outdoor recreational opportunities including Colby Park, with its athletic fields, playground, performance pavilion and community center for indoor activities. Colby Park connects to the Colby Trail and the Clive Greenbelt. The new community center will open in July 2010 and has a capacity of 150 people in round tables. For information about any of these facilities, please contact City Hall.
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Clive Parks & Recreation Department
The city of Clive has 15 parks, including our 300-acre greenbelt with nine miles of recreational trails. The aquatic center is open approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day and features pools, slides and a lazy river.
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Des Moines Parks & Recreation
Des Moines Parks and Recreation offers three aquatic centers and two swimming pools with three located minutes from downtown. These facilities offer a variety of recreational opportunities including lap swimming, diving boards and water slides.
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Des Moines Water Works Park and Arboretum
Water Works Park covers 1,500 acres of wooded area popular for fishing, picnicking, jogging or just relaxing. The Arie den Boer Arboretum boasts nearly 300 varieties of crab apple trees. Home to the Jolly Holiday Lights.
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Gray's Lake Park
The park will features a boat rental facility, a fishing pier, floating boardwalks and a park resource center. The centerpiece of the park is a lighted trail encircling the entire park.
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Great Western Trail
This 18-mile journey from Des Moines to Martensdale is full of adventure for the nature enthusiast, the history buff and for those that want to put on their hiking boots or hop on a bicycle.
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Jester Park
Diverse recreational experiences await visitors on 1,834 acres of land, located along the west shore of Saylorville Lake. Camping, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking, hunting, picnicking, an accessible playground, and home of the Jester Park Lodge.
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Johnston City Parks
Johnston offers many parks and miles of trails for you to enjoy. Many parks offer shelters and other amenities for your family potluck or other event. Check out our website to see what each park has to offer.
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Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Experience the breathtaking beauty of over 5,000 acres of tallgrass prairie and native Midwest wildlife. We are located near Prairie City, Iowa, on Highway 163 in Jasper County. The Refuge reconstructs the native plant and animal communities that greeted Iowa's earliest settlers in the mid 1800's.
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Polk County Conservation
Polk County Conservation manages 12,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, woodlands, trails, and parks in Polk County. Their mission is to provide the citizens of Polk County with quality outdoor recreation, conservation education, and the long-term protection of Polk County's natural heritage.
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Thomas Mitchell Park
Cozy and quiet, this smaller park (175 acres) provides the perfect atmosphere for picnics, camping, fishing and hiking. Thomas Mitchell, a mid-1800s community leader, founded the town of Mitchellville and inspired the naming of this park.
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Urbandale Parks & Recreation
Urbandale Parks and Recreation Department is a division of the City of Urbandale. The primary emphasis for the department is to offer a wide variety programs, activities and facilities to the citizens.
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West Des Moines Parks & Recreation
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation serves the leisure needs of the community through a variety of recreational programs and facilities. Highlights include: Raccoon River Park, Valley View Aquatic Center, Holiday Park Aquatic Center, many neighborhood parks and picnic shelters and over 30 miles of walking and biking trails.
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