Best Parks for Outdoor Fun

Explore the best best parks for outdoor fun options for kids and families in Des Moines

Rotary Riverwalk Park

Rotary Riverwalk Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

EMC Overlook

EMC Overlook

Visit this great place for kids and families!

MacRae Park

MacRae Park

Hilltop park with city views & a pond. Green space on a bluff with dramatic downtown views, tennis courts, a pond & a playground.

Gray's Lake Park

Gray's Lake Park

Park with a lakeside walking loop. 167-acre park featuring a 1.9-mi. lighted walking path around a lake with small boat rentals.

Union Park

Union Park

Storied park with BBQs & nostalgic rides. Public park since 1892, with an old-fashioned carousel, water play area, BBQ grills & sports courts.

Riverview Park

Riverview Park

Charming park with trails & lakes. Sprawling city park known for its green expanses, biking & walking paths & numerous bodies of water.

Des Moines Water Works Park

Des Moines Water Works Park

Daytime activities in open woodlands. Daytime spot with jogging & cycling trails, fishing, a picnic area with grills & sports fields.

Greenwood - Ashworth Park

Greenwood - Ashworth Park

Outdoor green space with a rose garden. Public recreation area with playgrounds, a splash pad & picnic shelters, plus a pond & rose garden.

Ewing Park

Ewing Park

Expansive green space with disc golf. Spacious park with playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course, a pond & a lilac arboretum.

Fort Des Moines Park

Fort Des Moines Park

Outdoor activity area with a lake. Community recreation space with large picnic shelters, a playground & trails, plus a fishing lake.

Pearson Park

Pearson Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Raccoon River Park

Raccoon River Park

Spacious park, beach & sports complex. Large sports & recreation venue with athletic fields, a swimming beach, fishing pier & nature trail.

Lakeview Park

Lakeview Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Scenic Valley Park

Scenic Valley Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Walker Johnston Park

Walker Johnston Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Walnut Woods State Park

Walnut Woods State Park

260-acre nature reserve with camping. 260-acre nature reserve with trails, camping, river boating & fishing & a 1930s lodge for rentals.

Peony Park

Peony Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Ankeny Miracle Park

Ankeny Miracle Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Woodland Hills Park

Woodland Hills Park

Visit this great place for kids and families!

Explore More Activities

Discover more events and activities happening in Des Moines.