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Walnut Woods State Park, West Des Moines, IA

Photo: Fredddie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Walnut Woods State Park

A quiet river-bottom state park in suburban West Des Moines, known for its black walnut forest and 1930s CCC-era lodge.

3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265 · West Des Moines, IA

About Walnut Woods State Park

Walnut Woods State Park sits near Iowa's capital and protects a bottomland forest along the Raccoon River. Visitors can hike more than two miles of mostly flat natural-surface trails, watch birds from an observation station, fish from the bank or launch a boat at the west end, and camp in a shaded campground with electric sites. The park's 1930s lodge, built during the Civilian Conservation Corps era, can be reserved for gatherings and has indoor and outdoor fireplaces. A pedestrian bridge crosses to Raccoon River Park, and the Purple Martin Water Resource Area nearby offers canoe launching and martin viewing.

  • #state park
  • #hiking
  • #birdwatching
  • #camping
  • #fishing

What's around here?

The closest stops to Walnut Woods State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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    Des Moines Art Center

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    Transit: reachable by public transit

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  • Museums
    Family Favorite

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  • Sightseeing
    Date Night

    Pappajohn Sculpture Park

    No admission fee

    Stroll 4.4 downtown acres of large outdoor sculpture, including Jaume Plensa's 27-foot figure made of letters.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    6.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Rainy-Day Pick

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

    Under $25

    Step inside an 80-foot geodesic dome conservatory, then stroll 12 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens on the Des Moines River next to downtown.

    7.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Lake Ahquabi State Park

    Check prices

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    19 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Ledges State Park

    Check prices

    Iowa state park known for sandstone cliffs above Peas Creek, hiking trails, and 1930s CCC stonework.

    32 mi awayMore like this

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