Summer is a great time to get outside and explore the many hiking trails and parks around Central Iowa. Getting kids outside and exploring is a wonderful way to be learning without kids knowing it. Our family enjoys finding the new and hidden trails as my husband works for the DNR so we have the inside information on where to go.
4 Parks to Explore Around Des Moines
Jester Park – 11121 NW Jester Park Dr, Granger, IA 50109
Jester Park is in Granger, just north of Grimes, and includes many playground areas throughout the park for all ages. There is a viewing area for the bison and elk near the natural playscape. This is an excellent place for kids to burn off energy while seeing beautiful wildlife. There are plenty of places to take a trail hike and see different species of birds and ponds to fish in. The Nature Center has both indoor and outdoor activities for kids. Especially older kids looking for a bouldering challenge or canoe or paddle boat rentals.
*Nature Center 12130 NW 128th St, Granger, IA 50109
Ledges State Park – 1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA 50156
Ledges is known in the summertime for the water play area that brings hours of entertainment for kiddos. Depending on the water level, Peas Creek along Canyon Road may be covering the roadway so driving cautiously is important. Lost Lake Interpretive Trail has some wooden steps that make climbing easier for shorter legs. Other trails are dirt and rocks and can be more challenging as a family hike. One trail we enjoyed for the whole family was the Prairie Trail because it was an easy hike and less than a mile hike.
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Browns Woods – 465 Brown’s Woods Dr, WDM, IA 50265
Browns Woods is the largest urban forest in Iowa. It is a great place for geocaching. Having an app downloaded before you get there is smart as the internet reception can be spotty at times. The hiking throughout is filled with seeing lots of butterflies and wildlife. Gateway Trail is our favorite because it isn’t too long for shorter legs but gives a good distance for everyone who is walking in your group.
McFarland Park – 56461 180th St., Ames, IA 50010
McFarland Park is close to our house, so we’ve been here many times. It is a good mix of woods, prairie grass, and streams to explore. There are paved paths for handicap accessibility and stroller use. The trails can be used to take a shorter walk or walking through multiple terrains can be great exercise for your family. The McFarland Nature Building has some neat skeletons of animals to look at. Also, it shows many different habitats for wildlife.
Iowa State Parks Worth the Drive
Two state parks that are worth the drive because of the immense wildlife and miles of trails are Dolliver State Park in Lehigh and Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon. Both have playgrounds that are perfect for a picnic while the kids play on the equipment. Make sure to bring an all-terrain stroller if you have younger kids because both parks have bumpy terrain to traverse.
Dolliver State Park has many wooded trails that give coverage from the sun. This provides great spaces for kids to use their imagination and creativity with the downed logs and branches. There are plenty of trails to follow and wildlife to observe.
Palisades-Kepler State Park has five miles of trails to follow while observing different species of plants and trees. This would be an excellent park to use as a tandem for homeschool learning.
// RELATED CONTENT: Central Iowa Hikes //
There are so many other preserves and parks to explore this summer! Finding the perfect shady trail to hike can be tricky but hopefully these ideas will help you to find a new adventure for your family this summer!
