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City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 352 Google reviews · Running trail in Des Moines, Washington · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicRestroomsTrailhead parking

Scenic waterfront location featuring a marina, trails, a beach and a pier, plus picnic tables for a relaxed visit.

What runners say about City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (352 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions
🏞️ beautiful scenery 13 mentions

“So beautiful 😍 Will always bee one of my favorite spots outside of Seattle.”

I'm a local so I have a biased opinion. I just love going here. It feels like worlds away when I'm just looking out at the water. Typically it's not too crowded. And I can just pull up a folding chair and enjoy the scenery.

★★★★★ — Armand , Feb 2022

Love this place. Waterfront, trails to walk, and a river walk. So beautiful 😍 Will always bee one of my favorite spots outside of Seattle.

★★★★★ — Jen , Nov 2023

Great park to picnic and watch live band. There are birds, picturesque views and lots of walking areas.

★★★★★ — Reyvigravy , Jul 2024

Best beach around! A cute little trail, and if you want to find shells there are literally thousands upon thousands of them at this beach! Everywhere you step, not kidding! The sea life/Tide pool life was so cool too! The view is amazing and it was just plain fun!

★★★★★ — Jessica , May 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 352 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 20 mentions

“The parking lot is paid parking just something to think about but I'm willing to pay a few bucks to enjoy this view and scenery.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“The parking lot is paid parking just something to think about but I'm willing to pay a few bucks to enjoy this view and scenery.”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“There are also restrooms and a picnic area and event center nearby.”

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Plan your run at City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitewdfw.wa.gov
  • Phone(360) 902-2200
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–9 PM
Thursday 7 AM–9 PM
Friday 7 AM–9 PM
Saturday 7 AM–9 PM
Sunday 7 AM–9 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find City of Des Moines Park Conservation Area

22047 Cliff Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198

Get directions

Running trails near Des Moines

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Des Moines Creek Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 70 reviews

Des Moines, WA

2 miPavedScenic

Tranquil 2-mile-plus-long trail following a stream and passing through the woods on its way to the beach.

under a mile away

Valley Loop Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Normandy Park, WA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Marine View Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 684 reviews

Normandy Park, WA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

This 27-acre woodlands nature area has shaded hiking trails & a steep path to a sandy shoreline.

under a mile away

Des Moines Creek Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 379 reviews

SeaTac, WA

2 miPavedScenicDog-friendly

Paved hiking trail leading from a park to the beach with some minor elevation.

under a mile away

Barnes Creek Nature Trail

4 ★★★★☆ 31 reviews

Des Moines, WA

Natural surface

under a mile away

Saltwater State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,515 reviews

Des Moines, WA

Natural surfaceLitScenicDog-friendly

This park on the shores of Puget Sound has campsites, volleyball courts & an artificial reef.

1.9 miles away

All running trails in Des Moines, WA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.