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Fort Des Moines Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 582 Google reviews · Running trail in Des Moines, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Fort Des Moines Park'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.
Community recreation space with large picnic shelters, a playground & trails, plus a fishing lake.
What runners say about Fort Des Moines Park
“The park is well kept and has a variety of native plants, as well as signs that provide information about the wildlife.”
“Park was beautiful, good hiking area, very relaxing, amazing views, definitely a nice place to get away from the city and nice to bring you family along.”
“Usually always a nice place to go for a calm and chill walk with the Family or the Fur-babies.”
Nice in town park. Well-groomed trails. The one around the lake is maybe a mile and all the trails combined is probably only a couple miles. They have good trail signs and educational signs talking about the different ecosystems in the park.
We love this park! The walking trail around the park is the perfect distance for walking our aging pup, and there are plenty of smells for him to discover. The park is well kept and has a variety of native plants, as well as signs that provide information about the wildlife. We always see people fishing there.
Park was beautiful, good hiking area, very relaxing, amazing views, definitely a nice place to get away from the city and nice to bring you family along. 10/10 recommended.
Really nice place for nature walks or if you want to dress up as shrek and take pictures this is also a great place to do that to.
Trail conditions & character
“Park was beautiful, good hiking area, very relaxing, amazing views, definitely a nice place to get away from the city and nice to bring you family along.”
Plan your run at Fort Des Moines Park
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 — reported by runners
- Websitepolkcountyiowa.gov
- Phone(515) 285-7612
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–10:30 PM |
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.
Ewing Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 863 reviews
Spacious park with playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course, a pond & a lilac arboretum.
Easter Lake Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 568 reviews
Shady lakeside park featuring a beach, playgrounds, hiking and walking trails.
Carl Voss Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 14 reviews