HomeIowaWest Des Moines › Railroad Park

Railroad Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 86 Google reviews · Running trail in West Des Moines, Iowa · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Railroad 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.

Restrooms

Park featuring a farmers market and occasional bands, plus a space for picnicking.

What runners say about Railroad Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (86 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

No playground or permanent restrooms so just a heads up. It's located by a great shopping district (that does have public restrooms). Great place for community events or just to sit and rest if you're out in the area. Check it out around the Holidays or Thursdays for events and Farmers Markets.

★★★★★ — Aaron , Mar 2021

Was there for a car show, Valley Junction is a great place to walk around and see

★★★★★ — Michael , May 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 86 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.

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“No playground or permanent restrooms so just a heads up.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Railroad 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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitewdm.iowa.gov
  • Phone+1 515-222-3444

Hours

Monday 7 am–10 pm
Tuesday 7 am–10 pm
Wednesday 7 am–10 pm
Thursday 7 am–10 pm
Friday 7 am–10 pm
Saturday 7 am–10 pm
Sunday 7 am–10 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 Railroad Park

401 Railroad Pl, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Get directions

Running trails near West 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.

Denman's Woods Trail

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under a mile away

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Greenwood - Ashworth Park

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MixedScenic

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

1.6 miles away

Great Western Trail Head

4.7 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

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1.9 miles away

Pearson Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 194 reviews

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Loop

Family-friendly park with a walking loop, plus playground equipment and a basketball court.

1.9 miles away

Brown's Woods

4.7 ★★★★★ 551 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

3 miLoopShadedScenic

Wildlife preserve filled with oak & hickory trees as well as trails for hiking & geocaching.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in West Des Moines, IA →

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.