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Sycamore Wildlife Area

4.1 ★★★★☆ 18 Google reviews · Running trail in 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 Sycamore Wildlife 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.

Sycamore Wildlife Area — running trail in Des Moines, IA, photo 1
Trailhead parking

What runners say about Sycamore Wildlife Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (18 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Decent trail just over the bridge are several smaller foot trails all in all decently little spot just a lot of bugs bring bug spray for certain areas

★★★★☆ — Stephen , Jul 2025

Ride the trails here often. Others are typically courteous and follow normal trail etiquette.

★★★★★ — David , Sep 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 18 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.

🅿️ Trailhead parking

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Sycamore Wildlife 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 — reported by runners
  • Websitenews.iowadot.gov
  • Social Instagram

Hours

Monday 7:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 7:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 7:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM–9 PM
Friday 7:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM–9 PM
Sunday 7:30 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 Sycamore Wildlife Area

Lower Beaver Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310

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.

Trail head

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Playground-equipped, 6-acre lake featuring trails for walking, biking and running, plus fishing.

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Terra Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 255 reviews

Johnston, IA

45 miPavedScenic

Lakefront park with a playground, picnic shelters, and paved trail, plus fishing and kayaking.

2.0 miles away

Johnston Town Center Bike Trail Head

Johnston, IA

2.1 miles away

North Access to Sycamore Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews

Johnston, IA

Natural surface

2.1 miles away

Sycamore Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ 151 reviews

Johnston, IA

6.5 miLoopMixedScenic

Forested place with dirt trails for cycling and a paved path, as well as scenic spots.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in 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.