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Willow Springs Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 170 Google reviews · Running trail in West Des Moines, Iowa · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Willow Springs 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.

PavedRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Public park offering picnic tables, a playground, a trail, and basketball and tennis courts.

What runners say about Willow Springs Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (170 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“It has bathrooms with running water, sinks, and water fountains and it's very clean and tidy.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Lots of more unique playground equipment for kids of all ages.”

Beautiful, safe, and secluded. I am so grateful it was here--we were traveling through and needed a place for our three littles to run off some pent-up energy, and this playground was at the right place at the right time.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Aug 2025

Nice park with a number of staple amenities: - Dedicated parking - Shelter with picnic tables - Restrooms (not the nicest but passable) - Full basketball court - Single Tennis Court - Walking path (apparently .

★★★★★ — Jason , Jul 2020

A cool little park in a good neighborhood. My intention was to find a running trail, and this park’s got it! It’s a 10’ wide paved trail, that meanders through other nice neighborhoods and among a creek. And it’s got this modern art thingy, so, it’s hip!

★★★★★ — Jimm , Jun 2022

Toddler play area, bigger play area, picnic area, basketball court, tennis court, open field, running path, this park has it all. It has bathrooms with running water, sinks, and water fountains and it's very clean and tidy.

★★★★★ — Daniel , Jun 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 170 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 6 mentions

“It has bathrooms with running water, sinks, and water fountains and it's very clean and tidy.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“It’s a 10’ wide paved trail, that meanders through other nice neighborhoods and among a creek.”

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🚰 Water fountains 2 mentions

“It has bathrooms with running water, sinks, and water fountains and it's very clean and tidy.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Willow Springs Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • Websitewdm.iowa.gov
  • Phone(515) 222-3444

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 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 Willow Springs Park

Willow Springs Park, 5685 Wistful Vista Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266

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.

Jordan Creek Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

under a mile away

Wild Rose Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 130 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

Paved

Kid-friendly park featuring a basketball court and playground.

1.0 miles away

Ashawa Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 136 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

Shaded

Park for all ages, featuring slides, swings, a sandbox and a basketball court.

1.2 miles away

Jaycee Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 147 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Neighborhood park with play structures, a baseball batting cage, and courts for tennis, basketball, and volleyball.

1.4 miles away

Crossroads Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 106 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

City park with tennis courts, a walking trail, a skateboard park, and a playground.

1.4 miles away

Peony Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 157 reviews

West Des Moines, IA

PavedShadedDog-friendly

Kid-friendly green space featuring a basketball court and tennis court, plus a playground.

1.4 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.