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Outdoorsy Family Outings in The Des Moines Area All Year Round
It may be getting colder, but you can still get outdoors and explore with your family! My family and I ice fish, so we go outside year-round. You only need gear and a great attitude! Here are lists of local areas to explore and the equipment you need to enjoy them.
Get ready!
Plan your trip. You can subscribe to the or visit the Iowa DNR website. Nature books describing animals and plants are available at libraries, Earl May, or Barnes & Noble.
We talk about expectations in the car on the way with our daughter and remind her to stay close. We talk about what we might see, do, and feel while outside. We focus on being quiet and mindful so we don’t scare wildlife away. Afterward, we discuss what we learned.
Charge your cell phone before you set out. GPS is needed to get there and to find your way back. I once got lost while hiking without my cell phone. I sang the ballad “I’m Lost in the Woods” from Frozen 2 as loud as possible until my family found me!
Parks
- Terra Park – 6300 Pioneer Pkwy, Johnston – Amazing trails, park, and dock
- Jester Park – 12130 NW 128th St., Granger – Camping, mini golf, horse riding, and Playscape at Jester Park
- Saylorville Reservoir – North edge of Des Moines, South part of Saylorville Lake – Camping, fishing, hiking, viewing the spillway
- Wooden playground at Big Creek – 8550 NW 142nd Ave. – Huge wooden playground right by the beach
Camping
Most have nature trails, birdwatching, picnicking, and even playgrounds!
- Walnut Woods State Park
- Ledges State Park
- Lake Aquabi State Park
- Jester Park
- Acorn Valley Recreation Area
Trails
- High Trestle Trail Bridge – 25 miles of trails spanning multiple communities
- Browns Woods – 465 SE Brown’s Woods Drive in Des Moines –Berry and edible mushroom picking
- Gray’s Lake – 2101 Fleur Dr., Des Moines – Rent a bicycle or walk around the lake
- Raccoon River Park – 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines – Dog Walking
- Stream hiking at Ledges State Park – 1515 P Ave., Madrid – Trip of a lifetime

Gardens
- Great Des Moines Botanical Garden – 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines
- Enabling Garden – 1050 1st Ave S, Altoona – Nature playscape and fairy gardens
- Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden – 1716 Locust St., Des Moines
- Reiman Gardens – 1407 University Blvd., Ames
- Saylorville Visitor and Butterfly Garden – 8250 Horseshoe Rd., Polk City – Small koi fish pond

Wildlife Observing
- Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge – 9981 Pacific St., Prairie City –Native Iowan prairies and wildlife
- Jester Park Nature Center – 12130 NW 128th St., Granger – Nature scavenger hunts, birdwatching, and creating puppet shows!
- Blank Park Zoo – 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines –Wooden playground, exotic and local animals, and train rides (weather permitting)
- Brenton Arboretum – 25141 260th St., Dallas Center – butterflies, changing leaves, or frost on the tree limbs
- Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch – 3145 Howell Ct. , Cumming – Goats, bunnies, tractor, and pony rides, and pick out pumpkins or Christmas trees.
- Center Grove Orchard – 32835 610th Ave., Cambridge – Picking apples or pumpkins, goats, apple cider

Places to Fish
- Complete List of Iowa fishing holes
- DSM Metro List of Fishing Holes – Listed by central, north, south, east, and west!
Gear to make your exploration enjoyable and safe
Exploring Gear
- Layers of comfy clothes and coats
- Good walking socks and shoes
- Sunglasses, hats, gloves, sunblock, bug spray, and lip balm
- Water bottles and snacks
- Sanitizer and First Aid
- Backpack, stroller, or wagon
- Notebook for nature journaling, a sketchbook for doodling, or a Camera or cell phone to take pictures
Fishing Gear
All that is needed to go fishing is a good attitude, gear, and the willingness to wait. Local bait shops or outdoor stores like Scheels or Bass Pro Shop carry excellent fishing gear. Remember that the first week of June is the only free fishing weekend; otherwise, buy your license.
Open Water Fishing Gear- spring, summer, fall:
- License
- Fishing Pole
- Bait and Tackle
Ice Fishing Gear – winter (check with the DNR that the ice is safe by 8 inches and use the buddy system for safety!):
- Ice auger
- Inflatable ice jacket or bibs
- Ice fishing rod and reel
- Ice fishing jigs and bait
Camping Gear
- Tent
- Sleeping Bags
- Change of Clothes
- Toiletries
- Food and Extra Water
- Lighter and campfire wood to start the fire!
So, there you have some great ideas to get out and explore nature in Iowa, no matter the weather!

Chantel Boyd
Chantel Boyd is a resident of Johnston and a native Iowan. She runs a creative marketing agency with her husband. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors with her family, fishing, riding horses, hunting for Morel mushrooms, and exploring wildlife. Chantel is excited to share all her secrets about how to get out in the area and enjoy nature as a family! Chantel Boyd is the Co-Owner of Boyd Creative, a boutique creative marketing studio she runs with her husband, Andrew. https://www.boydcreativeprintshop.com https://www.instagram.com/boydcreativeprintshop/ https://www.facebook.com/BoydCreativePrintShop