One of our favorite runs in Des Moines is to combine a loop around Gray’s Lake with the numerous trails at Water Works Park. There are numerous ways to do this. Below are some good options.
Gray’s Lake Boardwalk. CC 2.0
Gray’s Lake Loop. Terrific 1.9 mile loop around the lake on the paved Kruidenie Trail with water views the whole way! One special feature is a boardwalk/bridge over the water, beautifully lit at night. To access from downtown, it’s ~2 miles on the paved Meredith Trail.
Water Works Park. Adjacent to Gray’s Lake, the 1500-acre Des Moines Water Works Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The park boasts outdoor recreational activities galore. It has a 200-acre lake, acres of protected woodlands, and large open areas for sports and other activities. There are several miles of trails. A couple of options:
Gray’s Lake to Water Works Park using Meredith Trail. South of Gray’s Lake, continue on the unpaved Meredith Trail along the south end of Water Works Park for ~2 miles. A small bridge over the Raccoon River leads to the trail continuing as the Bill Riley Trail for another 1.25 miles. We stop there, but there are options to continue on the Walnut Creek Trail or a trail leading to Ashworth Park. ROUTE MAP
Waterworks Park using Arborerum-Grays Lake Rd. From the northern end of Grays Lake, enjoy paths through the pretty Arboretum, and then take Grays Lake Rd. (sort of a road and path) along the Raccoon River. Then do two loops along the main park roads, which add up to ~3.3 miles. The total out and back is 7.4 miles, and 9.3 miles including Gray’s Lake Loop. ROUTE MAP
Add-On Options: Gray’s Lake to downtown using the Meredith Trail is ~2 miles. North of Water Works Park, continue on Bill Riley Trail to Ashworth Park or along the Walnut Creek Trail. South of Water Works Park is the Great Western Trail that heads south to the airport & beyond.
One of our favorite runs in Des Moines is to combine a loop around Gray’s Lake with the numerous trails at Water Works Park. There are numerous ways to do this. Below are some good options.
Gray’s Lake Boardwalk. CC 2.0
Gray’s Lake Loop. Terrific 1.9 mile loop around the lake on the paved Kruidenie Trail with water views the whole way! One special feature is a boardwalk/bridge over the water, beautifully lit at night. To access from downtown, it’s ~2 miles on the paved Meredith Trail.
Water Works Park. Adjacent to Gray’s Lake, the 1500-acre Des Moines Water Works Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The park boasts outdoor recreational activities galore. It has a 200-acre lake, acres of protected woodlands, and large open areas for sports and other activities. There are several miles of trails. A couple of options:
Gray’s Lake to Water Works Park using Meredith Trail. South of Gray’s Lake, continue on the unpaved Meredith Trail along the south end of Water Works Park for ~2 miles. A small bridge over the Raccoon River leads to the trail continuing as the Bill Riley Trail for another 1.25 miles. We stop there, but there are options to continue on the Walnut Creek Trail or a trail leading to Ashworth Park. ROUTE MAP
Waterworks Park using Arborerum-Grays Lake Rd. From the northern end of Grays Lake, enjoy paths through the pretty Arboretum, and then take Grays Lake Rd. (sort of a road and path) along the Raccoon River. Then do two loops along the main park roads, which add up to ~3.3 miles. The total out and back is 7.4 miles, and 9.3 miles including Gray’s Lake Loop. ROUTE MAP
Add-On Options: Gray’s Lake to downtown using the Meredith Trail is ~2 miles. North of Water Works Park, continue on Bill Riley Trail to Ashworth Park or along the Walnut Creek Trail. South of Water Works Park is the Great Western Trail that heads south to the airport & beyond.
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Essentials
Gray's Lake Loop is 1.9 miles. Numerous options to combine w/Water Works Park
A ‘runseeing’ tour of central Des Moines, showcasing the Riverwalk, several parks, the Capitol, and the Sherman Hill Historic District. The full route is 10+ miles, but there are numerous shorter options.
A scenic run along the Des Moines River, with numerous distance and add-on options. The longer path is on the east side, headed north, passing Birdland Park, River Drive Park, & more.
A pleasant 5k around Raccoon Lake on a crushed rock/asphalt trail. The park has athletic fields and a swimming beach. For a longer run, the Jordan Creek Trail connects to Water Works Park & Fairmeadows Park.
The series of trails along Walnut Creek make for another pleasant, easy run on paved multi-use paths in northwestern Des Moines. One can run for up to 9 miles to Clive Lake.
Several adjacent residential neighborhoods in West Des Moines are terrific for running: Sherman Hill, North of Grand, Ingersoll Park, Waterbury, Westwood, and Salisbury Oaks.
A pleasant 4-mile loop around Easter Lake in southeastern Des Moines, nearly entirely on paved off-road paths and multi-use trails. Combination of woods, park, and some lake views.
Paved multi-use path that runs southward from Des Moines for 17 miles through Willow Creek Golf Course, Orilla, and Cumming. Combination woods & farmland, a bit monotonous, but a good opp to rack up the miles.
A nice running option in northern Des Moines, following the Neil Smith Trail for up to 13.7 miles, through woodlands, prairie, and wetlands, with views of Saylorville Lake. Can also head south toward Des Moines
Wonderful, paved rail-trail that runs for 31 miles between Woodward and Oralabor. Farmland & wooded landscape. Highlight is the High Trestle Bridge: 1/2 mile, 13-story high, w/ 'From Here to There' blue LED night light installation.
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Essentials
Gray's Lake Loop is 1.9 miles. Numerous options to combine w/Water Works Park
Waterworks Park using Arborerum-Grays Lake Rd. From the northern end of Grays Lake, enjoy paths through the pretty Arboretum, and then take Grays Lake Rd. (sort of a road and path) along the Raccoon River. Then do two loops along the main park roads, which add up to ~3.3 miles. The total out and back is 7.4 miles, and 9.3 miles including Gray’s Lake Loop. ROUTE MAP
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