Outdoors
Lakes near Des Moines
14 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
14
Closest
1.3 mi
Gray's Lake
Within 10 miles
8
Reservoirs
6
Map
Map of 14 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 1.3miGray's Lake
- 4.5miEaster Lake
- 5.1miCopper Creek Lake
- 5.9miBlue Heron Lake
- 6.8miFisher Lake
- 6.8miLake Colechesterreservoir
- 9.5miClive Lake
- 9.9miDale Maffitt Reservoirreservoir
- 10.4miSaylorville Lakereservoir
- 14.9miWoodland Lakereservoir
- 17miBig Creek Lake
- 17.3miLake Red Rockreservoir
- 20.7miLake Ahquabi
- 24.6miCedar Lakereservoir
Straight-line distance from the center of Des Moines; driving and trail distances are longer.
Before you go
Many reservoirs are drinking-water supplies with no swimming or body contact. Look for a designated swim beach.
Green, scummy or paint-like water can be a toxic blue-green algae bloom. Keep kids and dogs out and check the county advisory.
Boat launches often need a day pass or inspection for invasive mussels, and anglers 16 and older usually need a state fishing license.
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Questions
What is the closest lake to Des Moines?
Gray's Lake, about 1.3 miles from the center of Des Moines.
How many lakes are near Des Moines?
14 named lakes are within 30 miles, 8 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near Des Moines natural?
6 of the 14 are reservoirs made by dams; the rest are mapped as natural lakes. Swimming rules differ, so check each one.
Sources: Wikidata and OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked 2026-11-08; photos from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. Access, fees and conditions change; check before visiting.