THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
5 things to see and do in Des Moines, Iowa from bus life travels
A local activity Short shared by The Hive Drive.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Outdoors
Outdoors near Des Moines
40 national forests, lakes, parks and campgrounds within reach, by activity.
Hiking
32 places · closest 8 mi
Bob Shetler Picnic Area, Cottonwood Recreation Area and more
Best: March–June, September–November
Camping
29 places · closest 8 mi
Bob Shetler Picnic Area, Cottonwood Recreation Area and more
Best: April–June, August–October
Fishing
29 places · closest 8 mi
Bob Shetler Picnic Area, Cottonwood Recreation Area and more
Boating & paddling
22 places · closest 9 mi
Bob Shetler Recreation Area, Saylorville Lake and more
Best: May–September
Biking
28 places · closest 8 mi
Bob Shetler Picnic Area, Cottonwood Recreation Area and more
Best: March–June, August–November
Picnic spots
16 places · closest 9 mi
Saylorville Lake, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and more
Best: April–October
Wildlife & birding
33 places · closest 8 mi
Bob Shetler Picnic Area, Cottonwood Recreation Area and more
Swimming
11 places · closest 9 mi
Bob Shetler Recreation Area, Cherry Glen Campground and more
Best: June–September
Snow play
7 places · closest 9 mi
Saylorville Lake, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and more
Natural places near Des Moines
Everything on the map
Map of 40 places loads as you scroll.
Get outside around Des Moines
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
3 things to do in Des Moines (Iowa)
A local activity Short shared by Travel Tour.
Watch on YouTube ↗Around Des Moines
Closer to home
Places come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; distances are straight-line miles from downtown.