Bob Shetler Recreation Area
9 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Des Moines
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Des Moines for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
22places to boat and paddle
9 mito the closest
5within 30 miles
May–Septemberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Saylorville Lake
9 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
The Saylorville Lake Project is 26,000 acres, which stretches for over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
Cherry Glen Campground
10 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cherry Glen Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
Map of all 22 places
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Within 30 miles (5)
Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
Saylorville Lake
The Saylorville Lake Project is 26,000 acres, which stretches for over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Cherry Glen Campground
Cherry Glen Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
Acorn Valley
Acorn Valley Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
Prairie Flower Recreation Area
Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Water sports
30 to 75 miles (11)
Elk Rock Campground and Boat Ramp
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
- Boating
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Water sports
Whitebreast Point Shelter (Ia)
Whitebreast Point Shelter is a day use facility located within Whitebreast Campground. The shelter is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Wildlife viewing
Wallashuck
Wallashuck Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Whitebreast Camp
Whitebreast Camp is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
South Overlook (Ia)
South Overlook is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Hunting
- Wildlife viewing
Howell Station
Howell Station Campground sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the north side of the Des Moines River.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Red Rock
Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake and is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage and 15 minutes from Knoxville, Sprintcar Capital of the World.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
North Overlook Camp
North Overlook Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake)
Bridgeview Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 13 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking are popular activities at this waterfront recreation area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ice Climbing
- Information Site
Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake)
Prairie Ridge Park is located 6 miles, SW of the Jct of Iowa Highway 5 and J18 at Moravia. Awesome Sunsets- No Extra Charge! Rathbun's off-the-beaten path park offers unique opportunities for lover's of the outdoors.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
Rathbun Lake
Over 700 campsites are available at this 11,000-acre lake in the rolling hills of southern Iowa. Excellent camping, fishing, hunting, boating, state fish hatchery, and Honey Creek Resort, are major attractions.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
75 miles and farther (6)
Coralville Lake
Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management, forest management and water quality improvement.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Nature education
- Off-highway vehicles
Iowa Wetland Management District
Iowa Wetland Management District includes 75 waterfowl production areas encompassing more than 25,000 acres scattered throughout 18 counties in north-central Iowa.
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Located in north-central Iowa in the southeast corner of the Prairie Pothole Region, Union Slough is all that remains of a pre-glacial riverbed.
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
- Non-Motorized Boating
- Photography
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge was established in March of 1958 with the approval of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission with the dual intention of providing for the needs of migratory birds and providing public recreation to local…
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
The 24,149 acre Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge was established for the protection of migratory birds and other wildlife. Although the U.S.
- Archery
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Zorinsky Lake
Zorinsky Lake, NE, located in west Omaha, was named after the late U.S. Senator Edward Zorinsky.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Des Moines. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Des Moines?
Bob Shetler Recreation Area (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 9 miles north of Des Moines as the crow flies. Next are Saylorville Lake (9 mi) and Cherry Glen Campground (10 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Des Moines?
Based on Des Moines’s average highs, May–September. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.