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.
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Des Moines
Day-use and picnic areas near Des Moines on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
16picnic areas
9 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
April–Octoberbest months
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Closest picks
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
18 mi east · Fish and Wildlife Service
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 with the mission to actively protect, restore, reconstruct and manage the diverse native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow.
Roberts Creek East Campground
32 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
Map of all 16 places
Map of 16 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (2)
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
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 with the mission to actively protect, restore, reconstruct and manage the diverse native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow.
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
30 to 75 miles (8)
Roberts Creek East Campground
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Fifield (Ia)
Fifield 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
- Birding
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Miner'S Retreat Enclosed Shelter (Ia)
Miner's Retreat Enclosed Shelter 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.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- 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
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
Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again. In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service.
- Hiking
- History
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was established to recover fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River and to restore essential wildlife habitat that became scarce after the river was "improved" for navigation half a…
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
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
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Missouri, near Mound City.
- Biking
- Birding
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
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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More outdoors near Des Moines
- Hiking near Des Moines
- Camping near Des Moines
- Fishing near Des Moines
- Boating and kayaking near Des Moines
- Biking and mountain biking near Des Moines
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Des Moines
- Swimming holes and lakes near Des Moines
- Snow play and winter sports near Des Moines
- Parks in Des Moines
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Des Moines?
Saylorville Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 9 miles north of Des Moines as the crow flies. Next are Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (18 mi) and Roberts Creek East Campground (32 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Des Moines?
Based on Des Moines’s average highs, April–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.