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
Snow play and winter sports near Des Moines
Places near Des Moines for sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and winter sports when there’s snow.
7places for snow and winter sports
9 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
Good to know: Carry tire chains in winter, check road and avalanche conditions, and expect parking or Sno-Park permits at popular spots.
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.
Rathbun Lake
65 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
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.
Map of all 7 places
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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 (1)
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 (4)
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
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
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
- Picnic spots near Des Moines
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Des Moines
- Swimming holes and lakes near Des Moines
- Parks in Des Moines
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for snow play 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 Rathbun Lake (65 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.