Walnut Woods State Park

Open — Open year-round with reservations available. All campsites are reservable and a reservation is required.

About

Walnut Woods State Park provides a tranquil camping destination within the Des Moines metropolitan area, preserving Iowa's largest natural stand of black walnut trees in a 250-acre bottomland hardwood forest. The campground features 21 shaded campsites, all equipped with electric hookups, and 8 sites offering full water, sewer, and electric hookups. Additional camping options include RV-only sites and a youth group site. The campground has modern restrooms and a sanitary dump station but does not have showers. The park offers over two miles of hiking trails that meander through wooded bottomland along the Raccoon River, popular for cross-country skiing in winter. The Raccoon River provides fishing and canoeing opportunities with a boat ramp on the west end of the park. Anglers can fish from the riverbank for a variety of species. Birdwatching is popular at the bird blind observation station and the Purple Martin Water Resource Area, especially during summer and fall months when visitors can spot flycatchers, warblers, hawks, owls, and various songbirds. The park's centerpiece is a historic limestone lodge built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, featuring both indoor and outdoor fireplaces. The lodge is available for rental year-round for events. The park is located just three miles from the Great Western Trail, a paved 16.5-mile multi-use trail connecting Des Moines and Martensdale.

Directions

Located off Iowa Highway 5 in West Des Moines at 3155 Walnut Woods Drive.

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