12 Best Parks and Playgrounds Near Des Moines for Families (Local Mom Favorites)
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If you’re looking for the best parks near Des Moines, you’re in the right place.
After years of exploring parks across Central Iowa with my four boys, we’ve visited dozens of playgrounds, splash pads, and nature parks.
Some are fun for an hour, while others are worth driving across town for again and again.
In this guide, I’m sharing our favorite parks in Des Moines and the surrounding communities, from giant climbing playgrounds and themed parks to scenic picnic spots and splash pads.
Whether you’re planning an afternoon outing, meeting friends for a playdate, or simply looking for a new adventure, these are the parks our family recommends most.
Best Parks Near Des Moines at a Glance
| Looking for… | Our Recommendations |
|---|---|
| A giant destination playground | Triumph Park (Waukee) or Centennial Park (Waukee) |
| A park with lots of little adventures | Walker Johnston Park (Urbandale) |
| A unique themed playground | Ironwood Park (Altoona), Mayor Tom Becker Park (Cumming), or Willow Springs Park (West Des Moines) |
| Beautiful scenery and walking trails | Greenwood Park (Des Moines) or Quail Cove Park (West Des Moines) |
| Big slides and lots of climbing | Knolls Park (West Des Moines), Triumph Park (Waukee), or Walker Johnston Park (Urbandale) |
| A splash pad to cool off | Fox Creek Park (Waukee), Greenwood Park (Des Moines), or Jester Park (Granger) |
| A beach day close to home | Raccoon River Park (West Des Moines) |
| A true outdoor nature adventure | Jester Park (Granger) |
| A quiet picnic with beautiful views | Quail Cove Park (West Des Moines) |
| A fun Central Iowa day trip | Winterset City Park (Winterset) |
This list reflects our family’s personal experiences after years of exploring parks around Central Iowa with our four boys. There are plenty of other wonderful parks in the area, and I’m sure we’ll continue discovering new favorites over the years. As we do, I’ll keep this guide updated!
Now, let’s take a closer look at the parks that have become our family’s favorites.
Triumph Park (Waukee)
Why we love it: Every time we visit Triumph Park, we end up staying longer than we planned. There is so much to do that my boys never seem to run out of things to explore. It’s one of the best parks in the metro for families with kids of different ages.
Highlights
- Giant playground for all ages
- Rubber play surface
- Musical play area
- Walking trail and fishing pond
- Inclusive playground equipment
- Restrooms and picnic shelters
Location: 700 NW Douglas Parkway, Waukee
Mayor Tom Becker Park (Cumming)
Why we love it: Mayor Tom Becker Park is one of the most unique playgrounds near Des Moines. The charming farm theme sets it apart from other parks, and kids love exploring the barn, silo, windmill, tractor, and other fun play features. With separate play areas for different ages, it’s a great stop for families with younger and older siblings.
Highlights
- Charming farm-themed playground
- Barn, silo, and windmill play structures
- Tractor, pig, and tunnel for imaginative play
- Separate play areas for younger and older kids
- Restrooms and drinking fountain
- Picnic shelter with tables
Location: 300 N. Brier Lane, Cumming
Greenwood Park (Des Moines)
Why we love it: One of our favorite things about Greenwood Park is that there’s so much to do in one place. We usually start at the playground, cool off at the splash pad in the summer, and then take a walk around the lagoon before heading home. In the fall, we love hiking the trails here and enjoying the fall colors.
Planning a visit? Read my complete guide to Greenwood Park: A Des Moines Family Favorite.
Highlights
- Beautiful rose garden
- Splash pad (seasonal)
- Shaded playground
- Wooded area
- Scenic lagoon and boardwalk
- Walking trails
- Des Moines Art Center next door
Location: 100 45th Street, Des Moines
Raccoon River Park (West Des Moines)
Why we love it: Raccoon River Park is one of the most unique parks in the Des Moines metro. The playground alone is worth the visit, and it’s one of my boys’ favorites thanks to its unique climbing features and adorable toddler area with little playhouses. If you have more time, it’s also easy to turn your visit into a full afternoon adventure with a walk or bike ride around the trail, a beach day, or even kayaking on the lake.
Planning a visit? Check out my guide to 10 Incredible Things to Do at Raccoon River Park for even more activities, tips, and things to do around the park.
Highlights
- Swimming beach (seasonal)
- Paddleboard and kayak rentals
- Playground for toddlers through older kids
- Cute toddler area
- Rubber play surface
- Walking and biking trails
- Fishing lake
- Great sunset views
Location: 2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines
Knolls Park (West Des Moines)
Why we love it: Knolls Park is one of our original favorites. We’ve been bringing our boys here for years, and they still get excited to race to the tall slides and climbing areas. It’s proof that a great playground never goes out of style.
Highlights
- Tall playground with exciting slides
- Great climbing opportunities
- Separate play area for younger kids
- Swings and sand play area
- Bike trail access
- Portable restroom on-site
Location: 5150 Aspen Drive, West Des Moines
Willow Springs Park (West Des Moines)
Why We Love It: We always call Willow Springs Park the “Hot Air Balloon Park,” and it’s been a favorite with my boys in recent years. My youngest loves pretending he’s selling us tickets for a hot air balloon ride, while my older boys head straight for the larger playground and giant slide. It’s one of those parks that keeps kids of different ages entertained.
Highlights
- Hot air balloon-themed playground
- Giant slide and larger play structure
- Rubber play surface
- Walking trail for bikes and scooters
- Large open field
- Covered picnic tables
- Plenty of mature shade trees
- Basketball and tennis courts
- Baby and regular swings
Location: 5685 Wistful Vista Drive, West Des Moines
Quail Cove Park (West Des Moines)
Why we love it: Whenever we want a quieter park, Quail Cove is one of our first choices. The wooded setting, rolling hills, and nature trail make it feel tucked away from the city, even though it’s just minutes from the interstate. It’s a great place to combine playground time with a picnic or a short walk.
Highlights
- Peaceful, wooded setting
- Scenic picnic area with hilltop views
- Two playgrounds for different ages
- Spider web climbing structure
- Nature trail with a bridge
- Large open field
- Restrooms
Location: 1515 S 52nd Street, West Des Moines
Centennial Park (Waukee)
Why we love it: Centennial Park has quickly become one of our go-to parks in Waukee. My youngest loves pretending to shop at the farmers market and play in the little house, while my older boys head straight for the tall climbing towers and obstacle features. It’s a fun park with something for a wide range of ages, and the convenient location makes it easy to pair with a stop at the Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe.
Highlights:
- Tall climbing towers and slides
- Artificial turf play surface
- Toddler area with a farmers market, tree house, barn, and house
- Crickets interactive play area with lights and sounds
- Rope tower spinner
- Disc golf course
- Small creek and covered bridge
- Mature shade trees
- Casey’s nearby for snacks or drinks
- Close to the Waukee Triangle and Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe
Location: 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
Ironwood Park (Altoona)
Why we love it: Ironwood Park is one of the most imaginative playgrounds near Des Moines. My boys love pretending they’re pirates as they explore the pirate ship and “The Island,” and every visit turns into a new adventure. They also can’t resist the giant hill, which is perfect for running, climbing, and rolling down. It’s one of those parks that gets kids moving and using their imaginations.
Highlights
- Pirate ship-themed playground
- Giant hill for climbing and rolling
- Two unique play structures
- Great for imaginative play
- Picnic shelter with shade
- Portable restroom on-site
Location: 2222 3rd Ave SW, Altoona
Walker Johnston Park (Urbandale)
Why we love it: Walker Johnston Park feels like a new adventure every time we visit. Instead of one large playground, there are so many different areas to explore that my boys naturally move from one to the next. One minute they’re racing down the giant hill slide, the next they’re pretending in the little houses, climbing the observation tower, or exploring the trails near the creek. It’s one of those parks where we always end up staying longer than we planned because there’s just so much to do.
Highlights
- Giant hillside slide
- Climbing rope built into the hillside
- Large playground with multiple slides
- Tiny playhouses and crocodile play area
- Observation tower
- Wooden walkway with bridge and slide
- Skatepark
- Walking trails, creek, and pond
- Picnic shelter
Location: 9000 Douglas Avenue, Urbandale
Jester Park (Granger)
Why we love it: Jester Park feels like a true outdoor adventure. Whenever we visit, it feels less like a trip to the playground and more like a day spent exploring nature. Between the nature playscapes, hiking trails, ponds, wildlife, and the new playground, it’s easy to spend hours here. We especially love packing a picnic and making a day of it.
Highlights
- Nature-inspired playscapes
- Brand-new playground
- Splash pad (seasonal)
- Nature Center
- Bison and elk viewing areas
- Ponds with turtles and frogs
- Hiking trails
- Scenic picnic areas
Location: 12130 Northwest 128th Street, Granger
Winterset City Park (Winterset)
Why we love it: Winterset City Park is so much more than a playground. We make the drive at least a couple of times each year because there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Between the playgrounds, Clark Tower, the covered bridge, and the hedge maze, it feels more like a family adventure than just a trip to the park. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves begin to change.
Making a day trip? Read my complete guide to The Best Things to do in Winterset to discover everything this beautiful park has to offer.
Highlights
- Clark Tower scenic overlook
- Historic covered bridge
- Hedge maze
- Two playgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Beautiful fall colors
Location: 300 S 9th Street, Winterset
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best park near Des Moines?
If you’re looking for one park that has something for everyone, I recommend Triumph Park in Waukee. It offers a giant playground, walking trails, a fishing pond, and plenty of room for kids of all ages to play.
Which Des Moines-area parks have splash pads?
Some of our favorites include Greenwood Park, Jester Park, and Fox Creek Park in Waukee during the summer months.
Which park is best for toddlers?
Many parks on this list have dedicated toddler play areas, but Mayor Tom Becker Park, Centennial Park, Raccoon River Park, and Willow Springs Park are especially fun for younger kids because of their imaginative play features.
Which park is worth driving to from Des Moines?
Winterset City Park and Jester Park are both well worth the drive if you’re looking to turn a playground visit into a half-day or full-day adventure.
Ready to Explore the Best Parks near Des Moines?
One of my favorite things about living in Central Iowa is that we’re surrounded by so many incredible parks.
Whether your family is looking for a giant destination playground, a quiet nature walk, or a place to spend an entire afternoon exploring, there’s always somewhere new to discover.
I hope this guide inspires you to visit a new park, revisit an old favorite, or simply spend a little more time outdoors with your family.
Some of our best memories have been made at these parks, and I hope they become places your family loves too.
If you have a favorite Central Iowa park that I should add to this guide, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Continue Exploring Central Iowa
May you LOVE your adventure. KW
