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Daytime

Water Works Park Daytime Walk

Start your morning at Des Moines’ largest urban park, where the Raccoon River flows through 1,500 acres of trails and fields. It is the perfect place to breathe in fresh air before the day gets busy.

Best time: noneAbout 120 min

Timeline

  1. 09:00

    Water Works Park

    Arrive at Water Works Park. The park is open for daytime activities. Start by walking the trails near the Des Moines Water Works facility. The area is quiet in the morning, making it a good time to enjoy the natural setting along the river.

  2. 09:45

    Water Works Park

    Head to the picnic areas or fields within the park. This is a good spot to take a break. Since there are no food or drink shops listed in the immediate vicinity of the park in the provided context, bring your own snack or lunch to enjoy here.

  3. 10:30

    Arie Den Boer Arboretum

    Walk to the Arie Den Boer Arboretum. It is located within the park complex, about a 26-minute walk from the main anchor area. This garden offers a peaceful environment with diverse plant life, providing a quiet end to your park visit.

Local tip

The park is large, so wear comfortable walking shoes. There are grills and picnic tables available if you bring food. Check the park's official website for any specific trail closures or event schedules.

Check before you go

  • Water Works Park is open during daylight hours. Verify current opening times on the official City of Des Moines parks website.
  • No food services are listed within the park in the provided context. Plan to bring your own lunch or snacks.
  • The walk to the Arie Den Boer Arboretum is 26 minutes from the main park area. Allow extra time if you are exploring other parts of the 1,500-acre park first.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Des Moines (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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