Polk County Conservation manages more than 16,000 acres of parks, trails, prairies, forests and wetlands. Nature discoveries in Polk range from distinctive stands of trees and large beaches to diverse habitats and long routes. Culture and history have their own destinations, too—from art in the park to an interactive living history museum.
Nature Areas and Trails with Their Own Character
Walnut Woods State Park is home to the largest stand of black walnut trees in Iowa. Big Creek State Park offers a different highlight: it has the largest beach in Iowa’s state park system. For hiking and cycling, the park offers the paved, 27-mile Neil Smith Trail. It runs between the beach, the Saylorville Lake area and Des Moines.
Grasslands, wooded areas and oak savanna are among the habitats in the Chichaqua-Neal Smith Bird Conservation Area. Chichaqua Bottoms is one of the two main public areas in this conservation area. Another route there is the Chichaqua Valley Trail: the 26-mile route follows a converted rail line between Valeria and Bondurant.
The trails are similar in length but offer different experiences: the Neil Smith Trail is paved and suited to hiking and cycling, while the converted rail line and the endpoints of Valeria and Bondurant shape the Chichaqua Valley Trail. When planning, you can therefore consider not only the length but also the kind of route that interests you.
Saylorville Lake and Surroundings
In the Polk region, Saylorville Lake offers opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, cycling and wildlife viewing. The lake is near Des Moines. On the west shore, Jester Park covers 1,675 acres. To reach the park, take exit 127 from I-80 and I-35, then head 6.5 miles west on Highway 141.
Art, History and Experiences
In Western Gateway Park, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park spans 4.4 acres. It opened in 2009 and features artworks by more than two dozen artists. The State Historical Museum of Iowa and its research center offer another way to explore the state’s history; admission is free. As admission policies can change, it’s a good idea to check the current terms before your visit.
Living History Farms is an interactive open-air museum focused on the rural history of the Midwest. Reach it via Interstate 35/80, exit 125 at Hickman. At Salisbury House, tours offer insight into the life of the Weeks family, who built the house.
At Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, tours include the conservatory and outdoor grounds, weather permitting. Tour schedules may change, so check in advance which dates are planned for your visit. Outside the annual Iowa State Fair, the Iowa State Fairgrounds also hosts a wide variety of events, including car shows, livestock shows, flea markets, antique shows, concerts and trade shows. The event calendar changes, so it’s helpful to check the dates for your travel period.
Blank Park Zoo is the only AZA-accredited zoo in Iowa. The grounds cover 49 acres, and the habitats include tigers, seals, lions and giraffes. There are also opportunities to feed animals.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Des Moines, Johnston, Clive, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Grimes, Cass County.
Return to the main travel overview: Iowa.
