Walnut Woods State Park
4.6(800)google
4.8(10)yelp
OutdoorForestHiking
Overview
Walnut Woods State Park is a state park in Polk County, Iowa, United States, located in suburban West Des Moines. Within the Des Moines metropolitan area, the park preserves a bottomland hardwood forest featuring the largest natural stand of black walnut trees in North America. The Raccoon River meanders through the 250-acre (100 ha) park, providing fishing and canoeing opportunities.
Practical Info
Mon4:00 AM 10:30 PM
Tue4:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Wed4:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Thu4:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Fri4:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sat4:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sun4:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeEarly to mid-October during peak autumn colors in the Raccoon River Valley is a magnificent time to visit. It is highly recommended to hike the riverfront trails early in the morning between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Crisp morning light shines through the nation's largest remaining natural stands of black walnut trees, casting long shadows over the shaded trails while providing prime hours to spot colorful migratory songbirds.
Getting ThereLocated in the secluded river bends of southern West Des Moines at 3155 Walnut Woods Drive. Driving is the most logical transport method; from the city center, travel south on I-35 S, take Exit 68 for Grand Ave, turn right onto SW 105th St, and follow Walnut Woods Drive eastward into the forest. The park features a spacious, complimentary asphalt parking field right at the historic CCC stone lodge.
Travel Tips
- Perched inside the Raccoon River lower floodway basin, the paths and rental lodge experience recurrent high-water inundation during June rain patterns; audit state park water tracking indicators before trailing.
- The massive black walnut forest ecosystem is protected by strict state conservation statutes; commercial foraging or the unapproved logging and gathering of deadwood for unauthorized campfire fuels triggers civil fines.
- The electrical campsite infrastructure is finite and requires advanced digital validation; un-reserved rigs attempting hookup operations are aggressively ticketed and physically removed by park rangers.
Reviews
Positive
- Features the largest natural stand of black walnut trees in North America; the towering, sun-blocking old woods look visually stunning.
- The historic CCC-built stone and log lodge is beautifully preserved, packing a fantastic rustic nostalgia for photography.
- Entirely free as a state park; the professional bird-blind viewing shelter is well-designed, and restrooms/pavilions are clean.
- Though close to the Des Moines metro area, the interior remains highly wild and quiet with low crowds, providing real forest peace.
Heads up
- Set along low-lying mud basins of the Raccoon River, summer mosquito swarms are nightmarish; hiking is impossible without repellent.
- Spring high waters easily submerge the riverfront dirt trails; ground converts to a complete mud bog, making wheelchair transit impossible.
- The park footprint is relatively small for a state park, lacking active rock-climbing, boating, or swimming beach facilities.
- Internal trail directional signboards look weathered and broken; there are zero streetlights, making driving pitch black at night.