There are so many great parks to explore in Des Moines. We narrowed it down to 6 of our favorite Des Moines parks (plus 4 honorable mentions). They are great for all ages and feature a variety of unique features.
Check out our Guide to Des Moines Parks for more!
Looking for a park in Ames? Check out 3 of our favorite parks in Ames.
Best Parks in Des Moines Area
Riverview Park, Des Moines
This park has an amusement park theme and is on the North side of Des Moines, near North High School. Kids can climb on a ferris wheel, ride bumper cars, climb a roller coaster track, and more. It also has an outdoor music venue and walking loop. The park is down a hill from McHenry Park, which includes a fun splashpad.
Alice Nizzi, Waukee
A spaghetti theme makes this park unique. Imagine “spinning” noodles on a fork, climbing a meatball, and hanging from a bowl of pasta. It’s a great park for kids who love to climb. This neighborhood park has street parking and benches but no bathrooms or picnic tables.
Terra Park, Johnston
6400 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston
This accessible park includes plenty of ares for kids to climb and explore. The fishing lake is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegills. Terra Park has a shelter with bathrooms, native plantings, a fishing pier, and connects to bike trails.
Ironwood Park, Altoona
Dubbed the “Pirate Park” this park features a pirate design where kids can “walk the plank”, sail on a ship, and take a picture with the giant Moai statue.
Ashley Okland Park, Des Moines
1895 E McKinley Ave, Des Moines
This all-inclusive playground has shade umbrellas over parts of it making it great for sunny days. It has a spiderweb and honeycomb structure for kids to climb, swings, and lots of slides. When you’re done playing at the park, explore the surrounding trails in Ewing Park.
Miracle Park, Ankeny
Don’t miss Ankeny’s largest playground! This all-inclusive park features roller tables, sway gliders, a sensory play center, and an omni spinner. There is limited shade at this park, so it’s best for cool, cloudy days.
Honorable Mentions
The largest outdoor skate park in the country, located in downtown Des Moines.
This Beaverdale gem features a unique playground, splash pool, and walking trails.
This park, behind Bergman Academy, has a sprayground and a nice shady playground.
Walker Johnson Park, Urbandale
Located in the heart of Urbandale, this park has a little bit of everything including a skate park, observation tower, tennis courts, swings, slides, pond, and more!
