Enjoy all Des Moines has to offer with winter-only fun. From ice skating to skiing, and snowshoeing to sledding, there are places all over the metro to enjoy the winter, including lots of free options!
Use this handy guide to find where to go ice skating, snow tubing, or cross-country skiing plus where to rent or buy gear to make the most of winter activities.
Where to go ice skating in Des Moines
Most locations are open from December through March depending on the weather.
Brenton Skating Plaza
Where: 520 Robert D. Ray Drive, Des Moines
Hours: Vary by day
Admission: $10/Adults, $6/Children (6-12), skate rental available
Des Moines Parks and Recreation – Neighborhood Park Ponds
Where: Greenwood Park Pond: 45th and Grand Ave, Des Moines
MacRae Park Pond: SW 9th and Davis Ave, Des Moines
Witmer Park Pond: 610 34th St, Des Moines
Hours: Normal park hours – sunrise to sunset.
Check online to be sure locations are open. They use a flag system to indicate the availability of public skating.
Admission: FREE
Indianola Parks & Recreation Outdoor Ice Rink
Where: Soccer fields south of the Indianola Middle School, 403 S. 15th St, Indianola
Hours: Hockey from dawn to noon; open skating noon to dusk.
A green sign will be posted at the gate to indicate that the rink is open; a red sign will be posted when the rink is closed.
Admission: FREE. Bring your own skates
Johnston Town Center Ice Rink
Where: 6245 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Hours: Vary by day
Admission: FREE. Skate rental available
Urbandale Parks & Recreation Outdoor Ice Rink
Where: Lions Park, 72nd St and Aurora Ave, Urbandale
Admission: FREE. Bring your own skates
Valley Community Center
Where: 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission: FREE. Bring your own skates
Waukee Parks & Recreation Outdoor Ice Rink
Where: Grant Park, 605 SE Driftwood Lane, Waukee
Hours: Hockey dawn to noon; open skating noon to dusk
Admission: FREE. Bring your own skates.
West Des Moines Parks & Recreation Outdoor Ice Rink
Where: Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission: FREE. Bring your own skates
Where to get winter gear in Des Moines
Active Endeavors
Where: 4520 University Avenue #130, West Des Moines
Rent cross-country skis, boots and poles, and snowshoes during the winter.
REI
Where: 5901 Mills Civic Pkwy Ste 401, West Des Moines
Scheels
Where: 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines
Where to go Snow Shoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, and Snow Tubing near Des Moines
Dallas County Conservation
Where: Voas Nature Center 19286 Lexington Road, Minburn
What: Cross-country skiing when there are four or more inches of snow and staff is available. They have shoes, skis, and poles, mostly for ages 10 and up (with a very limited number of sets for younger skiers) available to rent.
When: Check their Facebook page for ski days and times
Cost: $3 per person for ski rental.
Des Moines Parks & Recreation
Various Locations
Explore the outdoors with Des Moines Parks & Rec this winter. They typically schedule several snowshoe hikes and ice-fishing events throughout the season. If there is inclement weather events may be canceled or rescheduled. Check out their event calendar and follow their Facebook page for “Pop Up Programs”. Anyone under 12 years old will need to have a guardian present.
What: Snowshoeing and ice fishing
Hours: Vary by event
Cost: All events require registration, and most have a fee that includes equipment rental and instructions.
Polk County Conservation
Where: 11407 NW Jester Park Dr, Granger
The Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center is currently closed but is renting snowshoes and cross-country skis when there are at least 6 inches of snow on the ground. Equipment can be rented from the Center seven days per week for a full day or half-day when conditions are right.
What: Cross-country skiing and Snowshoeing
Hours: Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Cross-country skis, boots, and poles rent for $15 a day; Snowshoes rent for $10 a day.
Seven Oaks Recreation Center
Where: 1086 222nd Dr, Boone
Des Moines may not have mountains, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ski here. Hit the slopes at Seven Oaks Recreation Center in Boone. They also offer lessons and equipment rental as well as snow tubing.
What: Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, Snow Tubing
Hours: Weekdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Lift Rates $15 – $44
Warren County Conservation Board
Various Locations
What: Snowshoeing. They have snowshoe hikes scheduled in January and February. Classes will be canceled if there’s not enough snow.
Hours: Event times vary.
Cost: FREE but registration is required.
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, locations, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
