• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Explore Des Moines
    • Winter in Des Moines
    • Our 10+ Favorite Des Moines Parks
    • Nature Areas and Parks in Des Moines
    • Des Moines Bike Trails Guide
    • Principal Riverwalk
    • Best Hiking Trails in Des Moines
  • Camping & Cabins
    • Best Fall Camping Near Des Moines
    • Camping Checklist [+ PDF]
    • Camping With Kids
    • Ultimate List of RV Essentials
    • Easy Camping Food Ideas
    • Iowa State Parks With Cabins
    • Des Moines Campground Guide
    • A Guide to Des Moines RV Parks
    • Cabin Rentals Near Des Moines
  • About
  • Contact Us
Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors

A Guide to Yellow Banks Park

DSMOutdoors

yellow banks river access and picnic table

Yellow Banks Park is a few short miles east of Downtown Des Moines and is one of the most scenic parks in Polk County. The 552-acre park is well known for its sweeping views and bluffs over the Des Moines River valley. Visitors enjoy hiking trails, camping, fishing, picnicking, and paddling. 

Park features include ballfields, camping, playgrounds, picnic shelters, boat ramps, and a pond. 

A brief history of Yellow Banks Park

Glaciers shaped the scenic bluffs overlooking the beautiful Des Moines River valley. 

Along with the resource-rich forest, the river valley was the perfect place for native cultures to live and thrive. Native American groups called this area home for thousands of years. Today, visitors can see burial mounds from the Woodland culture that lived there over 1000 years ago.

Polk County Conservation took over the park in the 1980s. They hired a state archeologist to study the area and, since then, have uncovered ancient weapons, tools, and pottery. These artifacts help us learn more about civilizations that lived in this area long ago. 

Yellow Banks Park Map

Yellow Banks Park Map
Photo Credit

As you enter the park, you’ll come to a Y in the road. You’ll find Campground #1, tent camping, and the burial mound trail on the west road (to your right as you enter). If you take another right turn off this road, you’ll go down the hill toward the Des Moines river access (across the railroad tracks). 

On the east road (to your left as you enter), you’ll find Campground #2, the ballfields, playground, and hiking trails along the road. If you take another left off of that road, it takes you to the Yellow Banks pond. There you’ll find picnic spots, hiking trails, and fishing.

yellow banks playground
Playground
View of Des Moines River
View of river from the primitive campground

Hiking Trails

Hikers will love the variety of hiking trails at Yellow Banks Park. Most trail sections are .5 miles or less, but many connect to create longer trails. Several segments of trail wind around the perimeter of the pond. Hikers can even walk to the Native American Burial mound on the northwest side of the park. See the park map for trail locations.

Some trails are grassy, while others are a bit muddy after rain or snow. The trails that start by the pond have some moderate hills and are a little muddy from time to time. But with good shoes, you won’t have any problems.

Yellow banks trail bridge (by pond)
Bridge on Trail Near Pond
yellow banks trail
Trail Bridge by Oakview Pond

Yellow Banks Campgrounds

No matter where you’re camping at Yellow Banks, you’re guaranteed a great view. The campgrounds have a variety of mature trees, including large spruce trees.

Campgrounds have 48 electric sites, with tent, backpacker, and group campsites also available.

Campgrounds #1 and #2 are near the entrance to the park. Both have electric sites, each with a public shower house/restroom. A few of the sites in each loop are reservable. A playground is located between the two campgrounds. A dump station is available for campers’ use, located between the two main campgrounds.

For more info, see: Yellow Banks Park Campgrounds: A Beautiful Outdoor Getaway Close To Des Moines

Campground Maps

Yellow banks campground #1

Campground maps are found on the Polk County Conservation website.

Yellow Banks Pond

Yellow Banks Park is home to a 5-acre fishing pond stocked with catfish, bluegill, and bass. Fish from the shore, fishing pier, or non-motorized boat! Parking is right next to the pond for easy accessibility.

After fishing, stick around for lunch at the shaded picnic area located right by the pond. And after lunch, take a hike! Some of the park’s best trails start just east and southeast of the pond.

Yellow Banks Pond
Yellow Banks Pond

Des Moines River Access

At the end of the park’s western road (across the railroad tracks) is a beautiful Des Moines River access area. There, you’ll find a boat ramp, a small picnic area, and paddle-in group campsites.

The Yellow Banks river access point is part of the Des Moines River Water Trail’s south section. From the Harriet Street access point in Des Moines to Yellow Banks is just over 10 miles. Those looking for a shorter stretch can start at the Pleasant Hill river access point for a 3.8-mile float.

Des Moines River Trail South Section
Click here for full map

The river access area is a perfect place to spot wildlife. You might see an otter playing in the river or a deer stepping out for a drink. It’s an excellent place for bird watching too. From songbirds to large raptors, a variety of birds pass through, and some stay a while. Depending on the season, visitors can spot Bald Eagles or Pelicans passing through. 

When the river is low, you can walk out onto the sandbars, explore, or go fishing. Anglers catch a variety of fish, like crappie, walleye, bass, and channel catfish. 

yellow banks river access
River Access
yellow banks picnic by river access
Picnic area at Des Moines River Access

Visit Yellow Banks Park Today!

Yellow Banks Park is located just east of Des Moines, at 6801 SE 32nd Ave. in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. 

Summer hours are 6:30 am to 10:30 pm (April 1 – October 31), and winter hours are sunrise to sunset.

Free parking is available throughout the park, at the playground, shelters, ballfields, pond, primitive campground, river access area, and a couple of parking areas along the road.

Restrooms are near Shelters #1 and #2 (near the ballfields), with more past the playground and at the Yellow Banks Pond area.

For shelter or camping reservations, visit MyCountyParks.

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
PinterestSave

Filed Under: Parks

Primary Sidebar

About Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors is a site dedicated to helping you find the best of everything outdoors in the state of Iowa. We’re native Iowans that, for over 25 years, camped, hiked, biked, and explored our home state. We encourage you to do the same.

There’s so much more to see and do in Iowa than many people imagine! Our goal is to help visitors and residents alike experience the best of our beautiful state.

Search

More Outdoor Fun in Iowa

Sign up for our seasonal newsletter on the best things to do and places to see!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    No spam, just four newsletters each year.

    Built with ConvertKit
    Winter scavenger hunt printables
    outdoor gift guides
    Rv Essentials

    Recent Articles

    • Tennis & Pickleball Courts in Des Moines: Find an Outdoor Public Court Near You
    • Winter Hiking Gear: Best winter hiking boots, pants & other gear you need
    • Trout Fishing in Iowa: Best trout streams and lakes, fishing tips, and more
    • Animal Tracks in Snow: Identifying the Most Common Animal Tracks
    • Midwest Winter Getaways: Top 10 Winter Road Trips in the Midwest

    Categories

    Footer

    Categories

    Archives

    DISCLAIMER/DISCLOSURE

    We make no express or implied claims or warranties regarding this website or results from using the information, content, materials, products, or services on DesMoinesOutdoors.com.

    Everything you read on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We do our best to keep up with the latest info on parks, trails, and other outdoor activities. But things change, and we don’t always know. 

    Outdoor activities can be dangerous and unpredictable. Use of the information on DesMoinesOutdoors.com is at the users’ risk. Users recognize this risk and agree to hold us harmless for any liability from the use of information on DesMoinesOutdoors.com, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, death, property damage, sickness, or disease. We assume no liability for the use of this website, any information on the site, or any inconvenience or injury resulting from information on the activities or places on this site.

    This site may contain affiliate links. See the full disclosure here.

    Copyright © 2023 · Des Moines Outdoors