John Pat Dorrian Trail is a 3.4-mile paved trail in the heart of downtown Des Moines. It runs along the Des Moines River’s east banks. And it’s the perfect trail to access, well, everything Des Moines has to offer. From trails to restaurants to parks and more, you’ll find it along this route!
Explore Downtown On the John Pat Dorrian Trail
The John Pat Dorrian Trail was once called the East River Trail. It makes sense since it follows the east bank of the Des Moines River!
The north end of the trail starts where Neal Smith Trail leaves off. The two trails meet between Birdland Park and the Botanical Center on the Des Moines River’s east bank. From there, the trail extends south through downtown along the river. (It shares the trail with the Principal Riverwalk for a few blocks.)
The trail’s southern point is at Pete Crivaro Park, near SE 14th Street, south of the Capitol.
Know Before You Go!
- The trail passes the Des Moines Botanical Center, Brenton Skating Plaza, and Simon Estes Amphitheater. It also offers super convenient access to the East Village and Court Avenue District.
- Pete Crivaro Park is at the trail’s south end. It’s an excellent park for kids and has a wading pool, playground, and disc golf course. You’ll also enjoy the fantastic views of the Iowa Capitol!
- John Pat Dorrian connects to several other trails to take you in any direction in the metro area.
Trail Map
Also, check out the Greater Des Moines Regional Trails Map at the Des Moines Street Collective website. And the Central Iowa Trails Interactive Map will help you plan your route.
Trailheads
The trail’s north endpoint is where it meets up with Neal Smith Trail. You can park at Birdland Park or the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center. From there, you can get on Neal Smith Trail and head south a short distance to John Pat Dorrian Trail.
Pete Crivaro Park is at the trail’s south endpoint. It has a large parking area and easy access to the trail.
Connecting Trails
Just north of downtown, the trail meets up with Neal Smith Trail and continues north for 25 miles. It runs through Saylorville Lake, right by the dam and visitor center, and north to Big Creek State Park.
John Pat Dorrian joins with the Principal Riverwalk Trail downtown from Court Avenue north to the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge (on the east side). Principal Riverwalk is a looped trail with convenient access to the East Village and Court Avenue District.
At East MLK Jr. Pkwy, you can hop on the Martin Luther King Jr. Trail that runs east-west along the road. It extends from Fleur Dr. on the west to SE 30th on the east.
The Carl Voss Trail is on the opposite side of the river from the John Pat Dorrian Trail, starting at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. You can get this trail via a bridge at SE 1st St/Scott Ave or SE 6th Street. Carl Voss Trail stretches southeast for almost five miles, all the way to Easter Lake.
John Pat Dorrian Trail Facts
- Location: Downtown Des Moines
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Surface: Asphalt
- Difficulty: Easy
- Description: The trail starts north of the Botanical Center. It follows the Des Moines River south and ends at Pete Crivaro Park.
- Trailheads: Pet Crivaro Park, Neal Smith Trail
- Connectors: Carl Voss Trail, MLK Jr. Trail, Principal Riverwalk, Neal Smith Trail
