• 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

Jordan Creek Trail: The Best Way to Explore West Des Moines

DSMOutdoors

Jordan Creek Trail at Raccoon River Park
Jordan Creek Trail at Raccoon River Park

Jordan Creek Trail is 8 miles of trail, extending west-east through West Des Moines. It’s an excellent trail that passes through suburban areas and woodlands. From delicious restaurants to beautiful parks, there’s much to see and do along the way.

About Jordan Creek Trail

The 8-mile trail starts near Jordan Creek Town Center on the west. It runs east along Jordan Creek for several miles and follows EP True Parkway to Grand Avenue. There it turns south along Grand Avenue. Soon it meets up with Jordan Creek again and heads southeast to Raccoon River Park. 

It’s the main trail through West Des Moines. One of the many great things about it is that it links to several street sidepaths. These allow trail users to access residential areas and businesses throughout the city.

You can get almost anywhere in West Des Moines from the trail. Check out several restaurants and parks along the way!

Brookview Park
Trail access at Brookview Park

Know Before You Go!

  • An info hub with bike repair tools and trail information is west of 50th Street at Jordan Creek Greenway (near Bike World). Across the street is the 1908 Draught House Bar and Grill!
  • The west end of the trail is near Jordan Creek Town Center, Iowa’s largest shopping center!
  • On the trail’s southeast endpoint is Raccoon River Park, West Des Moines’ most prominent park. It features Blue Heron Lake, a 232-acre lake at the center of the park. And it’s bordered by the beautiful Raccoon River too. It has many things to do – you can rent a boat, go fishing, swim at the beach, and much more!
  • Several restaurants are just off the trail, including Fiesta Mexican, Subway, Dominos, the Draught House, with many more at Jordan Creek Town Center.
  • The Five Waters Project is expanding outdoor recreational options throughout West Des Moines. A new pedestrian bridge will soon link Raccoon River Park with Walnut Woods. And there are plans to complete a 26-mile loop trail surrounding West Des Moines.

Trail Map

Trailheads

You can get on the west end of the trail at Brookview Park. It’s at 81st St. & EP True Pkwy in West Des Moines near the elementary school. The address is 400 81st St, West Des Moines. 

Jordan Creek Park is a great place to access the trail. This 275-acre park has an info hub and bike repair tools. It’s right beside Bike World at 310 50th St. in West Des Moines.

Fairmeadows Park has paved parking and access to the trail. If you park there, head south out of the park to get on the trail at EP True Pkwy. Fairmeadows Park is at 543 22nd Street, West Des Moines.

Raccoon River Park is the perfect place to access the trail. Access is on the east end of the park, near the softball complex. And you can stay to enjoy the beach, picnic, or rent a boat to explore Blue Heron Lake. It’s at 2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Brookview Park
Brookview Park
Fairmeadows Park
Fairmeadows Park
Jordan Creek Park
Info Hub at Jordan Creek Park
Sign at Raccoon River Park
Raccoon River Park

Connecting Trails

The trail connects to several wide street sidepaths throughout West Des Moines. The major sidepaths are Jordan Creek Mall Trail, 60th Street Trail, 50th Street Trail, and Mills Civic Parkway Trail. There are several other trail spurs throughout, connecting to businesses and residential areas.

The trail is shared with Grand Avenue Trail, at Grand and EP True Pkwy. From there, it extends south and reconnects to Jordan Creek after passing several apartment buildings. Jordan Creek goes southeast from here to Raccoon River Park. And Grand Avenue Trail continues to follow Grand Avenue south and then east.

The Raccoon River Park Trail begins at the entrance to Raccoon River Park. The 3.5-mile trail surrounds Blue Heron Lake and passes between the lake and the Raccoon River. It has paved and gravel sections.

Levee Trail meets the trail at the edge of Raccoon River Park near the softball complex. It heads northeast to Des Moines (where it connects to Walnut Creek Trail). There is some discrepancy over where Jordan Creek Trail ends, and Levee Trail begins. We’re assuming Levee Trail starts at Raccoon River Park.

Jordan Creek Trail Facts

  • Location: West Des Moines
  • Distance: ~ 8 miles
  • Surface: Concrete
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Description: The trail starts on the west near Jordan Creek Town Center and ends near Raccoon River Park on the east.
  • Trailheads: Brookview Park, Jordan Creek Park, Fairmeadows Park, and Raccoon River Park
  • Connectors: Mills Civic Parkway Trail, 50th Street Trail, 60th Street Trail, Jordan Creek Mall Trail (and other street sidepaths), Grand Avenue Trail, Levee Trail, Raccoon River Park Trail
facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
PinterestSave

Filed Under: Trails

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

    • Car Camping Essentials: How to get ready to car camp & gear you need
    • Winter Sowing Seeds: List of best seeds to winter sow and how to do it
    • Top Lakes in Iowa: 12 Best Lakes for Recreation and Relaxation
    • 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

    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