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Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors

Lakes Near Des Moines, Iowa

DSMOutdoors

Raccoon River Park Boathouse
Raccoon River Park

Are you looking for a lake to paddle, fish, rent a boat, or spend a day unwinding by the water? Look no further. There are many excellent lakes near Des Moines, Iowa! So, whether you want some waterside relaxation or an adventure, you don’t have to look far.

Below are Des Moines lakes, starting with those closest to the metro! There are many options, and we’re sure you’ll find the perfect place to spend a day at a lake.

Map of Des Moines Lakes

Table of Contents

  • Map of Des Moines Lakes
  • Lakes near Des Moines
    • Gray’s Lake
    • Blue Heron Lake
    • Easter Lake
    • Copper Creek Lake
    • Terra Lake
    • Purple Martin Lake
    • Saylorville Lake
    • Maffitt Lake
    • Banner Lakes
    • Lake Future (DMACC/Ankeny Lake)
    • Big Creek Lake
    • Lake Petocka
    • Badger Creek Lake
    • Lake Ahquabi
    • Quarry Springs

Lakes near Des Moines

Gray’s Lake

Gray’s Lake Park, 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315

Gray’s Lake is one of the most popular lakes in the Des Moines metro!  There’s much to do and see there, all within walking distance of the city center.

  • 100-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (+ rentals)
  • Fishing (shore)
  • Beach
  • Loop Trail
kruidenier trail bridge
Gray’s Lake

Blue Heron Lake

Raccoon River Park, 2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265

Blue Heron Lake is the centerpiece of Raccoon River Park. The large beach, playground, and shelters are popular summer draws. And the boathouse offers canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

  • 232-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (+ rentals)
  • Fishing (fishing pier, jetty, shore)
  • Beach
  • Gravel loop trail

Easter Lake

Easter Lake Park, 2830 Easter Lake Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50320

Easter Lake Park is a 469-acre park with a 172-acre lake on Des Moines’ southeast side. Spend the day at the lake—rent a pontoon boat or kayak, laze on the beach or go fishing!

  • 172-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (+ rentals)
  • Pontoon rentals
  • Motorboats at no-wake speed
  • Fishing (fishing pier, jetty, shore)
  • Beach
  • Loop trail
Easter Lake Park swing
Easter Lake

Copper Creek Lake

Copper Creek Lake Park, 4390 E University Ave, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327

Copper Creek Lake is a beautiful lake on Des Moines’ east side, with plenty to do nearby. Rent a stand-up paddleboard, go fishing, or take in the beautiful surroundings!

  • 42-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (SUP rentals only)
  • Fishing (shore)
  • Loop Trail

Terra Lake

Terra Park, 6300 Pioneer Pkwy, Johnston, IA 50131

Terra Lake is in a 200-acre park on the north side of Des Moines. The stocked lake offers good fishing, and kayak rentals are available seasonally. Also, the park often hosts several community events and activities.

  • 8-acre lake
  • Kayaking (+ rentals)
  • Fishing (pier, shore)
  • Soft loop trail
Terra Lake
Terra Lake

Purple Martin Lake

Purple Martin Water Resource Area, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Enjoy the pristine waters and beautiful views at Purple Martin Lake, south of West Des Moines! Go paddling or fishing on the lake, walk the grassy trail, and see the purple martins too!

  • 87-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (no rentals)
  • Fishing (shore)
  • Grassy trail (not a loop trail!)

Saylorville Lake

Saylorville Lake is a few miles north of Des Moines and is the most popular lake near Des Moines! The 6000-acre lake draws many visitors for boating, swimming, fishing, camping, and more!

  • 6000-acre lake
  • Marina with boat rentals (and a restaurant!)
  • Fishing (shore, jetty, boat)
  • Four boat ramps
  • Two beaches
Saylorville Lake Marina
Saylorville Lake

Maffitt Lake

Dale Maffitt Reservoir, 12460 Maffitt Lake Road, Cumming, Iowa, 50061

Maffitt Lake is on the southwest side of West Des Moines. The lake’s clear water is perfect for paddling, fishing, and relaxing on the lakeshore!

  • 200-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (permit required, no rentals)
  • Fishing (small pier, shore)
  • Grassy trail (not a loop trail!)

Related:
• Top Lakes in Iowa: Best Lakes for Recreation and Relaxation
• Ice Fishing in Iowa: Safety, Gear, and Top Ice Fishing Lakes
• A Guide to Des Moines Boat Rentals
• Central Iowa Trout Fishing: Fish For Trout Near Des Moines

Banner Lakes

Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park, 13084 Elk Horn St, Carlisle, IA 50047

Banner Lakes are two of the most unique (and scenic!) lakes in the Des Moines area! The 222-acre park was once a coal mine, which created a series of beautiful lakes.

  • Banner Lake North is 16 acres
  • Banner Lake South is 24 acres
  • Fishing (pier, shore, boat); South Lake stocked with trout in cool months (permit required)
  • Kayaking and canoeing
  • Motorboats at no-wake speeds
  • Two boat ramps
  • Nearby dirt and paved trails
Banner Lakes Fishing Pier
Banner Lakes

Lake Future (DMACC/Ankeny Lake)

DMACC, 2006 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023

Des Moines Area Community College is home to this well-liked fishing lake in Ankeny, north of Des Moines.

  • 15-acre lake
  • Fishing (pier, jetty, shore)
  • Loop trail

Big Creek Lake

Big Creek State Park, 8794 NW 125th Avenue, Polk City, IA 50226

Big Creek Lake is an 866-acre lake in a state park north of Des Moines. It’s known for its swimming beach, boat rentals, excellent fishing, and more!

  • 866-acre lake
  • Marina with boat rentals (including kayaks and pontoon boats)
  • Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding
  • Motorboats at no-wake speed
  • Five boat ramps
  • Large beach with cabanas
  • Fishing (pier, jetty, shore, boat)
Big Creek State Park
Big Creek Lake

Lake Petocka

Lake Petocka, Bondurant, Iowa 50035

Lake Petocka is northeast of Des Moines in Bondurant. It’s known for its excellent shore fishing, and in the cooler months, it even gets stocked with trout!

  • 19-acre lake
  • Fishing (shore, non-motorized boat); stocked with trout in cooler months (permit required)
  • Kayaking and canoeing (no rentals)
  • Loop trail

Badger Creek Lake

Badger Creek State Recreation Area, 120th St, Van Meter, IA 50261 (off gravel roads)

This lake is part of an 1100-acre recreation area 20 miles southwest of Des Moines. It’s well known for its hunting, fishing, and sunflower fields.

  • 276-acre lake
  • Fishing (pier, shore, jetty, boat)
  • Kayaking and canoeing (no rentals)
  • Motorboats at no-wake speeds
  • Two boat ramps
Badger Creek Lake
Badger Creek Lake

Lake Ahquabi

Lake Ahquabi State Park, 16510 118th Ave, Indianola, IA 50125

Lake Ahquabi is an easy 30-minute drive south of Des Moines. And it has a lot to offer, including paddling rentals, a beach, and camping too! (Note: The lake got drained in 2021, so check to make sure it’s back before you go!)

  • 115-acre lake
  • Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and more (+ rentals)
  • Beach
  • Fishing (pier, jetty, shore, boat)
  • No-wake speeds
  • Two boat ramps
  • Loop trail

Quarry Springs

Quarry Springs Park, 200 North Park Road, Colfax, IA 50054

Quarry Springs Park is about 30 minutes east of Des Moines. The 480-acre park has three joined lakes where visitors can kayak, fish, view the Ospreys, and more.

  • 240 acres of water
  • Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding (+ rentals)
  • Fishing (shore, boat)
  • No wake speeds (electric motor or non-motorized only)
  • Two boat ramps
  • Trails (hiking, mountain biking)
Kayaking at Quarry Springs Park
Quarry Springs

There you have it, a list of the lakes near Des Moines. Armed with this information, you can get out and explore them all! Stay safe, and have fun!

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Filed Under: Fishing, Things to Do

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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.

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