Prairies used to span 80% of Iowa’s landscape. But less than a tenth of the original prairie is left.1 The good news is, many remaining prairie remnants are protected. Also, conservationists and landowners are restoring prairies throughout the state. And there are many prairies near Des Moines!
Thanks to conservation efforts, more Iowans can explore and appreciate the prairie! And the more people learn, the more they understand the importance of protecting it. That’s a win-win, in our opinion.
So, if you’re ready to get out and explore the beauty of the prairie, you’re in the right place. There are many prairies near Des Moines! Below is a list of our favorite prairie areas closest to Des Moines.
And to learn about some common prairie wildflowers, check out our wildflower article! Make it a scavenger hunt while you’re out visiting the prairies.
Map of Prairies Near Des Moines
Prairies Near Des Moines
Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge
At nearly 6000 acres, Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge includes expansive prairie restoration areas. It’s also home to 90 acres of remnant prairie. So, we think it’s one of the best places to explore the prairie near Des Moines! The visitor center is fun and has a prairie area that makes it easy to see and learn. There you can learn more about the wildflowers and even see the Bison and Elk herds.
- Location: 9981 Pacific St, Prairie City, IA 50228
- For more info: See the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge website
Red Feather Prairie
Red Feather Prairie is just north of Des Moines, at Saylorville Lake. See the prairie kiosks to learn more about the prairie and wildflowers. And in the fall, find your way through the prairie maze! A paved trail runs along the north side of the prairie and links to Neal Smith Trail.
- Location: 3700 NW 90th Ave, Polk City, IA 50226
- For more info: See the master plan brochure and the Corps of Engineers Facebook page
Voas Nature Area
Voas Nature Area is a 708-acre park, just over 30 miles west of Des Moines, near Minburn. Most of the area was once farmland, of which almost 600 acres is restored prairie and wetlands. The great thing is, Voas has over 5 miles of mowed trails (and modern restrooms!), so you can spend a lot of time exploring!
- Location: 19286 Lexington Rd, Minburn, IA 50167
- For more info: See the Dallas County Conservation website
Kuehn Conservation Area
Kuehn Conservation Area is over 700 acres and is west of Des Moines, near Earlham. There you’ll find native and restored prairie, with woodlands and sandbars near the river. Explore the many hiking trails winding through the area (and you can go camping there, too!). Pre-pandemic, an annual Prairie Awakening Celebration was held each September.
- Location: 32849 Houston Trail, Earlham, IA 50072
- For more info: See the Dallas County Conservation website
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt is a 9000+ acre greenbelt that extends along 10 miles of former Skunk River oxbows. Both prairie remnant and restored prairie are there (along with other native landscapes!). Four miles of trails wind through old river oxbows, prairie, woodlands, and marsh. And south of the main visitor area along Hwy 65, find Engeldinger Marsh and a wildlife viewing area.
- Location:
- Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, 8700 NE 126th Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161
- Engeldinger Marsh, 11961 NE 118th Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161
- Wildlife Viewing platform, US-65, Maxwell, IA 50161
- For more info: Check out our Guide to Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt and the Polk Co. Conservation website.
Jensen Marsh
Jensen Marsh is a 190-acre wildlife area, about 30 miles south of Des Moines near St. Charles. It features prairie, along with wetlands and woodlands. The great thing is, a trail runs for 1¼ miles along the entire area so that you can walk the length of the park.
- Location: Bevington Park Rd, St Charles, IA 50240
- For more info: See the Madison County Conservation website
Hanson Prairie Preserve
In the 1980s, the Hanson family began converting a creek bottom to 30 acres of tallgrass prairie. They donated the land to Madison County, which continues to preserve and protect it. A looped walking trail makes it easy to explore this restored prairie area.
- Location: Winterset, IA 50273
- For more info: See the Madison County Conservation website
More Prairies in Central Iowa
McFarland Park
Highlights: 200-acres with some prairie, 5.5 miles of hiking trails, 1.5-mile “Touch-a-Life” Trail
Location: 56461 180th St, Ames, IA 50010
For more info: See the Story County Conservation website
Clanton Creek Natural Resource Area
Highlights: 1115-acre wildlife area, 10+ miles of hiking trails
Location: Peru, IA 50222
For more info: See the Madison County Conservation website
Rolling Thunder Prairie
Highlights: 282-acre wildlife area, an untouched 200-acre remnant, no hiking trails
Location: 15565 118th Ave, Indianola, IA 50125
For more info: See the Warren County Conservation website
Doolittle Prairie State Preserve
Highlights: 43-acre prairie, no designated trails
Location: Story City, IA 50248
For more info: See the Story County Conservation website
Learn more
As you can see, there are lots of great places to explore and learn about prairies near Des Moines. So, get out there and see what you can discover!
To learn more about remnant prairie, check out this fantastic article from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. (The maps in this article are a great way to see how the Iowa landscape has changed.)
And to learn more about prairie plants, download Introduction to Iowa Native Prairie Plants from the Iowa State Extension.
- Tallgrass Prairie. Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge. US Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Neal_Smith/wildlife_and_habitat/tallgrass_prairie.html
- Iowa Prairie Network. https://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/find-a-prairie
