Wondering where to go sledding in the Des Moines area?
Wonder no more. We’ve got the ultimate list of the best sledding hills in the Des Moines area! Each winter, kids and adults flock to these local sledding hills. So if you’re ready for some winter fun, read on. You’re sure to find a place to go sledding near you!
Sledding hills in and around Des Moines
Below is our top 10 list of the best sledding hills in the Des Moines area. And then read on for even more places to go!
(And If you know of a great hill that we missed, please let us know, and we’ll get it added.)
Map of Des Moines sledding hills
The best sledding destinations around Des Moines
Waveland Golf Course
4908 University Ave
Des Moines, IA 50311
Waveland Golf Course is one of the most popular sledding destinations around! When we get at least 4 inches of snow, signs get posted at the entrance gate when it’s open for sledding. Sometimes you can even go sledding at night! (Also, if the clubhouse is open, stop in for a hot chocolate.) The Des Moines Parks & Rec Facebook page posts sledding updates.
Bright Grandview Golf Course
2401 E 29th St
Des Moines, IA 50317
Like Waveland, the Bright Grandview Golf Course is open for sledding when we have four+ inches of snow out there! Check the Des Moines Parks & Rec Facebook page for sledding details.
Fairmount Park
2520 Hull Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
Winter weekends can get busy at Fairmont Park! Kids and adults alike await their chance at the steep, fast hill at this little eastside park! So naturally, you’ll want to make your way to this one.
Winter Park (Metro Ice Arena)
5100 NW 72nd St
Urbandale, IA 50322
This long, steep sledding hill is one of the best around! The hill can take a while to climb, but the reward is worth it! Once four inches of snow has fallen, the hill is open to the public.
Southwoods Park
350 S 35th St
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Southwoods Park is in a quiet wooded area of West Des Moines. The hills on the disc golf course are steep and make for some fast sledding runs! Parking is available at the park.
Jordan Creek Elementary
4105 Fuller Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
On a snowy winter weekend, the long sledding hill at Jordan Creek Elementary in West Des Moines is fun for all ages! And it isn’t far from Southwoods Park, so you could easily hit both hills on the same day!
MercyOne Clive Campus
1601 NW 114th St
Clive, IA 50325
Find this popular sledding hill on the south side of the MercyOne Clive Campus. The steep, fast hill is busy on the weekends! Park at the Clive Aquatic Center and walk north to the hill.
Capitol Hill
1111 East Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
This swift hill will have you at the bottom before you know it! The sledding hill is near the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. Note that there are nearby roads, so please use caution.
Campbell Recreation Area (Clive)
12385 Woodlands Pkwy
Clive, IA 50325
Campbell offers some gentle, decent-sized hills with plenty of space (and few trees)! It’s a great sledding spot for all ages.
Cherry Glen Picnic Area (Saylorville Lake)
4599 NW 94th Ave #4339
Polk City, IA 50226
Go sledding at Saylorville Lake! The sledding hill is on the west side of the picnic area. So go for the sledding, and enjoy the winter lake views!
Sleepy Hollow Snow Park (closed for 2021-22)
4051 Dean Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
Sleepy Hollow makes snow, so if there’s no snow anywhere else, you can find a snow hill there! They have several runs for snow tubes, sleds, and ski sleds. You must pay a fee to use the runs and rent the tubes and sleds.**
**Sleepy Hollow Snow Park is closed for the 2021- 22 season. Polk Co. Conservation recently bought Sleepy Hollow and will start management during the 2022-23 season.
More sledding hills
If you want to avoid the crowds or are looking for somewhere new, there are many more sledding hills! Here’s a list of more places to go.
Des Moines Metro
- Ewing Park, 5300 Indianola Ave, Des Moines, IA 50320
- Greenwood Park, 4500 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
- Irving E. Stone Park, 2100 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
- Union Park, 725 Thompson Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316
- Macrae Park, 1021 Davis Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315
- Perkins Elementary School, 4301 College Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
- Pearson Park, 1256 19th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Beaver Creek Elementary School, 8701 Lyndhurst Dr, Johnston, IA 50131
- Pointe Vista Park, 9612 Enfield Dr, Johnston, IA 50131
- Country Club Glen Park, 16335 Sheridan Ave, Clive, IA 50325
Waukee
- Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Ln, Waukee, IA 50263
- Warrior Park, 1020 4th St, Waukee, IA 50263
Ankeny
- Northcreek Park, NW 13th St & NW Irvinedale Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023
- Summerbrook Park, 1009 SE 8th St, Ankeny, IA 50021
- Otter Creek Golf Course, 4100 NE Otter Creek Drive, Ankeny, IA 50021
Altoona
- Lion’s Park, 507 13th Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009
- Ironwood Park, 2222 3rd Ave SW, Altoona, IA 50009
30+ miles away
- Brenton Arboretum, 25141 260th St, Dallas Center, IA 50063 (park road is closed in winter)
- Seven Oaks Recreation, 1086 222nd Dr, Boone, IA 50036 (fees, snow tubing)
- Gateway Hills Park, Gateway Hills Park Dr, Ames, IA 50014
Disclaimer: Sledding is an outdoor activity that can be risky and dangerous. Please check each member of your party’s health before participating in all outdoor activities. And, please, supervise children!
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