Hiking trails near Des Moines, IA
45 trails within 75 miles · 8 with detail pages · 32 within 25 miles
This page lists every named hiking trail in our database whose centroid sits within 75 miles of Des Moines. Distance is straight-line from the metro center to the trail's centroid; an actual drive to a trailhead may be longer or shorter depending on which end you start from. Multi-state trails (e.g. the Appalachian Trail) appear here if any portion of their length passes within range.
Always check trail conditions, permits, and water sources with the maintaining organisation — National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service ranger district, or trail association. Mountain trails are often impassable for half the year due to snow.
Closest trails to Des Moines
All trails within 75 miles, by distance
Within 25 miles of Des Moines
| Trail | Length | Network | From metro | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poolside Trail | — | Local | 3 mi | ~5 min |
| Hillside Mountain Bike Trail | — | Local | 3 mi | ~5 min |
| Rollercoaster Mountain Bike Trail | — | Local | 3 mi | ~5 min |
| Denmans Mountain Bike Trail | — | Local | 3 mi | ~5 min |
| North Loop | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Swan Song | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Wilderness Loop | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Gateway Trail | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Pump Track Loop | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Lake Loop | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Preparation Loop | — | Local | 5 mi | ~10 min |
| Gay Lea Wilson Trail West | — | Regional | 6 mi | ~10 min |
| High Life Loop | — | Local | 6 mi | ~10 min |
| Low Life Loop | — | Local | 6 mi | ~10 min |
| Low Line Trail | — | Local | 6 mi | ~10 min |
| Top Shelf Trail | — | Local | 6 mi | ~10 min |
| Fresh Cut | — | Local | 7 mi | ~10 min |
| Neal Smith Trail | — | Regional | 9 mi | ~15 min |
| Coal Miner's Daughter | — | Local | 11 mi | ~20 min |
| Extra Credit | — | Local | 11 mi | ~20 min |
| New Ed Beach | — | Local | 11 mi | ~20 min |
| Missing Link | — | Local | 11 mi | ~20 min |
| Corner Pocket | — | Local | 11 mi | ~20 min |
| Riverside Trail | — | Local | 11 mi | ~20 min |
| Lakeshore Trail | — | Local | 15 mi | ~25 min |
| Camper's Loop Trail | — | Local | 16 mi | ~30 min |
| Stagecoach Trail | — | Local | 16 mi | ~30 min |
| Red Cedar Trail | — | Local | 16 mi | ~30 min |
| Fox Run Trail | — | Local | 16 mi | ~30 min |
| Hickory Ridge Trail | — | Local | 16 mi | ~30 min |
| High Trestle Trail | — | Regional | 18 mi | ~30 min |
| ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 4 | 75 mi | National | 22 mi | ~40 min |
25-50 miles
| Trail | Length | Network | From metro | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop | — | Regional | 27 mi | ~50 min |
| Original Raccoon River Valley Trail | — | Regional | 28 mi | ~50 min |
| Lost Lake Interpretive Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Prairie Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Mesquakie Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Hog's Back Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Oak Woods Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Hike-in Campsite Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Old Indian Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Reindeer Ridge Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Crow's Nest Trail | — | Local | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 5 | 124 mi | National | 36 mi | ~1.1 hr |
50-75 miles
| Trail | Length | Network | From metro | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADT - Iowa - K - Seg 3 | 79 mi | National | 69 mi | ~2.0 hr |
Beyond 75 miles
Looking for trails further out? Browse the full Iowa hiking list or jump to all U.S. hiking trails.