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Walnut Woods State Park |
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Facilities and Activities
Picnicking/Shelters/Lodge
The park provides shaded picnic areas with fire grills and tables. Many are
located close to the river for easy access to fishing.
The popular lodge is an outstanding feature of the park. It is a beautiful
setting for weddings, family reunions, holiday parties and business meetings.
The lodge was built in the 1930s of limestone brought in from an eastern Iowa
quarry and rough-cut hand-filled lumber. The lodge is available for rental on a
reservation basis.
Camping
The shady campground is a popular place for a family "get-a-way." There are 23
campsites, 8 with electric hookups. The park has modern restrooms and an RV dump
station. There are no shower facilities. The campsites are nestled among shade
trees and have gravel pads, picnic tables and fireplaces. Starting February 13,
2006 advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation
system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a
first-come, first-serve basis.
Trails
Walnut Woods is open year-round and is perfect for cross-country skiing. There
are approximately two and one-half miles of trails.
River Activities ( boating, fishing)
The park is located right along the Raccoon River which offers great fishing and
canoeing opportunities. You can fish from the river bank or put your boat in the
water at the boat ramp located on the west end of the park.
Walnut Woods encompasses 260 acres of wooded bottomland along the Raccoon River.
Within the park lies a large surviving natural stand of black walnut trees. More
than 90 species of birds have been identified along the numerous foot and bridle
trails throughout the park and along the river.
The valley in which Walnut Woods is located was created by the meandering of the
Raccoon River. Since the park elevation is not much higher than the normal river
level, constant changes can be seen in its banks. The most dramatic is where the
river channel runs against the western edge of the park. Constant churning and
washing in the past removed tons of soil, sand and gravel. In the mid-1980s, the
most vulnerable areas of the riverbank were protected by rock "riprap" and
special jetties designed to minimize erosion.
Located only minutes southwest of Des Moines, the park provides shaded picnic
areas with fireplaces and tables and peaceful spots for river fishing. The park
is open year-round and is perfect for cross-county skiing with 2 1/2 miles of
ski trails. A pleasant equestrian trail is also located in the park.
Nearby Towns
Walnut Woods is located within the Des Moines metropolitan area at the southern
edge of West Des Moines.
Contact Information
Walnut Woods State Park
3155 Walnut Woods Dr.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
ph. 515/285-4502
fax:515/285-7476
E-mail address: Walnut_Woods@dnr.state.ia.us |
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