Walnut Woods State Park

Walnut Woods State Park covers a total area of about 250 acres of wooded bottomland along the Raccoon River, West Des Moines City in Polk County, Iowa. The park is popular for its large Black Walnut trees that are near Des Moines metropolitan area. If you want to access the parks main entrance, drive towards the southern edge of West Des Moines, off IA 5.

When you get to the park, you will find a lot of natural beauty to keep your attention and draw you into the natural splendor at the park. For example, you will get to see and hear more than 90 bird species within the park among the largest stand of black walnut trees in North America. If this is not enough for you, then there are plenty of other things that you could do in the park including fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and hiking.

These activities are made possible through the various amenities that are made available to park visitors. Some of these facilities include a day-use lodge, over twenty campsites (some of which have electrical hookups), trails, modern restrooms (without showers), picnic areas, and a boat ramp.

You are also welcome to bring your dog to the park for some relaxation, fun or entertainment. If you bring your pooch into the park, remember that there are park rules that must be followed. Some of the park rules that relate to dogs include the following. First, you must always ensure that your dog is either in a secure enclosure or on a leash that has a maximum length of six feet. 

You are also expected to always maintain immediate control of your pooch and prevent your dog from wandering through the park. If you choose to camp in the park, you should be aware that there is a maximum limit of only two dogs/pets per camping tent or yurt.