Des Moines is one of the best big cities in the Midwest for lake access – with two large reservoirs on the edge of the metro, an urban lake right in the city, and several more within an hour. This guide rounds up the best lakes near Des Moines for fishing, boating, swimming and camping, with how far each one is. It’s part of our Iowa Lakes Database.
Right by the metro
- Saylorville Lake – on the northwest edge of Des Moines, a 5,400-acre reservoir for boating, fishing, beaches and the Neal Smith Trail.
- Big Creek Lake – just north of Saylorville near Polk City, with one of central Iowa’s best swimming beaches and great walleye and muskie.
- Easter Lake – a restored urban lake right in southeast Des Moines, with bass, panfish and a lakeside trail.
- Dale Maffitt Reservoir – about 25 minutes southwest, a deep, quiet bass-and-hiking lake.
Within about an hour
- Lake Red Rock – about 40 minutes southeast near Pella, the largest lake in Iowa, with beaches, marinas, pelicans and eagles.
- Lake Ahquabi – about 30 minutes south near Indianola, a state park with a sandy swim beach and camping.
- Hickory Grove Lake – northeast in Story County, a renovated lake with a beach and camping.
- Lake Panorama – about an hour west near Panora, Iowa’s largest private recreation lake.
What to do
The lakes near Des Moines cover everything: big-water boating and fishing at Saylorville and Red Rock; family swimming and beaches at Big Creek and Lake Ahquabi; quiet bass fishing and hiking at Dale Maffitt and Easter Lake; and camping at Ahquabi, Red Rock and Hickory Grove. The paved Neal Smith and High Trestle trails connect several of the metro lakes for cyclists. A Iowa fishing license is required to fish.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest lake to Des Moines?
Saylorville Lake, on the northwest edge of the metro, is the closest big lake; Easter Lake is an urban lake right in southeast Des Moines.
What is the best lake near Des Moines for swimming?
Big Creek Lake (near Polk City) has one of the best swimming beaches in central Iowa; Lake Ahquabi State Park also has a sandy swim beach.
What is the biggest lake near Des Moines?
Lake Red Rock, about 40 minutes southeast near Pella, is the largest lake in Iowa.
Browse all the largest lakes and best lakes in Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
