Bottomland Trail (Walnut Woods State Park) Hiking Guide
Walnut Woods State Park sits in the Raccoon River floodplain on the south side of West Des Moines, and its trails live by the river's moods. The Bottomland Trail loops through a forest the DNR calls the largest surviving natural stand of black walnut in North America, and it is wide, flat and quiet whenever it's dry. After a wet week it can be under water.
Route and Stats
The DNR's park flyer lists the Bottomland Trail at 2.2 miles and the Tree Swallow Trail at 1.7 miles, both rated Easy. Hiking Project maps a 2.7-mile Bottomlands loop with about 212 feet of cumulative climbing, between roughly 820 and 878 feet of elevation; that is the figure used here, though in practice the trail feels nearly level. The flyer describes 2.5 to 3 miles of trail along the river in all. The DNR's trail table lists the Bottomland Trail for hikers, bikes, cross-country skiers and horses, so expect to share it.
Flooding and Mud
The DNR is direct about it: the trails flood periodically and may stay wet and muddy after rain, and the park sits only a little higher than the river's normal level, which changes constantly. Waterproof boots are a good idea in spring. Firm or frozen ground makes late fall and winter good times to walk it, and the DNR notes the trails are popular for cross-country skiing when there is snow.
Walnuts, Birds and the Lodge
Many of the big black walnuts stand along the main park road. Collecting or picking up walnuts is not allowed. The DNR's park flyer calls birding popular year-round and especially good in spring and fall, when migrating warblers and flycatchers pass through along with hawks and owls; a bird observation and feeding station sits just west of the park office. The 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps lodge, recently renovated, can be rented.
Getting There and Facilities
The park is at 3155 SE Walnut Woods Drive. A second way in is the Athene pedestrian bridge from West Des Moines' Raccoon River Park; a half-mile paved path links the bridge to a trailhead off SW 52nd Avenue at the park's southeast corner. As of the DNR's October 26 alert update, campground restrooms are closed for the season, and the dump station and campground water shut off November 1.
Cost and Dogs
There is no entry fee at Iowa state parks. Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and state rules forbid leaving them unattended in the campground. If you want to keep going, the paved Great Western Trail, which runs 16.5 miles from Des Moines to Martensdale, has a trailhead about 3 miles from the park.
Hiking tips for Bottomland Trail (Walnut Woods State Park)
- Check recent rain before you go; this trail floods and stays muddy.
- Wear waterproof boots in spring and after storms.
- Bring binoculars during spring and fall migration for warblers and flycatchers.
- Leave the walnuts where they fall; collecting them is prohibited.
- Watch for bikes and horses, which share the Bottomland Trail.
Nearby trails to explore
- Brown's Woods Interior Loop
- Lake Ahquabi Trail
- Lost Lake Trail (Ledges State Park)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Walnut Woods works well for a flat, social walk close to town. Start a river-bottom hike on TrailMates, check conditions with the group in the event's group chat the morning of, and meet by the park office on SE Walnut Woods Drive. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.