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Water Works Park – Gray's Lake Park loop from Urbandale

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Bike touring routes & trails

Water Works Park – Gray's Lake Park loop from Urbandale

Moderate

4.8

(5244)

6,016

riders

Water Works Park – Gray's Lake Park loop from Urbandale

02:26

40.4km

120m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 127 m for 54 m

After 40.1 km for 54 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.30 km

Walker Johnston Park

Highlight • Trail

Discover hidden sculptures and murals throughout the park. Follow a storybook trail around the pond, enjoying pages displayed along the path. There's even a community garden where residents can grow their own food.

Tip by

8.34 km

Colby Park BCycle Bike Share Station

Highlight • Rest Area

There’s a group called BCycle Bike Share (owned by Bicycle Transit Systems). They have these stations along the trail (Clive Greenbelt) that allow you to rent traditional or electronic bikes. It’s managed on a free app, where you can purchase by the minute, hour, or opt for an annual pass. The whole process was smooth sailing. The bikes (while needing some tune ups — like the front break, for instance) were decent road bikes and fun for the family to try something new!

We went over the hour we booked them for, and they only charged us for the time we used instead of clocking a full second hour, which was very generous. They seem to be a hit around here, as they have several locations and all have bikes that are out.

Unfortunately, as far as iowa goes, this is the only city they’re in. I’d love to see them other places along trails — in some of our rural areas. I think their presence could teach kids about alternative transportation and open doors by giving them an experience they won’t have otherwise.

Tip by

16.4 km

Water Works Park

Highlight • Natural

Water Works Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and spans 1,500 acres. It is managed by Water Works, a publicly owned municipal water utility serving the greater Des Moines metropolitan area. It ranks among the largest urban parks in the United States, features a beer garden, and is dog-friendly.

Tip by

21.5 km

Gray's Lake Park

Highlight • Lake

Gray's Lake Park has a total size of 166-acres and is located in the heart of Des Moines. The lake of the same name is the park's main feature and is surrounded by a path for cycling and hiking. One of the highlights is the bridge that crosses the lake, as it can be illuminated in the evening and nighttime.

Tip by

23.6 km

Gray's Lake beach

Highlight • Beach

This sandy beach at Gray’s Lake is a great spot to pause during or after your hike. Dip your feet in the water, relax on the sand, or even have a quick picnic before finishing the loop around the lake.

Tip by

36.6 km

Colby Woods

Highlight • Forest

Colby Woods is a peaceful and scenic residential area with lush greenery, a charming small park, a small playground, and a well-maintained golf course. The Colby Woods Trail multiuse pathway runs along the beautiful North Walnut Creek, providing a perfect setting for an enjoyable bike ride.

Tip by

40.4 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

31.1 km

6.29 km

1.90 km

1.00 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

17.5 km

16.4 km

3.63 km

1.73 km

1.01 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (300 m)

Lowest point (240 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 26 August

28°C

19°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Water Works Park – Gray's Lake Park loop from Urbandale

Walker Johnston Park

Colby Park BCycle Bike Share Station

Water Works Park

Gray's Lake Park

Gray's Lake beach

Colby Woods

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