Best Lakes Near Des Moines, IA
42 lakes within 50 miles of Des Moines, ranked on agency water-quality readings.
42 lakes within 50 miles of Des Moines have nutrient and algae readings on record. Terra Park Lake in Polk County leads the set on measured water quality, with about 11.5 ft of clarity. 18 of the 42 have a recorded public access point.
Within reasonable driving distance of Des Moines sit 42 measured lakes, a lake-dense area that gives residents real choice on any given weekend.
The lakes below are sorted on measured water quality. If you have a specific activity in mind, swimming, kayaking, ice-fishing, family-fishing, the activity-specific sub-pages will filter further.
| Lake | Distance | County | Clarity | Depth | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Park Lake | 6.6 mi | Polk | 11.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Dale Maffitt Reservoir | 9.9 mi | Dallas | 9.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake | 33.1 mi | Story | 6.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Mariposa Lake | 36.6 mi | Jasper | 5.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Petocka | 12.6 mi | Polk | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Thomas Mitchell Lake | 13.1 mi | Polk | 3.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Green Castle Lake | 46 mi | Marshall | 4.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Easter Lake | 4.5 mi | Polk | 2.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Hooper Pond Lake | 21.4 mi | Warren | 2.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Hickory Grove Lake | 31 mi | Story | 3.6 ft | - | 0 |
| West Lake Osceola | 38.9 mi | Clarke | 2.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Springbrook Lake | 45.4 mi | Guthrie | 3 ft | - | 0 |
| Three Mile Lake | 46.9 mi | Union | 2.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Nodaway Lake | 49.6 mi | Adair | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Grays Lake | 1.4 mi | Polk | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Fort des Moines Park Pond | 4.9 mi | Polk | 2.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Blue Heron Lake | 6 mi | Polk | 2.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Big Creek Lake | 15.3 mi | Polk | 2.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Badger Creek Max Depth Lake | 16.9 mi | Madison | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Cedar Lake | 24.3 mi | Madison | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Beaver Lake | 30.6 mi | Dallas | 1.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Roberts Creek Lake | 31.9 mi | Marion | 1.5 ft | - | 0 |
| East Lake Osceola | 38.8 mi | Clarke | 1.2 ft | - | 0 |
| Williamson Pond Max Depth | 40 mi | Lucas | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Rock Creek Max Depth Lake | 41.1 mi | Jasper | 1.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Don Williams Lake | 41.6 mi | Boone | 1.8 ft | - | 0 |
| Ellis Lake | 44 mi | Lucas | 2 ft | - | 0 |
| Morris Lake | 44 mi | Lucas | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Meadow Lake | 44.3 mi | Adair | 1.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Red Haw Lake | 44.5 mi | Lucas | 3.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Thayer Lake | 45.3 mi | Union | 3.5 ft | - | 0 |
| Little Wall Lake | 47 mi | Hamilton | 0.7 ft | - | 0 |
| Arbor Lake Max Depth | 47.1 mi | Poweshiek | 1.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Spring Lake Max Depth | 47.3 mi | Greene | 0.9 ft | - | 0 |
| Greenfield Lake | 48.6 mi | Adair | 2.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Humeston Reservoir | 49 mi | Wayne | 1.6 ft | - | 0 |
| Twelve Mile Lake | 49.1 mi | Union | 2.4 ft | - | 0 |
| Lake Orient | 50 mi | Adair | 1.3 ft | - | 0 |
| Big Creek Beach Lake | 17.2 mi | Polk | — | - | 0 |
| Lake Ahquabi Beach | 20.6 mi | Warren | — | - | 0 |
| Rock Creek Beach Lake | 41.3 mi | Jasper | 1.1 ft | - | 0 |
| Springbrook Beach Lake | 45.3 mi | Guthrie | — | - | 0 |
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Cleanest Lakes Near Des Moines
6.6 mi · Polk County · 11.5 ft clarity
9.9 mi · Dallas County · 9.8 ft clarity
33.1 mi · Story County · 6.8 ft clarity
36.6 mi · Jasper County · 5.1 ft clarity
12.6 mi · Polk County · 3.3 ft clarity
13.1 mi · Polk County · 3.3 ft clarity
Lakes Near Other Cities
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are near Des Moines?
There are 42 lakes with water-quality readings on record within 50 miles of Des Moines, Iowa. 18 of them have a recorded public access point and 39 have a clarity reading.
What are the best lakes near Des Moines for fishing?
0 lakes near Des Moines have documented fish species data. The best fishing lakes combine favourable water-quality readings with diverse fish populations. 0 lakes within 50 miles have 5 or more documented fish species.
Where to stay near Des Moines
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Des Moines — book a place close to the cleanest lakes in the area.
Top-rated places to stay near Des Moines
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.