Crocker Woods–Riverview Lake, 3 lakes
4.3 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 1 hr 28 min
Crocker Woods–Riverview Lake, 3 lakes is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in Birdland Park near Des Moines, IA. The route passes Birdland Lagoon, Riverview Lake and Crocker Woods. It is mostly level, with 81 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Crocker Woods–Riverview Lake, 3 lakes
4.3 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 1 hr 28 min
Elevation 789–872 ft
Out & Back · Birdland Park
Trailhead: 41.60052, -93.60898
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:15 PM
Transit-accessible: E 14th St & E University Ave stop 704 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Neal Smith Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miPass Birdland Lagoon.
- 1.1 miPass Riverview Lake.
- 50 ftPass Crocker Woods.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Riverview Park Spur, heading NW.
- 300 ftBear right onto Riverview Park Walking Loop, heading NW.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Riverview Park Trail, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftReach Crocker Woods, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Riverview Park Walking Loop, heading E.
- 250 ftBear left onto Riverview Park Spur, heading E.
- 300 ftTurn left onto Neal Smith Trail, heading W.
- 1.3 miBear right, heading SE.
- 0.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:55 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:15 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:43 PM.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: E 14th St & E University Ave stop 704 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 4 lakes 5 mi · ▲ 80 ft
- Pond for Growth–Pond for Prosperity, 5 lakes 2.9 mi · ▲ 81 ft
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