AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Gray's Lake Park

Gray's Lake Open Space–Gray's Lake, 5 lakes

1.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 39 min

Gray's Lake Open Space–Gray's Lake, 5 lakes is a 1.9-mile out-and-back in Gray's Lake Park near Des Moines, IA. The route passes MacRae Park Pond, Gray's Lake, Gray's Lake Park Beach and 3 more before reaching Gray's Lake Park Beach at the turnaround, 0.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi787 – 827 ft2.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: MacRae Park Trail 41.56917, -93.62401
Nearest town Des Moines, IA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Gray's Lake Open Space–Gray's Lake, 5 lakes

1.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 39 min

Elevation 787–826 ft

Out & Back · Gray's Lake Park

Trailhead: MacRae Park Trail · 41.56917, -93.62401

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:17 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 500 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftPass MacRae Park Pond.
  3. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  4. 50 ftBear right onto MacRae Park Trail, heading N.
  5. 450 ftTurn left onto Meredith Trail, heading NW.
  6. 0.3 miPass Gray's Lake.
  7. 50 ftPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
  8. 200 ftTurn right, heading W.
  9. 50 ftBear right onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  10. 150 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading N.
  11. 350 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading NW.
  12. 250 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading N.
  13. 100 ftPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
  14. 200 ftPass Gray's Lake Open Space.
  15. 100 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  16. 150 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading NW.
  17. 100 ftBear left onto Gray's Station Trail, heading W.
  18. 50 ftBear right onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  19. 150 ftPass Gray's Lake.
  20. 250 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading W.
  21. 100 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  22. 50 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading W.
  23. 150 ftPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
  24. 200 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  25. 250 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading NW.
  26. 500 ftReach Gray's Lake Open Space, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  27. 450 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  28. 250 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading W.
  29. 400 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  30. 50 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading W.
  31. 50 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  32. 400 ftBear left onto Gray's Station Trail, heading W.
  33. 50 ftBear right onto Kruidenier Trail, heading W.
  34. 150 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading W.
  35. 100 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading W.
  36. 400 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading E.
  37. 250 ftContinue straight onto Kruidenier Trail, heading SE.
  38. 350 ftContinue straight onto John R. Grubb Lane, heading NE.
  39. 200 ftBear left, heading E.
  40. 50 ftTurn left onto Meredith Trail, heading E.
  41. 0.3 miTurn right onto MacRae Park Trail, heading E.
  42. 450 ftBear left, heading E.
  43. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  44. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/grays-lake-open-space-grays-lake-out-back-10-beaches-3-km

Trail surface

63% paved37% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:01 AMSunset 7:17 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 6:55 PM for the 7:17 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:34 PM — 11 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 500 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from MacRae Park Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Des Moines, Iowa