Gray's Lake–Gray's Lake Park Beach, 3 beaches
4.8 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 36 min
Gray's Lake–Gray's Lake Park Beach, 3 beaches is a 4.8-mile out-and-back in Gray's Lake Park near Des Moines, IA. The route passes Gray's Lake, Gray's Lake Park Beach and Gray's Lake Park Beach. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Gray's Lake–Gray's Lake Park Beach, 3 beaches
4.8 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 36 min
Elevation 797–818 ft
Out & Back · Gray's Lake Park
Trailhead: John R. Grubb Lane · 41.57039, -93.63061
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:17 PM
Transit-accessible: SW 9th St & Dart Way (Far-Side) stop 766 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass Gray's Lake.
- 50 ftPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Meredith Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Meredith to Bill Riley Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miPass Gray's Lake Park Beach.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Great Western Connector, heading W.
- 1.1 miReach Gray's Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.1 miTurn right onto Meredith to Bill Riley Trail, heading E.
- 1.3 miContinue straight onto Meredith Trail, heading E.
- 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 surface
Weather
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 — 10 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: SW 9th St & Dart Way (Far-Side) stop 766 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from John R. Grubb Lane Trailhead
- Gray's Lake Open Space–Gray's Lake, 5 sights 1.9 mi · ▲ 0 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Des Moines, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Des Moines, Iowa