POLK COUNTY

General Info

The Sac and Fox Indian tribes originally occupied Polk County until land was claimed by France. As Indians were cleared from the area in 1840, French fur trappers and traders began settling. In 1842 the Sac and Fox Treaty was signed and land was open for settlement. Military posts were then built in Des Moines to keep the peace between settlers and Indians. Iowa became a state in 1846 and Polk County was officially established, named after President James K. Polk. Fort Des Moines was designated the county seat in 1855 and the name was shortened to Des Moines. The state capital was originally Iowa City until 1857 when it was moved to Des Moines. Today Polk County is home to approximately 424,778 residents.

Navigation

Cities

All the cities in the county and links to their sites (if available)

Trail Information & Maps

Get all your trail info here. Atv, Bike, Snowmobile, Equestrian, Cross-Country Skiing and more.

Local Events

Get out and enjoy what County has to offer

Residential Services

Need to know how to get ahold of certain services within County? Here’s your go to spot.

Parks and Recreation

A nice central location to see all parks and recreational options are in County.

Area Attractions

If you really want to know what stands out in this area local attractions look no further.

License Centers

Get your hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing and other passes/licenses in these locations.

Hunting Seasons

Here’s the scoop on the hunting seasons for this county.

Trapping Seasons

All the trapping dates you’ll need to know are right here.

Fishing Seasons

Get your fishing on at the right time. Here are the details on the fishing seasons.

CITIES

Cities In Polk County

Not including unincorporated communities

Cities

Alleman
Altoona
Ankeny
Bondurant
Carlisle
Clive
Des Moines
Elkhart
Granger

Grimes
Johnston
Mitchellville
Norwalk
Pleasant Hill
Polk City
Runnells
Sheldahl
Urbandale
West Des Moines
Windsor Heights

TRAILS

ATV, Bicycling, Snowmobile, Equestrian trails and more.

More Trails Information

Click map to download PDF

Polk County has a good variety of trails for your outdoor enjoyment. Right now this includes a little bit of everything from ATV’s, Snowmobiles, Hiking, Bicycling, Equestrian and more. We’ve gathered information on where the trails are at for your enjoyment. If you happen to know of any we missed please pass it on to us. Also remember to be responsible while using the trails.

EVENTS

Local Events

If you’re looking for some entertainment here’s a list of events going on.

Featured Events:

1 2 3

January

MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration | Des Moines
Beast Feast | Johnston
Chinese New Year | West Des Moines

February

March

Country Spring Break | Clive
Kidfest | Des Moines
St. Patrick’s Day Parade | Des Moines
Authentic St. Patrick’s Day | Urbandale

April

May

June

July

August

Iowa State Fair | Des Moines
Pelican Festival | Granger
LobsterFest | Polk City

September

October

November

Santa’s North Pole Village | Ankeny
Jolly Holiday Lights | Des Moines
Turkey Trivia | Granger

December

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

County Residential Services

A little bit of contact information for all purpose residential needs.

Administration (515) 286-3215
Assessor 286-3140
Building & Grounds 286-3228
Central Accounting 286-3753
Community & Family Division 286-3434
County Attorney 286-3737
County Information 286-3000
Election Office 286-3247
Emergency 911
Emergency Management 286-2107
Information Technology 286-3757
Treasurer 286-3030

Health Department 286-3798
Health Services 286-4545
Human Resources 286-3200
Medical Examiner 286-2102
Public Works 286-3705
Purchasing 286-3215
Recorder 286-3160
Sheriff 286-3800
Taxes & Mapping 286-3080
Veteran Affairs 286-3670
Youth Services 286-3344

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Area Attractions

Experience some of the great opportunities and adventures that await in the county.

7 FLAGS EVENT CENTER

2100 100th St. | Clive | (515) 278-8888

ADVENTURELAND PARK

305 NW 34th Ave. | Altoona | (515) 266-2121

ALLPLAY ULTIMATE ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX

615 3rd St. | Des Moines | (515) 333-5050

ANKENY AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

301 SW 3rd St. | Ankeny | (515) 965-5795

BASILICA OF ST. JOHN

1915 University Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 244-3101

BIG BARN HARLEY-DAVIDSON

81 NW 49th Pl. | Des Moines | (515) 265-4444

BLANK PARK ZOO

7401 SW 9th St. | Des Moines | (515) 285-4722

CITY OF CLIVE AQUATIC CENTER

1801 NW 114th St. | Clive | (515) 440-0599

CENTRAL IOWA RAILROAD CLUB

3000 E Grand Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 266-8899

CENTRAL STATES THEATRE CORPORATION

505 5th Ave. #414 | Des Moines | (515) 243-5287

BRENTON SKATING PLAZA

520 Robert D. Ray Dr. | Des Moines | (515) 284-1000

DES MOINES ART CENTER

400 Locust St. #265 | Des Moines | (515) 286-4960

DES MOINES BOTANICAL CENTER

909 Robert D. Ray Dr. | Des Moines | (515) 323-6290

DES MOINES BUCCANEERS HOCKEY

7201 Hickman Rd. | Des Moines | (515) 278-2827

DES MOINES CIVIC CENTER

221 Walnut St. | Des Moines | (515) 246-2300

DES MOINES MENACE SOCCER

4440 Mills Civic Pkwy. | West Des Moines | (515) 226-9860

DES MOINES PLAYHOUSE

831 42nd St. | Des Moines | (515) 277-6261

DES MOINES PUBLIC LIBRARY

1000 Grand Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 283-4152

DES MOINES SYMPHONY

221 Walnut St. | Des Moines | (515) 280-4000

FORT DES MOINES MUSEUM

75 E Army Post Rd. | Des Moines | (515) 282-8060

FRIDLEY THEATRES, INC.

1321 Walnut St. | Des Moines | (515) 282-9287

GRAND SLAM USA

4137 120th St. | Urbandale | (515) 278-1070

HERITAGE ART GALLERY

120 2nd Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 286-2242

HISTORIC VALLEY JUNCTION

217 5th St. | Des Moines | (515) 222-3642

HOYT SHERMAN PLACE

1501 Woodland Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 244-0507

HYVEE HALL

730 3rd St. | Des Moines | (515) 564-8000

IOWA BARNSTORMERS

833 5th Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 633-2255

IOWA CUBS BASEBALL

1 Line Dr. | Des Moines | (515) 243-6111

IOWA ENERGY BASKETBALL

833 5th Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 462-2849

IOWA GOLD STAR MUSEUM

7105 NW 70th Ave. | Johnston | (515) 252-4531

IOWA HALL OF PRIDE

330 Park St. | Des Moines | (515) 280-8969

IOWA STATE CAPITOL

1007 E Grand Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 281-3566

IOWA STATE FAIRGROUNDS RACETRACK

E 30th & E University Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 262-3111

ITALIAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER

1961 Indianola Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 280-3719

JASPER WINERY

2400 George Flagg Pkwy. | Des Moines | (515) 282-9463

JESTER PARK EQUESTRIAN CENTER

11171 NW 103rd Ct. | Granger | (515) 999-2818

JOHN & MARY PAPPAJOHN SCULPTURE PARK

13th St. & Grand Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 277-4405

JORDAN HOUSE

2001 Fuller Rd. | West Des Moines | (515) 225-1286

LIVING HISTORY FARMS

11121 Hickman Rd. | Urbandale | (515) 278-2586

OAK VIEW II HUNTING CLUB

12726 W Hwy. F70 | Runnells | (515) 966-2095

PRAIRE MEADOWS RACETRACK & CASINO

1 Prairie Meadows Dr. | Altoona | (800) 325-9015

SALISBURY HOUSE

4025 Tonawanda Drive | Des Moines | (515) 274-1777

SAYLOR SKATEPARK

6359 NE 14th St. | Des Moines | (515) 289-0303

SCOTTISH RITE CONSISTORY

519 Park St. | Des Moines | (515) 288-8929

SLEEPY HOLLOW SPORTS PARK

4051 Dean Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 262-4100

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF IOWA

600 E Locust St. | Des Moines | (515) 281-5591

TALLGRASS THEATRE COMPANY

1401 Vine St. | West Des Moines | (866) 745-4535

TERRACE HILL

2300 Grand Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 281-3604

VAL AIR BALLROOM

301 Ashworth Rd. | West Des Moines | (515) 223-6152

VARSITY THEATRE

1207 25th St. | Des Moines | (515) 277-0404

PARKS AND RECREATION

Parks and Recreation

*For more information on County Parks, visit: http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/

Brown’s Woods

Brown’s Woods is a 484 acre forest featuring oak and hickory trees. It is the largest urban forest preserve in Iowa with over two miles of trails. Visitors can collect fruits, edible mushrooms and nuts, and can enjoy hiking and geocaching. Located in West Des Moines.

Carney Marsh

Carney Marsh is a 40 acre wildlife habitat where visitors can enjoy bird watching and wildlife viewing. Located in Ankeny.

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

Located along 10 miles of the Skunk River, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt was developed to preserve and restore the Skunk River Channel. Visitors can enjoy camping, canoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, geocaching, hiking, hunting, picnicking. Chichaqua features a dog training area, enclosed shelter, historic bridge, playground, trap range, waterfowl blinds and a wildlife exhibit. Located in Maxwell.

Chichaqua Valley Trail

Located along 20 miles from Bondurant to Baxter, the Chichaqua Valley Trail was a former railroad route. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. Located in Bondurant.

Easter Lake Park

Located along Easter Lake, Easter Lake Park features a swimming beach, boat rentals covered bridge, playgrounds, shelters and volleyball courts. Visitors can enjoy boating, canoeing, fishing, geocaching, hiking and picnicking. Located in Des Moines.

Engeldiner Marsh

Engeldiner Marsh is an 81 acre wildlife area that contains rare prairie pothole, sedge meadow with over 314 species of plants and over 82 species of birds. Known as a “geological and ecological museum,” visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing and hunting. Located in Bondurant.

Fort Des Moines Park

Fort Des Moines Park is a 117 acre park located on the former Fort Des Moines Calvary Post. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, geocaching, picnicking. Features include an arboretum, ball diamond, playground, shelters and a nature trail. Located in Des Moines.

Gay Lea Wilson Trail

Upon completion, the Gay Lea Wilson Trail will extend over 35 miles throughout Polk County and will connect businesses, trails and parks through five counties. Visitors can enjoy biking, hiking and wildlife viewing. Located in Pleasant Hill.

Great Western Trail

Located along 16 miles from Des Moines to Martensdale, the Great Western Trail was a former railroad route. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. Located in Des Moines.

Lewis A. Jester Park

Located on 1,834 acres along the shore of Saylorville Lake, Jester Park is a stopping point for many migratory birds. Visitors can enjoy boating, camping, cross-country skiing, fishing, geocaching, golfing, hiking, picnicking, bird watching and snowmobiling. Features include an equestrian center, playgrounds, playscape, shelters and a wildlife exhibit. Located in Granger.

Sycamore Trail

Located along over six miles of scenic Des Moines, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. Located in Des Moines.

Thomas Mitchell Park

Located on 175 acres of oak-hickory woodland, Thomas Mitchell Park is named after Polk County’s first permanent English speaking settler. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, geocaching, picnicking and snowmobiling. Features include a ball diamond, playground and shelters. Located in Mitchellville.

Yellow Banks Park

Located on 517 acres of the Des Moines River, Yellow Banks Park sits atop 140 foot tall bluffs. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, geocaching, hiking, picnicking and bird watching. Features include ball diamonds, playground, shelters and a Native American burial mound. Located in Pleasant Hill.

LICENSES

License Centers

You can purchase hunting and fishing licenses, cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers through the Electronic License System. Online:www.iowadnr.gov by phone: (515) 281-5918 or visit one of the ELS agents available throughout Polk County:

ALTOONA

ARCHERY FIELD & SPORTS
3725 NE 56th St. | Altoona | (515) 265-6500

BASS PRO SHOPS OUTDOOR WORLD
1000 Bass Pro Dr. NW | Altoona | (515) 957-5500

HYVEE INC. #1001
108 8th St. NW | Altoona | (515) 967-7676

WALMART #2764
3501 8th St. SW | Altoona | (515) 976-1711

ANKENY

HYVEE INC. #1022
410 N Ankeny Blvd. | Ankeny | (515) 964-0450

SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE #120
921 SE Oralabor Rd. | Ankeny | (515) 963-3500

WALMART #0892
1002 SE National Dr. | Ankeny | (515) 963-1111

CLIVE

DAHLS/HICKMAN
8700 Hickman Rd. | Clive | (515) 276-4955

DAHLS/W HICKMAN
15500 Hickman Rd. | Clive | (515) 987-0366

KMART #3447
10331 University Ave. | Clive | (515) 222-0868

DES MOINES

2ND AVE. BAIT HOUSE
133 Franklin Rd. | Des Moines | (515) 282-4217

DAHLS/BEAVER
1819 Beaver Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 255-3151

BIG CREEK MARINA
6110 SE 6th Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 263-8467

DAHLS/E 33RD
3400 E 33rd St. | Des Moines | (515) 262-7942

DAHLS/E EUCLID
1320 E Euclid Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 265-4257

DAHLS/FLEUR
4121 Fleur Dr. | Des Moines | (515) 285-5927

DAHLS/INGERSOLL
3425 Ingersoll Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 255-3118

DAHLS/MERLE HAY
4343 Merle Hay Rd. | Des Moines | (515) 278-1657

DAHLS/N ANKENY
1802 N Ankeny Blvd. | Des Moines | (515) 289-0908

DNR RECEPTION #2
502 E 9th St. | Des Moines | (515) 281-7656

DNR RECEPTION #1
502 E 9th St. | Des Moines | (515) 281-5876

DES MOINES, CONTD.

HYVEE INC. #1138
2540 E Euclid Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 262-0640

HYVEE INC. #1142
3221 SE 14th St. | Des Moines | (515) 243-7271

HYVEE INC. #1148
4707 Fleur Dr. | Des Moines | (515) 285-7266

HYVEE INC. #1151
1113 SE Army Post Rd. | Des Moines | (515) 953-0946

KMART #4160
2535 Hubbell Ave. | Des Moines | (515) 262-5628

KMART #4156
7501 Hickman Rd. | Des Moines | (515) 276-6712

WALMART #1723
5101 SE 14h St. | Des Moines | (515) 287-7700

EARLHAM

STONEHAVEN SPORTING SHOOT CLUB
1005 Kiowa Ave. | Earlham | (515) 202-5668

GRIMES

GRIMES TRUE VALUE
204 1st St. | Grimes | (515) 986-0031

WALMART #5748
2150 E 1st St. | Grimes | (515) 986-1783

JOHNSTON

DAHLS/JOHNSTON
5440 NW 86th St. | Johnston | (515) 278-0300

HYVEE INC. #1318
5750 Merle Hay Rd. | Johnston | (515) 270-9045

JOHNSTON BAIT & TACKLE
6148 Merle Hay Rd. | Johnston | (515) 254-1976

PLEASANT HILL

HYVEE INC. #1530
4815 Maple Dr. | Pleasant Hill | (515) 262-7956

POLK CITY

POLK CITY BAIT & TACKLE
301 Walnut St. | Polk City | (515) 984-6711

URBANDALE

HYVEE INC. #1759
8601 Douglas Ave. | Urbandale | (515) 270-2572

WEST DES MOINES

DAHLS/EP TRUE VALUE
5003 EP True Pkwy. | West Des Moines | (515) 224-0111

DAHLS/PROSPECT
1208 Prospect Ave. | West Des Moines | (515) 223-4626

SPORTS AUTHORITY
4100 University Ave. | West Des Moines | (515) 226-9700