Margo Frankel Woods State Park is a state park nestled between Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa, offering a natural escape characterized by heavily timbered ravines and forested areas. This landscape provides a diverse setting for outdoor activities, including several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more. The park's varied terrain, from gravel and dirt trails to paved paths, supports a range of experiences for different activity levels.
61
Routes
4.6
(25)
Average rating
580
People visited

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
2.66km
00:43
30m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
hikers
4.60km
01:10
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
hikers
3.22km
00:51
20m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

7.64km
01:57
20m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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29
riders
97.8km
04:16
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
115
riders
63.2km
03:11
160m
160m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
32
riders
32.2km
01:25
100m
100m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

17
riders
52.1km
03:24
270m
270m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.5
(2)
15
riders
94.9km
05:24
340m
340m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6.02km
00:23
10m
10m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(3)
23
riders
22.2km
01:18
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
14
riders
42.0km
02:41
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
11.2km
00:53
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
94.0km
04:52
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.46km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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14
runners
8.44km
00:53
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
27.0km
02:48
140m
130m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
7.69km
00:48
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
8.32km
00:52
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Margo Frankel Woods State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The park features diverse terrain with paved, gravel, and dirt options for different preferences. Visitors can explore these activities through various routes in the park.
The park's hiking trails are primarily gravel and dirt, with some sections featuring steps constructed to aid navigation. Some trails can be steep, while others are easily accessible for all fitness levels. A notable trail is shaped like a 'Y' and leads to a 'secret playground' via wooden stairs. For more details, refer to Hiking in Margo Frankel Woods State Park.
Margo Frankel Woods State Park offers trails suitable for families, with some paths being stroller-friendly when conditions are dry. The park also features two playgrounds, including a 'secret playground' accessible via a trail. Explore specific options in the Family-friendly hikes in Margo Frankel Woods State Park guide.
The park provides options for mountain biking, road cycling, and touring cycling, utilizing its network of paved, gravel, and dirt trails. It connects to broader regional greenbelt trails, offering varied routes for cyclists. Guides like Cycling in Margo Frankel Woods State Park offer more information.
Yes, Margo Frankel Woods State Park features trails suitable for mountain biking, including dirt and gravel paths. These trails cater to various cycling preferences within the park's forested areas and ravines. Consult the MTB Trails in Margo Frankel Woods State Park guide for specific routes.
The park is characterized by heavily timbered ravines and forested areas, creating a rich natural environment. It also features a shallow, seasonal stream and numerous large trees that provide ample shade. These elements contribute to a feeling of being in a large wilderness within an urban setting.
The trails in Margo Frankel Woods State Park are popular during spring and fall, when the colors are particularly beautiful. During summer, trails can become overgrown and buggy. The park offers a pleasant experience throughout these seasons.
Margo Frankel Woods State Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The park's routes have an average rating of 4.67 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Yes, Margo Frankel Woods State Park offers easily accessible paths suitable for all fitness levels, including beginners. Some trails are described as stroller-friendly when not muddy, providing gentle options for those new to hiking. For specific easy routes, see Easy hikes in Margo Frankel Woods State Park.
For specific park inquiries, particularly regarding shelter reservations, individuals can contact Saylor Township. The phone number for inquiries is +1-515-289-1089. There is no dedicated official website for the park itself.
Yes, Margo Frankel Woods State Park offers traffic-free cycling options, particularly for road and touring cyclists. These routes utilize paved sections and connections to regional greenbelt trails, providing a safe environment for cycling. More information is available in the Traffic-free bike rides in Margo Frankel Woods State Park guide.

