Gray's Lake Park – Water Works Park loop from Valley Junction Park

Gray's Lake Park – Water Works Park loop from Valley Junction Park

Moderate

3.4

(2)

riders

Gray's Lake Park – Water Works Park loop from Valley Junction Park

03:03

30.7km

60m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 29, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.36 km

Bill Riley Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Bill Riley Trail is a 2.7-mile paved pathway that winds through wooded areas, including Ashworth Park, and crosses the Raccoon River via a rustic trestle bridge. The trail is …

Tip by

5.73 km

Gray's Lake Park

Highlight • Lake

Gray's Lake Park has a total size of 166-acres and is located in the heart of Des Moines. The lake of the same name is the park's main feature and …

Tip by

8.17 km

Raccoon River

Highlight • River

As you make your way over the bridge you will catch views of the Raccoon River, a tributary of the Des Moines River. Stretching over 30.8 miles, this river winds …

Tip by

12.0 km

This sandy beach at Gray’s Lake is a great spot to pause during or after your hike. Dip your feet in the water, relax on the sand, or even have a quick picnic before finishing the loop around the lake.

Tip by

19.8 km

Walnut Creek Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Walnut Creek Trail is a 3.2-mile, flat, paved multi-use trail that serves as a vital connector within the Des Moines metropolitan area's extensive trail network. Starting in Windsor Heights, …

Tip by

28.5 km

Water Works Park

Highlight • Natural

Water Works Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and spans 1,500 acres. It is managed by Water Works, a publicly owned municipal water utility serving the …

Tip by