A hike to a playground in Iowa can make a visit to Margo Frankel Woods State Park especially memorable. One playground is positioned near the parking area, but there’s a joy to be found in discovering another. A detour that leads up the stairs from the two-mile, out-and-back trail leads to a second play opportunity for children, who will like finding it as a hidden surprise. That’s part of the charm of the Margo Frankel Trail. Some noise from traffic along 2nd Street (Highway 145) will remind hikers how close they are to downtown Des Moines, in a park that’s located about seven miles north of the Capitol. Yet once they travel a short distance into the woods, it’s remarkable how far removed from the city they feel.

The rock identifying the trail honors park namesake Margo Frankel, who's remembered as an environmentalist.
Thack Cavan/alltrails
You would never know that the stairs in the woods lead to a playground, would you?
Stephanie Shearer/alltrails
Hikers soon discover why "wooded" is part of the park's name.
Caitlin Richenbacher/alltrails
Unique sights and vantage points emerge along the Margo Frankel Trail.
Thack Cavan/alltrails
Plant life is part of the attraction and the educational opportunities of Margo Frankel Woods State Park.
Thack Cavan/alltrails
Walk carefully and look closely at the surroundings in the springtime, because you might be surprised about what lies nearby.
Erin Wickering/alltrails
The afternoon light changes the look of the trail, at various times of the year.
Diana Montoya/alltrails
The Margo Frankel Trail is fairly smooth, although there are some elevation changes.
Chris Burgess/alltrails

The 136-acre property is managed by the Saylor Township, even though it retains the state park name. Many hikers enjoy exploring the side trails that branch from the maintained path. And there’s a lot more to see and do in Des Moines.

 

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Margo Frankel Woods State Park, Des Moines, IA 50313, USA