The Directory
Kid friendly businesses, organizations and services in the Des Moines area.
Whether you live in Ankeny, Altoona, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines or beyond, find the local resources your family needs in in the dsm4kids Directory!
While all submissions are considered, inclusion in the Directory is based on relevance. Businesses or organizations outside of Central Iowa or primarily geared toward adults may not be listed.
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A 115-acre man-made lake has a large sandy beach and offers unsupervised swimming. Boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rent through the concessionaire. Bait is also available through the concessionaire.
A modern boat ramp is located at the northern end of the park. Another ramp is located in the campground. Lake Ahquabi is popular with anglers. A number of fishing jetties and a handicapped accessible fishing pier provide great places for a day of shoreline fishing.
"Ahquabi" is a Sauk and Fox word meaning "resting place," and it is a fitting name for this scenic 770-acre park. The park site was recommended by "Ding" Darling, nationally known Iowa political cartoonist and conservationist, and was dedicated in 1936. Many of its structures were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's and remain available for the enjoyment of park visitors.
Within park
Bait, Beach, Bicycling, Bird Watching, Boat Launch Ramp, Boat Rental, Boating, Camping - Electric, Camping - Nonelectric, Camping - Youth Group, Canoeing, Concession, Cross Country Skiing, Day-use Lodge, Dock, Fishing, Dump Station, Firewood Sales, Fish Cleaning Station, Fishing, Hiking, Horseshoe Pits, Jogging/Running, Kayak Rental, Kayaking, Modern Campground, Mountain Biking, Paddle Boat Rental, Paddle Boating, Park Lake, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter, Pier, Fishing, Playground, Restrooms, Retail, Firewood, Retail, Ice, Retail, Snacks, Showers, Snowmobiling, Swimming - Beach, Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Trails, Hiking, Trails, Mountain Bike, Trails, Snowmobile, Water Hydrants , Wildflower Viewing, Wildlife Viewing