Puget Sound · Washington
Parks & Recreation in Des Moines: Trails, Facilities & Outdoor Life (2026)
Most people researching Des Moines, Washington focus on the marina — and the marina deserves the attention. But the outdoor infrastructure here runs deeper than one famous waterfront. Des Moines sits on six miles of Puget Sound shoreline, contains one of the only underwater artificial reefs in the Washington State Parks system, and threads a four-mile paved creek trail through forested ravines all the way from SeaTac to the water. For a city of 33,000 people, that's a lot of outdoor real estate.
What shapes the parks experience here is geography. The city cascades down from higher ground toward the Sound, which means most of the marquee outdoor assets — the beach park, the marina, Saltwater State Park — are clustered near the water, while inland neighborhoods rely on field parks and trail connections to reach them. The 2025 reorganization of city services into a single Community Enrichment Services department consolidated parks, recreation, senior services, and events administration under one roof, making program access simpler for residents.
This guide covers the five most-used parks in detail, the Des Moines Creek Trail corridor, recreation facilities, and where to go when you're ready to push beyond city limits.
| Park | Highlights | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Saltwater State Park | 137 acres, 1,445 ft saltwater shoreline, underwater reef, tide pools | Scuba diving, beach days, nature walks |
| Des Moines Beach Park | 19.6 acres, historic district, event center, marina access | Families, events, casual waterfront walks |
| Des Moines Marina | 840-slip marina, fishing pier, farmers market, breakwater walk | Anglers, boaters, Saturday market visitors |
| Field House Park | Full-log cabin landmark, pickleball/tennis, skate park, 2024 playground | Kids, skaters, picnic gatherings |
| Steven J. Underwood Memorial Park | 20+ acres, three ballfields, paved walking trails, senior center access | Youth sports leagues, walkers, families |
| Des Moines Creek Trail | 4-mile paved trail, forested ravine, connects to marina | Runners, cyclists, dog walkers |
| Zenith Holland Nursery | Acre-plus grounds, 11 greenhouses, oldest business in Des Moines | Garden enthusiasts, casual exploration |
| Redondo Beach Area | Boardwalk, Sound views, fishing access | Strolls, fishing, sunset watching |
Location: 25205 8th Pl S, Des Moines, WA 98198
With 350,000 annual visitors, Saltwater State Park is the city's most-visited outdoor asset — and one of the most distinctive marine parks in the Pacific Northwest. The park's signature feature is its underwater artificial reef, the only one in the Washington State Parks system, where scuba divers encounter sea stars, urchins, rockfish, and ling cod in a designated Marine Protected Area. Above water, sandy swimming beaches, rocky tideflats, forested trails along salmon-spawning McSorley Creek, volleyball courts, and picnic areas with two reservable shelters keep day visitors busy from the Memorial Day weekend snack shack opening through Labor Day. One important note for 2026: the campground remains closed due to flooding and erosion impacts, with no reopening date announced — day-use areas stay open year-round from 8:00 a.m. to dusk with a Discover Pass required.
Best for: Scuba divers, beach families, nature hikers, and anyone who wants a legitimate saltwater experience within city limits.
Location: 22300 Dock Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198
This 19.6-acre waterfront park traces its history to its days as Covenant Beach Bible Camp, and the historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places — which makes it feel more like a destination than a neighborhood park. The Activity Center at the south end of the property offers 5,448 square feet of event space and sits adjacent to beach access and marina views. Weekend visitors tend to use it as a launching pad — a walk along the waterfront path, a stop at the marina farmers market on Saturday mornings, and a loop back through the historic structures.
Best for: Weekend walks, event rentals, and families who want beach access without driving to Saltwater State Park.
Location: 22307 Dock Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198
The marina has anchored Des Moines's identity since it opened in 1970, and the 840-slip facility backed by a 2,200-foot breakwater remains the city's most recognizable landmark. The fishing pier — built over an artificial reef constructed with the guidance of Jean-Michel Cousteau — draws squid jiggers on summer nights and casual anglers year-round. The Saturday Farmers Market runs seasonally in the parking area, the fuel dock and wine bar serve the boating community, and the breakwater walk delivers unobstructed Sound views on clear days. ADA-accessible throughout.
Best for: Boaters, anglers, farmers market shoppers, and anyone who wants Puget Sound access on foot.
Location: 1000 S 220th St, Des Moines, WA 98198
The centerpiece of this park is a full-log cabin completed in 1939 as part of Depression-era federal work programs — the only structure of its kind in Washington State and a King County Historic Landmark. Surrounding the cabin: tennis courts lined for pickleball, two baseball fields, grassy soccer areas, a concrete skate park, and a playground that received a complete overhaul in 2024. The adjacent Activity Center handles program registration and facility rentals for residents who need in-person assistance.
Best for: Families with kids, pickleball players, skaters, and residents who want a central multi-use park within easy reach of the residential core.
Location: 21800 20th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198
At over 20 acres, Underwood Memorial is the city's primary youth sports hub, with three rentable ballfields used for spring and summer leagues and tournaments. A baseball-themed playground with a shade sail anchors the family-friendly west side, and a network of paved walking trails connects through to the adjacent Senior Activity Center. The park sits in the Central Des Moines corridor near Mt. Rainier High School, making it the natural gathering point for the North Hill neighborhood's athletic families.
Best for: Youth baseball families, walkers connected to the Senior Center, and residents in the central neighborhood corridor.
The Des Moines Creek Trail is four miles of wide, paved path through a forested ravine — one of the genuinely pleasant surprises for new residents. The trail begins near the city of SeaTac and drops roughly 246 feet in elevation as it follows the creek south through second-growth timber before reaching the marina parking lot at the waterfront. It's rated easy, takes most walkers about 90 minutes end-to-end, and stays open year-round for running, cycling, and dog walking.
A few things worth knowing before your first trip: the northern trailhead near S 200th Street sits directly under the SeaTac flight path, so aircraft noise is real during busy departure windows. A short segment passes the Midway Sewer District facility — reviewers consistently note occasional odor in that stretch. And just west of the northern trailhead, a separate network of informal paths is used by mountain bikers looking for something off the main paved corridor. The trail can be extended at the southern end to include a loop through the historic Beach Park district and out to the public fishing pier.
The city's primary recreation facility is the Des Moines Activity Center at 2045 S. 216th Street, which took over walk-in public services after the Field House transitioned away from general access in May 2025. The Activity Center handles program registration, facility rentals, and in-person inquiries for the full Community Enrichment Services portfolio — weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The campus at 1000 S 220th Street, which includes Field House Park, also hosts the bulk of outdoor programming and seasonal events. Des Moines does not operate a standalone public aquatic center; residents seeking lap pools and aquatic fitness programs typically use the Highline Recreation Center in Burien or the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
Homes near Des Moines's parks and trail systems consistently hold their value well, and that pattern shows up clearly in neighborhoods like the Marina District, Woodmont, and North Hill. Buyers who prioritize walkable access to green space, the waterfront trail corridor, and recreational facilities tend to find that their neighbors feel the same way — which means well-positioned homes under $750,000 often receive multiple offers within days of hitting the market. Proximity to parks isn't just a lifestyle perk here; it's a factor that tends to support long-term equity.
That said, falling in love with a home before understanding your full monthly obligation is a situation I see cause real stress. Your actual payment includes property taxes, homeowner's insurance, any HOA dues, and your specific loan structure — and that number can look meaningfully different from what an online calculator suggests. I'd rather help you build a comfortable budget than hand you a maximum approval number and send you out the door. When the right home in Woodmont or the Marina District moves fast, being already prepared means you can act with confidence instead of scrambling.
| Destination | Distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way | ~15 min | Olympic-size pool, diving platforms, wave pool |
| Dash Point State Park | ~20 min | Old-growth forest, saltwater beach, camping |
| Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park | ~30 min | 3,100+ acres, 36 miles of trails, coal mine history |
| Tiger Mountain State Forest | ~35 min | Mountain biking, hiking, paragliding |
| Rattlesnake Ledge Trail | ~40 min | High-reward waterfront views, popular weekend hike |
| Federal Way Sportsfields / West Hylebos Wetlands | ~15 min | Wetlands boardwalk, quiet birding, native habitat |
| SeaTac Environmental Learning Center | ~10 min | Restored wetlands, educational trails, quick urban escape |
Local Expert Takeaway: The Des Moines Creek Trail is the most underused asset in this city's outdoor portfolio — and it matters for buyers because the homes closest to the trail access points in the Beach Park and Marina District corridors offer a walkable outdoor lifestyle that's genuinely rare at the $560,000 price point. If you're comparing Des Moines to Burien or Normandy Park, factor in that trail-to-waterfront connection as a quality-of-life variable that doesn't show up in a spreadsheet.
Does Des Moines have good parks and outdoor recreation?
Yes — especially for a city its size. The combination of Saltwater State Park, six miles of Puget Sound shoreline, the Des Moines Creek Trail, and a full-service marina gives Des Moines an outdoor amenity profile that rivals cities twice its population. Where it's thinner is inland green space and aquatic facilities.
Is Saltwater State Park worth visiting if you're not camping?
Absolutely. The campground is closed for 2026 due to flooding impacts, but the day-use areas are open year-round from 8 a.m. to dusk. The swimming beach, tide pools, scuba reef, and McSorley Creek trail loop make it a full day-use destination on its own — bring a Discover Pass.
How does Des Moines compare to nearby cities for parks and outdoor life?
Des Moines has a stronger waterfront park system than Burien or Kent, anchored by Saltwater State Park and the marina district. Federal Way offers more indoor recreation infrastructure, including the King County Aquatic Center. For trail-based outdoor access, Des Moines's creek-to-shoreline corridor is among the better connected systems in South King County.
Explore the full Des Moines series: The Ultimate Des Moines Relocation Guide · Is Des Moines Safe? · Cost of Living in Des Moines · Best Neighborhoods in Des Moines · Des Moines Schools & Family Life · Des Moines Youth Sports · Des Moines Parks & Recreation · Retiring in Des Moines · 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchange in Des Moines · Des Moines First-Time Homebuyers Guide · Des Moines Down Payment Assistance Guide · Moving to Des Moines from California