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Best boat ramps near West Des Moines

34 boat ramps · 34 ranked · updated 2026-11-11 · off-season

Explore the best boat ramps near West Des Moines, Iowa — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.

Showing the top 15 of 34 boat ramps · best 15 shown on the map
B⛰
Badger Creek Recreation Area
#1 Badger Creek Recreation Area
10.2 mi away
Badger Creek Recreation Area is a public boat launch on Badger Creek East in Madison County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
S⛰
Saylorville Marina Access
#2 Saylorville Marina Access
14.1 mi away
Saylorville Marina Access is a public boat launch on Big Creek - Saylorville Lake in Polk County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
K⛰
Kinnick-Feller Riverside Park
#3 Kinnick-Feller Riverside Park
15.1 mi away
Kinnick-Feller Riverside Park is a public boat launch on North Raccoon River in Dallas County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
H⛰
Highway 44 Access
#4 Highway 44 Access
17.6 mi away
Highway 44 Access is a public boat launch on North Raccoon River in Dallas County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and buoys…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
B⛰
Big Creek Wildlife Area
#5 Big Creek Wildlife Area
18.4 mi away
Big Creek Wildlife Area is a public boat launch on Little Creek in Polk County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and buoys…
Why 55: public ramp & water access
55Solid
D⛰
Des Moines Water Works Park
#6 Des Moines Water Works Park Good
4.7 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Raccoon River At Fleur Drive· Cold - 40 F· Clear · 40°F · 5 mph wind
Des Moines Water Works Park is a public boat launch on North Raccoon River in Polk County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and…
Why 46: live conditions (good)
46Rated
P⛰
Puckerbrush Access
#7 Puckerbrush Access Good
10.8 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Raccoon River At Van Meter· Cold - 39 F· Mostly Clear · 39°F · 5 mph wind
Puckerbrush Access is a public boat launch on North Raccoon River in Dallas County, Iowa. Snoflo tracks live launch conditions here from the nearest streamflow gauge and buoys…
Why 46: live conditions (good)
46Rated
R⛰
Raccoon River Park Trail West Des Moines
#8 Raccoon River Park Trail West Des Moines Good
0.5 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Raccoon River At 63Rd Street At Des Moines· Cold - 42 F· Mostly Clear · 42°F · 6 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
W⛰
Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
#9 Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines Good
1.0 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Raccoon River Near West Des Moines· Cold - 42 F· Mostly Clear · 42°F · 7 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
K⛰
Kruidenier Trail Des Moines
#10 Kruidenier Trail Des Moines Good
5.4 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Raccoon River At Fleur Drive· Cold - 42 F· Mostly Clear · 42°F · 6 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
P⛰
Prospect Road Des Moines
#11 Prospect Road Des Moines Good
7.2 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Des Moines River At 2Nd Avenue· Cold - 42 F· Mostly Clear · 42°F · 6 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
B⛰
Birdland Park Boat Launch
#12 Birdland Park Boat Launch Good
8.0 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Des Moines River At 2Nd Avenue· Cold - 42 F· Mostly Clear · 42°F · 6 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
N⛰
Northwest 70th Avenue Johnston
#13 Northwest 70th Avenue Johnston Good
9.3 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Beaver Creek Near Grimes· Cold - 42 F· Mostly Clear · 42°F · 7 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
N⛰
Neal Smith Trail Polk County
#14 Neal Smith Trail Polk County Good
9.7 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Des Moines River Near Saylorville· Cold - 42 F· Partly Cloudy · 42°F · 7 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated
J⛰
Johnston
#15 Johnston Good
10.7 mi away
· Streamflow nearby - Des Moines River Near Saylorville· Cold - 42 F· Partly Cloudy · 42°F · 7 mph wind
Why 42: live conditions (good)
42Rated

Boat Ramps near West Des Moines

The West Des Moines area has 34 boat ramps on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.

How we rank the best boat ramps near West Des Moines

How are these boat ramps ranked?

Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.

How often does it update?

Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.

What do the numbers on the map mean?

Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.

More boat ramps in Iowa

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