Ashworth Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ashworth Park is a 90-acre park located in the city of West Des Moines, Iowa.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its beautiful natural surroundings and numerous recreational opportunities. The park features several trails for hiking, biking, and running, as well as facilities for fishing, boating, and picnicking.

One of the main attractions of Ashworth Park is Lake Ashworth, a 20-acre lake that offers excellent fishing opportunities. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish, including bass, catfish, and bluegill. Visitors can rent boats and kayaks to explore the lake, or simply enjoy a relaxing day of fishing or picnicking.

Another popular attraction in Ashworth Park is the West Des Moines Dog Park, a spacious off-leash area for dogs to play and socialize. The dog park features separate areas for small and large dogs, as well as water fountains and waste stations.

Other points of interest in Ashworth Park include a playground, several picnic shelters, and a disc golf course. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of birds.

The best time to visit Ashworth Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. The park is open year-round, however, and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year.

Overall, Ashworth Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the beauty of Iowa's natural landscapes, engage in outdoor activities, or simply relax and unwind in a peaceful setting.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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