Macrae Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

MacRae Park is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.


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Summary

The park covers an area of 93 acres and offers a range of attractions and activities.

One of the main reasons to visit MacRae Park is its beautiful scenery. The park offers stunning views of downtown Des Moines and the Des Moines River. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and a playground for kids.

Another popular attraction in MacRae Park is its botanical garden, which features a variety of plant species native to Iowa. The garden is a great place to relax and take in the natural beauty of the area.

For those interested in history, the park also features a historic mansion called the MacRae House. The house was built in the early 1900s and is now open for tours.

Visitors to MacRae Park can also enjoy a range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and birdwatching. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.

The best time of year to visit MacRae Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the gardens are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers something for visitors in every season.

Overall, MacRae Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Iowa and learn about its history and culture.

       

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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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