Des Moines, Iowa Metropolitan Area Local whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information. Although Des Moines, Iowa is not a place known for great whitewater paddling there still is some at a reasonable distance. The whitewater stretches nearby are listed below for your convenience. All the whitewater is pretty far away as you can see so you'd better plan for a long drive. If you pick the right whitewater spot you will have a great trip. HIGH QUALITY TOPO MAP, CLICK HERE Important Whitewater Safety Information Whitewater paddling spots near Des Moines, Iowa: Whitewater 0 to 25 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Raccoon River, Iowa, Walnut Woods SP Ledges, 2 miles away, class I-II, 0.1 miles long. Whitewater 25 to 50 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Boone River, Iowa, Park and Play, 42 miles away, class I(II), 0.5 miles long. Briggs Woods Spillway - Ditch 166, Iowa, Webster City, 44 miles away, class II-III+, 0.3 miles long. Raccoon River, Iowa, Henderson Park, 49 miles away, class I-II, 0.01 miles long. Whitewater 50 to 75 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines River, Iowa, Breens, 59 miles away, class III, 0.1 miles long. Lizard Creek - SouthBr., Iowa, D22 to mouth, 60 miles away, class I-II, 12 miles long. Soldiers Creek, Iowa, park to mouth, 57 miles away, class I-II, 1 miles long. South Fabius River, Missouri, Hester Wildlife Area to Highway 61, 75 miles away, class I-II(III), 0 miles long. Whitewater 75 to 100 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Winnebago River, Iowa, East Park to Wren Avenue, 89 miles away, class I-II, 10 miles long. Whitewater 100 to 125 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Cedar River, Iowa, Cedar Falls, 102 miles away, class II, 0.05 miles long. Whitewater 125 to 150 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Whitewater 150 to 175 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Cedar River, Iowa, Kepler State Park, 155 miles away, class III, 0.1 miles long. Kansas River, Kansas, Close to Lawrence, 174 miles away, class II, 0.1 miles long. Kansas River, Kansas, Playspot Below I-435 Bridge, 154 miles away, class II, 0.1 miles long. Vermilion River, Minnesota, Falls to Old Mill in Hastings, 167 miles away, class II-III+, 0.5 miles long. Blue River, Missouri, Blue Ridge Road to Red Bridge Road, 155 miles away, class I(II), 3 miles long. Hinkson Creek, Missouri, Hinkson Creek Road to Reactor Field, 172 miles away, class I-II, 10.75 miles long. Whitewater 175 to 200 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Bear Creek, Illinois, CR900E to Highway 96, 182 miles away, class I-II, 4.5 miles long. Cedar Creek, Illinois, Parker Heights Entrance at 5th St to Bob Bangart Park, 182 miles away, class II-IV, 1 miles long. Fall Creek, Illinois, End of Gorge Trail to Parking Lot, 194 miles away, class I-IV, 2 miles long. Mississippi River, Minnesota, Sauk Rapids, 196 miles away, class II(III), 0.1 miles long. Sauk River, Minnesota, Highway of Park to Mississippi River, 196 miles away, class I-II, 4.1 miles long. North River, Missouri, Mo. County Road 530 to Highway 61 bridge, 176 miles away, class I(II), 17 miles long. Apple River, Wisconsin, Somerset, 188 miles away, class I-II, 2 miles long. * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the middle of the river section listed, actual driving distance is longer. Other Outdoors Recreation Nearby: Ski Resorts near Des Moines, Iowa: Ski Areas 0 to 50 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Seven Oaks, Iowa, 27 miles, vertical drop 275 feet Ski Areas 50 to 100 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Ski Areas 100 to 150 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Mount Kato, Minnesota, 129 miles, vertical drop 240 feet Ski Areas 150 to 200 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Trollhaugen, Wisconsin, 199 miles, vertical drop 260 feet Afton Alps, Minnesota, 167 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Welch Village, Minnesota, 168 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Buck Hill, Minnesota, 158 miles, vertical drop 309 feet Powder Ridge, Minnesota, 188 miles, vertical drop 290 feet Hyland Ski, Minnesota, 161 miles, vertical drop 175 feet Ski Areas 200 to 250 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Sundown Mountain, Michigan, 212 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Mount La Crosse, Wisconsin, 206 miles, vertical drop 516 feet Wild Mountain, Minnesota, 200 miles, vertical drop 300 feet Andes Tower Hill, Minnesota, 246 miles, vertical drop 290 feet Chestnut Mountain, Illinois, 237 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Ski Snowstar, Illinois, 208 miles, vertical drop 262 feet * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the ski areas listed, actual driving distance is longer. National Parks near Des Moines, Iowa: National Parks 100 to 200 miles from Des Moines, Iowa Effigy Mounds National Monument, 197 miles Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 152 miles Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, 172 miles National Parks 200 to 300 miles from Des Moines, Iowa George Washington Carver National Monument, 266 miles Homestead National Monument of America, 218 miles Missouri National River & Recreation Area, 261 miles Pipestone National Monument, 215 miles Saint Croix National Scenic River, 201 miles Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 260 miles * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the parks listed, actual driving distance is longer. Important Outdoors Safety Information       Go to Iowa Rivers