Jester Park

Two boat ramps, three ponds, golf course, equestrian center, picnic shelters, playground, modern and primitive campgrounds, four modern rental cabins, hiking, natural playscape, elk and bison wildlife exhibit. New in 2018 was the opening of the Jester Park Nature Center (open 7 days per week). Jester Park has been one of central Iowa's favorite outdoor playgrounds since 1958. This 1,675-acre park on the western shore of Saylorville Lake offers camping, picnicking, and golfing in a quiet country setting just a half-hour from downtown Des Moines. This Polk County Conservation Board park stretches from the Hwy 17 bridge north of Granger to the Mile-Long Bridge that crosses Saylorville Lake to Polk City. No other location in central Iowa offers such a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Jester Park is easily reached by taking exit 127 off I-80 and I-35 and traveling 6.5 miles west on Hwy 141. Summer hours are from 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.; winter hours are from sunrise to sunset.