Gardens with a checked street address within 50 straight-line miles of the U.S. Census reference point for Des Moines, Iowa. Each result shows its own town; being on this page does not mean a garden is inside Des Moines city limits. Distances are straight-line, not driving.
Within 50 miles of central Des Moines. Checked September 28, 2026.
City park in Indianola with an arboretum, formal and butterfly gardens and a children's garden. A printed self-guided tree tour is kept in a display case near the gazebo.
Accessible-gardening demonstration garden in Altoona with raised beds, vertical wall gardens, a water feature, a rain garden and a children's garden. Run by Master Gardeners.
A 5-acre county park arboretum near Perry with over 100 species of mostly native trees and shrubs, next to a free museum. The park grounds are open year-round.
Downtown Des Moines garden with a domed tropical conservatory, 12 acres of gardens and trails, and a bonsai collection. Hours change by season and it is closed Mondays.
A community-supported public garden near Madrid with tree groves, woodland and prairie trails and a treehouse village. Paid admission; members enter free.
Nonprofit public garden and arboretum in Newton, Iowa with several garden landscapes and trails. Entry is free and the grounds open daily from sunrise to sunset.
A university garden in Ames with formal and home-demonstration gardens and a butterfly wing. Parking is free during open hours.
A tree arboretum near Dallas Center with walking trails and a nature play area. Entry is free and dogs need a pass.
These are gardens we could check against their own official websites, not every garden in the area. “Free” refers to general garden entry, not parking, tours or special events. We do not show live opening status.
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