Jester Park Nature Center

Jester Park Nature Center Managed by Polk County Conservation, the Jester Park Nature Center is one of Iowa's leading nature centers.

09/15/2026

Discover quiet wild moments this autumn
“Quiet Wild,” a Galleries Show from Grant Webster of Indianola, Iowa, is now open at Jester Park Nature Center. Specializing in wildlife and landscape photography, Webster’s work reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world, blending patience, precision, and artistry to capture quiet beauty outdoors.
The short video below offers a quick look at the colors and scenes waiting in the exhibit. If you’re looking for a gentle place to enjoy local art and connect with nature, this show offers an easy starting point.

🚧 Trail washout warning: The hiking trail to the east of the Natural Playscape at Jester Park has been washed out around...
09/12/2026

🚧 Trail washout warning: The hiking trail to the east of the Natural Playscape at Jester Park has been washed out around the creek. In several spots, hikers are unable to cross. These trail sections will be closed most of the fall while repairs are executed.

🗺️ There are still many miles of stable nature trails around the park. Check out the park map online to find trailheads where you can start a hike!

https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/media/bomhnv3c/jesterparkmapfinal.pdf

09/08/2026

Exciting news at Jester Park!

Bright new NaviLens codes are now posted throughout the Nature Center, making the park more accessible and easier to explore than ever before. Just scan the colorful squares with the "NaviLens GO" app to access interactive maps, fun facts, and instant translations into your preferred language.

Visitors with visual impairments can use the "NaviLens" app for spatial audio cues, exhibit text read aloud, and effortless navigation—no precise camera aiming needed. The app can scan the vibrant squares from up to 50 feet away, even in low light!

A more inclusive adventure awaits at Jester Park—come explore with us! 🌿

Both the "NaviLens" and "NaviLens GO" apps are FREE and available offline after download.

🌟 Happy Labor Day! 🌟Celebrate the long weekend at the Jester Park Nature Center and the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness ...
09/07/2026

🌟 Happy Labor Day! 🌟

Celebrate the long weekend at the Jester Park Nature Center and the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center! Enjoy a day filled with exploring our interactive exhibits, hiking the scenic trails, or challenging yourself on the bouldering wall. Ready to hit the water? You can rent paddling equipment right at the ORWC—and don't forget to treat yourself to some ice cream while you're there! 🍦🧗‍♂️🚣‍♀️

Don’t miss out on the chance to relax, unwind, and appreciate nature together! 🌼🌞

See you there!

Our Environmental Education staff spent some time over at the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center this week preparing...
08/29/2026

Our Environmental Education staff spent some time over at the Outdoor Recreation and Wellness Center this week preparing the bouldering wall for a route reset!

During this process each hold is removed, cleaned, sanitized, and set out so that our friends at Climb Iowa can rework our wall to keep all of our climbers on their toes!

Stop by this weekend to try out our new routes, and don't forget to snag some Picket Fence Creamery ice cream or our newest concession item: canned soda + water! Check out our hours and pricing below.

Fall Hours
Saturday | 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday | 12 PM - 4 PM

Concessions
Ice Cream | $3/cup
Canned Soda/Water | $1/can

For more information about our paddling rental availabilities and other indoor activity offerings visit our website: https://www.jesterparknaturecenter.com/outdoor-recreation-wellness-center/

🎒 Backpacks are packed and the school bells are ringing! Big luck to all the kiddos, parents, and teachers heading back ...
08/25/2026

🎒 Backpacks are packed and the school bells are ringing! Big luck to all the kiddos, parents, and teachers heading back to the classroom this week. You’ve got this!

With schedules shifting, the Jester Park Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center is officially moving to Fall & Winter Hours. Weekend adventures are still wide open—come burn off that extra after-school energy with us on Saturdays and Sundays!

🍁 Our Fall/Winter Hours:
⏰ Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
⏰ Sundays: Noon – 4:00 p.m.

Whether you're hitting the indoor bouldering wall or renting a canoe for a weekend reset, we're here to help the whole family recharge. Have a fantastic start to the school year, and we'll see you this weekend!

If you're headed out to the Nature Center this week, don't forget to stop by the Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center!Th...
08/20/2026

If you're headed out to the Nature Center this week, don't forget to stop by the Outdoor Recreation & Wellness Center!
This is their last week of weekday hours:
- Thursday | 10 AM - 4 PM
- Friday | 10 AM - 4 PM

They transition into their fall hours next week:
- Saturday | 10 AM - 4 PM
- Sunday | Noon - 4 PM

The ORWC offers bouldering (ages 4+), archery (ages 10+), paddling rentals and ice cream! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3KMkmIV

Join the Jester Park Lodge at the Des Moines Wedding Show on Sunday, August 30! 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Scottish Rite...
08/20/2026

Join the Jester Park Lodge at the Des Moines Wedding Show on Sunday, August 30!

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Scottish Rite Consistory, Downtown Des Moines

For tickets and more info: www.desmoinesweddingshow.com

Plan to spend the day, planning your special day!

🌅 It’s hard to believe, but the grand finale is already here! 🌅Get ready to soak in the tunes one last time, because the...
08/18/2026

🌅 It’s hard to believe, but the grand finale is already here! 🌅

Get ready to soak in the tunes one last time, because the final Prairie Stomp Summer Music Series concert of the season is happening this week! We’ve had an incredible summer of live music and community under the open sky, and we want to go out with a bang. 🎸✨

Join us for a fantastic evening featuring the sounds of Joshua Sinclair! 🎶

Grab your friends, family, lawn chairs, and picnic blankets, and let's give this summer the send-off it deserves!

👇 Here are the details:

📅 When: Thursday, August 20, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
📍 Where: Jester Park Nature Center
🍔 Food & Drink: Bring your own! Picket Fence Ice Cream will be
available for purchase
🎟️ Admission: FREE

Let’s make this last stomp the best one yet. See you out on the back patio! 🤠🌾

This month for Women in the Woods with Wine, we are going back to basics as we play with sticks! After a refreshing walk...
08/14/2026

This month for Women in the Woods with Wine, we are going back to basics as we play with sticks!

After a refreshing walk, each participant will decorate a custom hiking stick. This program is for women ages 21+ who are interested in getting outside and becoming more comfortable and knowledgeable about the natural world as you unwind and have fun.

This program is $15/person and registration is required by August 16th: https://secure.rec1.com/IA/polk-county-ia/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQyMDgyNTg=

Address

12130 NW 128th Street
Granger, IA
50109

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15153235350

Website

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