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Raccoon River – Gray's Lake Park loop from Valley Junction Park

Raccoon River – Gray's Lake Park loop from Valley Junction Park

Moderate

4.7

(4231)

9,105

riders

Raccoon River – Gray's Lake Park loop from Valley Junction Park

02:33

19.7km

50m

Road cycling

Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 19, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

6.81 km

Gray's Lake beach

Highlight • Beach

This sandy beach at Gray’s Lake is a great spot to pause during or after your hike. Dip your feet in the water, relax on the sand, or even have a quick picnic before finishing the loop around the lake.

Tip by

10.1 km

Raccoon River

Highlight • River

As you make your way over the bridge you will catch views of the Raccoon River, a tributary of the Des Moines River. Stretching over 30.8 miles, this river winds …

Tip by

14.2 km

Gray's Lake Park

Highlight • Lake

Gray's Lake Park has a total size of 166-acres and is located in the heart of Des Moines. The lake of the same name is the park's main feature and …

Tip by

15.1 km

Bill Riley Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Bill Riley Trail is a 2.7-mile paved pathway that winds through wooded areas, including Ashworth Park, and crosses the Raccoon River via a rustic trestle bridge. The trail is …

Tip by

19.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.4 km

7.43 km

1.80 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.52 km

6.65 km

5.57 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Friday 22 May

20°C

11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Raccoon River – Gray's Lake Park loop from Valley Junction Park

Gray's Lake beach

Raccoon River

Gray's Lake Park

Bill Riley Trail

Nearby routes

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