Ames Parks Guide

Trails, ponds, playgrounds, and shade. Where to go when you need to be outside for an hour.

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A calmer local guide to where to go outside in Ames: lake loops, picnic lawns, and the best excuse to leave campus for an hour.

The parks

Ada Hayden Heritage Park

Ames's go-to reset button. Around 190 acres centered on an 83-acre lake, with a 2.8-mile outside loop. Best for walks, bike rides, sunsets, and pretending you're suddenly an outdoors person.

Inis Grove Park

A very social park. Home to the Barnes Family Inclusive Playground, the Miracle Field, trails, tennis courts with pickleball lines, sand volleyball, and a full basketball court.

Brookside Park

A classic shady city park. Great for picnic blankets, easy walks, and low-effort fresh air when you need a study break.

Emma McCarthy Lee Park

The sporty option, known for its pickleball and tennis courts, shelters, and plenty of room to spread out with friends.

Bandshell Park

Ames's oldest park and a good one for summer concert energy, easy evenings, and a real community feel.

Moore Memorial Park

Around 90 acres with a photogenic pond, trails, and a quiet-reset feeling that makes campus seem far away.

What to do

Walk or bike the Ada Hayden loop.
Pack a blanket and picnic at Brookside.
Play pickleball at Emma McCarthy Lee.
Catch a summer concert at Bandshell Park.
Bring friends to Inis Grove for courts, playgrounds, and shade.
Take photos or decompress at Moore Memorial Park.

Best for…

Best sunset: Ada Hayden
Best group hang: Inis Grove
Best picnic: Brookside
Best active afternoon: Emma McCarthy Lee
Best summer evening: Bandshell Park
Best quiet reset: Moore Memorial Park

Quick practical tips

Getting around: Walking, biking, and CyRide handle most park trips; a few are easier with a ride.
Budget: Mostly free. Realistically $0–$10 once you add snacks or coffee.
Best timing: Late spring through fall is prime. Sunset at Ada Hayden and summer nights at Bandshell are especially good.
Mistakes to avoid: Forgetting bug spray, underestimating the wind by the lake, and assuming you'll only stay 20 minutes.
Good to know: Ames Parks & Recreation manages 40+ parks and recreation spaces across the city.

Come for the lake loops, stay for the sunset, the pickleball, and the suspiciously restorative picnic.

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