Nestled within Polk City just north of Des Moines, Big Creek State Park is one of our favorite Iowa destinations. This impressive park is home to a gorgeous little lake — Big Creek Lake — as well as hiking and cross-country skiing trails, bike paths, a swimming beach, more than a dozen picnic shelters, fishing, and boating. And while all of these activities make Big Creek State Park worth a visit, today, we’re talking about our favorite feature: an amazing castle playground that provides plenty of good, old-fashioned fun for kids of all ages.

Situated right on the lake and featuring a large wooden playground built in the classic castle style, Big Creek might just be the most unique playground in all of Iowa.
Maydy/TripAdvisor
This breathtaking wooden castle playground will undoubtedly transport you to the pages of your favorite childhood fairytale. Children — and kids at heart — will love pretending they are princes and princesses, knights and jesters. This is one Iowa playground where you can really let your imagination run wild.
Daniel Carver/Google

Related Stories

There Are More Than 350 Historic Buildings In This Special Iowa Town

There Are More Than 350 Historic Buildings In This Special Iowa Town

 The Little Known Swinging Bridge That Shows Off Some Of The Best Views In Iowa

The Little Known Swinging Bridge That Shows Off Some Of The Best Views In Iowa

 8 Undeniable Reasons To Visit The Longest Covered Bridge In Iowa

8 Undeniable Reasons To Visit The Longest Covered Bridge In Iowa
Kids can also hang from monkey bars, walk across balance beams, bounce from huge tires, and climb up castle towers only to slide down them and repeat.
Daniel Carver/Google
Did we mention the playground's proximity to this gorgeous swimming beach perfect for cooling off on those hot summer days? You could easily spend all day here without getting bored.
Daniel Carver/Google
There are even benches and tables scattered across the park from which to enjoy a small snack or picnic lunch!
Whether you — or your child — prefers running around on a jungle gym, swinging for what feels like hours on end, or hitting the slides over and over again, this playground in Big Creek State Park is truly the place to be.
Rajeev Deshpande/Google

Have you ever visited this fairytale playground in Big Creek State Park before? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then click here to discover our favorite indoor playground in Iowa — it’s perfect for rainy and cold days!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Iowa