Johnston: Discover Trails, the Lake, and Culture

Johnston offers specific options for different interests: park and trail experiences, fishing, access to a water trail, museums, and seasonal events. If you’re looking for a hotel, the focus of your itinerary can help you plan your days. The options range from an expansive park area to individual cultural attractions and events.

Parkland and Trails

Terra Lake Park covers more than 200 acres and includes an eight-acre fishing lake. The lake is stocked with mature largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish. The area figures distinguish the entire park from the fishing lake within it: the lake is the specific fishing focus within the larger area. Hiking and biking trails wind around the lake and through Terra Park. They have soft and firm surfaces, so the surface is another feature of this trail network, alongside its route.

Johnston has more than 45 miles of trails. One specific option is Ray Schleihs Park, where an ADA-accessible trail for walking and biking runs along the Johnston Interurban Trail. The same park also has a train-themed playground. The park thus combines a named trail with a play area featuring a distinctive train theme.

Water Access and Disc Golf

Johnston’s first access point to the Beaver Creek Water Trail opened on August 20, 2019. The access point on NW 70th Avenue is east of NW 86th Street and provides a place to carry boats down to the water. Both the location on the road and the specific boat access point are provided for orientation.

A nine-hole disc golf course was installed at Lew Clarkson Park in late summer 2022, south of the concession stand near the woods. This description locates the course within the park. If you plan to visit during your stay, check its current availability in advance.

Museums and History

The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum honors Iowa’s veterans and displays materials on the state’s military history from its founding to the present day. Iowa’s military history is the focus, spanning the period from the state’s founding through today.

The 1902 Simpson House Museum is associated with the Johnston Historical Society. Public visits are available during events and by appointment; arrange a planned visit in advance. The visiting requirements make scheduling an appointment ahead of time an important part of planning.

Seasonal Events and Market

The Kites on the Green Celebration is held at Johnston Commons every year on the first Saturday in May. During the peak growing season, the Johnston Farmers Market offers fruits and vegetables, art, garden art, crafts, and honey, as well as music, barbecue, or a food truck. The events have different schedules: a day in May is specified each year for the Celebration, while the market offerings are tied to the peak growing season. The idea for the Johnston Farmers Market originated on June 13, 1989.

These themes can help you plan your days around a specific reason to visit, such as a park or trail outing, an interest in military history, or a seasonal event. Check the event date when planning for the Celebration, and arrange a visit to the Simpson House Museum in advance.

Discover more destinations: West Des Moines, Des Moines, Ankeny, Clive, Grimes, Urbandale

For the main travel overview: Polk.