Iowa's state parks and forests get a lot of deserved attention, but it's easy to forget that the county and urban parks have a lot to offer as well. The Hawkeye State has put a lot of effort into creating beautiful little oases in the middle of some of its biggest cities, and that even goes for the massive urban center of Des Moines. This is where you'll find Easter Lake Park, a popular urban park that recently opened the most accessible recreation area in Iowa. It's been under development for a long time, and around 10 years ago, it opened the Mark C. Ackelson Trail, a beautiful and accessible 4.1-mile trail that takes you around gorgeous Easter Lake. This is a fun, easy lake hike in Des Moines that offers some big surprises - as well as one of the best views in all of Iowa.

The Mark C. Ackelson Trail checks in at 4.1 miles, and this easy boardwalk and paved hike is a great way to get some stunning water views on a brisk day of hiking. Most of the trail is easy to navigate, and you'll encounter only 114 feet of elevation gain.

There are plenty of nice spots along the lake path to sit and have a picnic, with beautiful views and some great lake breezes. As the weather cools down, it's a perfect place to take in the fall air.

There are several amazing surprises along the trail, like one of the smallest covered bridges in the state. It's a little touch of Winterset's charm without ever having to leave Des Moines!

As the leaves start to change, this becomes an amazing spot to catch some fall foliage before it's gone. The path is accessible enough that people with mobility impairments or with small children who need strollers should be able to take it with ease.

It should take a little over an hour to hike the trail - but if you're still here when the sun starts to go down, prepare yourself for a truly amazing show of colors.

Have you hiked the Mark C. Ackelson Trail in Easter Lake Park? Let us know about your visit to this lake hike in Des Moines in the comments section! You can see more pictures of the hike on the AllTrails listing, and make sure to visit the website for Easter Lake Park to learn more about the local amenities. If you're new to hiking, AllTrails Plus is a great tool to have, offering point-by-point directions to help you make your way back to the trailhead, as well as a fun way to keep track of your hiking progress!