Polk district, Iowa, United States

Places to visit near Grimes

Grimes is a town in Polk district, Iowa, United States, home to about 10,676 people. Within 50 km by road there are 260 places to visit — 127 forts & heritage, 48 churches, 26 parks and 15 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Saylorville Lake Project (10 km), Big Creek Schoolhouse (14 km) and High Trestle Trail (16 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Grimes on the map

Grimes, Iowa
Grimes, Polk district, Iowa, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Grimes at a glance

Location
Polk district, Iowa, United States
Population
about 10,676
Coordinates
41.6883° N, 93.7911° W
Places within 50 km
260 (39 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches and parks

Top places to visit near Grimes

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Grimes: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Grimes, by type

Forts & heritage near Grimes

127 forts & heritage within 100 km of Grimes. The closest is Herrold Bridge (6 km); the best-known is Big Creek Schoolhouse (14 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Grimes

48 churches within 100 km of Grimes. The closest is Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (9 km); the best-known is Greek Orthodox Church of St. George (18 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Grimes

30 parks within 100 km of Grimes. The closest is Living History Farms (9 km); the best-known is Raccoon River Park (20 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Grimes

20 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Grimes. The closest is Ashton Pointe Conservation Easement (4 km); the best-known is Big Creek State Park (18 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Museums near Grimes

17 museums within 100 km of Grimes. The closest is Iowa Gold Star Museum (8 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Grimes

15 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Grimes. The closest is Ward Business Park Dam (8 km); the best-known is Saylorville Lake Project (10 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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A one-day trip from Grimes

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 51 km on the road.

  1. Start in Grimes
  2. 10 km Saylorville Lake Project · lake, Polk
  3. 8 km Big Creek Schoolhouse · heritage site, Polk
  4. 3 km Big Creek Diversion Dam · dam, Polk
  5. 10 km Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa · temple, Dallas
  6. 4 km High Trestle Trail · trek, Dallas
  7. 16 km Back to Grimes

Plan a longer trip from Grimes — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Grimes

No traveller has reported from around Grimes yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Grimes

    All places near Grimes by distance

    Within 15 km of Grimes

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Grimes by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage127127Herrold Bridge (6 km)
    Churches4848Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (9 km)
    Parks2630Living History Farms (9 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1520Ashton Pointe Conservation Easement (4 km)
    Museums1617Iowa Gold Star Museum (8 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs1015Ward Business Park Dam (8 km)
    Treks55Beaver Creek Trail (10 km)
    Other attractions55KDPS-FM (Des Moines) (21 km)
    Temples22Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa (17 km)
    Buddhist sites22Saint Theresa's Convent (15 km)
    Waterfalls22Cascades at Jordan Creek (16 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints11George B. Peak House (20 km)
    Mosques & dargahs11Islamic Center of Des Moines (14 km)

    Grimes: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Grimes?

    Saylorville Lake Project (lake, about 10 km), Big Creek Schoolhouse (heritage site, about 14 km), High Trestle Trail (trek, about 16 km), Big Creek Diversion Dam (dam, about 16 km), Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa (temple, about 17 km), Big Creek State Park (nature spot, about 18 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Grimes?

    260 places on Spotwander: 127 forts & heritage, 48 churches, 26 parks, 15 wildlife, forests & gardens, 16 museums.

    Which is the nearest fort to Grimes?

    Herrold Bridge, about 6 km by road; Lockheed NF-80C Shooting Star (8 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Grimes?

    Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, about 9 km by road; Gospel Assembly Church (10 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Grimes?

    Living History Farms, about 9 km by road; Westchester Park (13 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Grimes?

    Start in Grimes, visit Saylorville Lake Project, then Big Creek Schoolhouse, then Big Creek Diversion Dam, then Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa, then High Trestle Trail, and drive back — about 51 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Grimes?

    October to February for forts & heritage; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches and parks.

    Towns near Grimes

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Grimes’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Grimes on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.