Dallas district, Iowa, United States

Places to visit near Van Meter

Van Meter is a town in Dallas district, Iowa, United States, home to about 1,142 people. Within 50 km by road there are 267 places to visit — 128 forts & heritage, 52 churches, 24 parks and 16 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Badger Creek State Recreation Area (8 km), Dale Maffitt Reservoir (17 km) and Brenton Arboretum (18 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Van Meter on the map

Van Meter, Iowa
Van Meter, Dallas district, Iowa, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Van Meter at a glance

Location
Dallas district, Iowa, United States
Population
about 1,142
Coordinates
41.5319° N, 93.9541° W
Places within 50 km
267 (37 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 Van Meter

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

More places near Van Meter

Things to see near Van Meter, by type

Forts & heritage near Van Meter

129 forts & heritage within 100 km of Van Meter. The closest is Oak Hill Plantation (6 km). Best time: october to february.

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Churches near Van Meter

53 churches within 100 km of Van Meter. The closest is Immanuel Lutheran Church (13 km); the best-known is Des Moines Art Center (29 km). Best time: year-round.

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Parks near Van Meter

26 parks within 100 km of Van Meter. The closest is Living History Farms (22 km); the best-known is Raccoon River Park (24 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Van Meter

20 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Van Meter. The closest is Badger Creek State Recreation Area (8 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Museums near Van Meter

19 museums within 100 km of Van Meter. The closest is Adel Historical Museum (14 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Van Meter

17 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Van Meter. The closest is Sugar Creek Lake Dam (11 km); the best-known is Dale Maffitt Reservoir (17 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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A one-day trip from Van Meter

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 99 km on the road.

  1. Start in Van Meter
  2. 8 km Badger Creek State Recreation Area · nature spot, Madison
  3. 15 km Dale Maffitt Reservoir · reservoir, Dallas
  4. 6 km Walnut Woods State Park · nature spot, Polk
  5. 31 km Brenton Arboretum · nature spot, Dallas
  6. 20 km Kuehn Conservation Area · nature spot, Dallas
  7. 19 km Back to Van Meter

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

From travellers near Van Meter

No traveller has reported from around Van Meter 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 Van Meter

    All places near Van Meter by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Van Meter by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage128129Oak Hill Plantation (6 km)
    Churches5253Immanuel Lutheran Church (13 km)
    Parks2426Living History Farms (22 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1620Badger Creek State Recreation Area (8 km)
    Museums1719Adel Historical Museum (14 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs1417Sugar Creek Lake Dam (11 km)
    Other attractions35KDPS-FM (Des Moines) (33 km)
    Treks44Bill Riley Trail (31 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints33Winterset Freedom Rock (28 km)
    Temples22Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa (41 km)
    Buddhist sites22Saint Theresa's Convent (28 km)
    Waterfalls11Cascades at Jordan Creek (20 km)
    Mosques & dargahs11Islamic Center of Des Moines (28 km)

    Van Meter: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Van Meter?

    Badger Creek State Recreation Area (nature spot, about 8 km), Dale Maffitt Reservoir (reservoir, about 17 km), Brenton Arboretum (nature spot, about 18 km), Kuehn Conservation Area (nature spot, about 19 km), Walnut Woods State Park (nature spot, about 22 km), Raccoon River Park (park, about 24 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Van Meter?

    267 places on Spotwander: 128 forts & heritage, 52 churches, 24 parks, 16 wildlife, forests & gardens, 17 museums.

    Which is the nearest fort to Van Meter?

    Oak Hill Plantation, about 6 km by road; Jordan House (23 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Van Meter?

    Immanuel Lutheran Church, about 13 km by road; Faith Lutheran Church (14 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Van Meter?

    Living History Farms, about 22 km by road; Raccoon River Park (24 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Van Meter?

    Start in Van Meter, visit Badger Creek State Recreation Area, then Dale Maffitt Reservoir, then Walnut Woods State Park, then Brenton Arboretum, then Kuehn Conservation Area, and drive back — about 99 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Van Meter?

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

    Towns near Van Meter

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