Waukee, IA Outdoor Activities

Cleaved through the bucolic terrain of Ledges State Park, Honey Creek Golf Club’s 18-hole course bounds over contoured terrain amid prairieland flora and mature tree lines. The challenging par 71 starts fast, with water in play on four holes on the front nine, including a forced carry on the second tee that will punish shaky swings and drivers that forgot to stretch before the round. Multiple dog-leg holes cater to players who can work their drives both ways, helping them find the bentgrass fairways and avoid the arbors and brambly prairie grass of the rough. A difficult layout for those teeing up from the back tees, the course features five tee options to make the round surmountable for players of any ability.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 71 course

• Length of 6,805 yards from the farthest tees

• Course rating of 70.5 from the farthest tees

• Slope rating of 131 from the farthest tees

• Five tee options

• Link to scorecard

While touring the country in an RV, Chris and Jamie Rademacher hatched the idea to open a campground. Despite being newcomers to the business, they're off to a pretty good start—their Des Moines West KOA was recently awarded a 2011 KOA President's Award for exceptional quality and guest service. Set on rolling farmland 1.5 miles north of I-80 exit 106, the well-groomed grounds are convenient to the interstate but secluded enough to ensure peace and quiet. RV sites include full hookup and pull-through capability, and cabins allow families and groups to smooth out their experience of "roughing it" with amenities such as porch swings, working kitchens, and a staff of liveried deer to hold open their doors. During daytime hours, guests can tap into WiFi networks, cast a line into the nearby stocked fishing pond, or take a dip in the heated pool, open Memorial Day–Labor Day.

Started as a nonprofit club back in 1974, Des Moines Skydivers originally provided a way for its skydiving-enthusiast members to enjoy an expensive passion as cheaply as possible. After upgrading its Cessna 195 to two newer models, the group expanded its focus, welcoming members of the public to Winterset Airport for first-time jumps, tandem jumps, accelerated training courses, and varied jumps for seasoned skydivers. The group also holds an annual get-together every Labor Day weekend called Dollar Daze, during which partygoers can pay a dollar to either jump from an airplane or give a quick smooch to the pilot.