Badger Creek State Recreation Area offers two hard-surface boat ramps—one on the east side and one on the west side of the 276-acre lake—with no motor restrictions, though all vessels must maintain no-wake speeds.

The area provides convenient access via parking lots near the ramps, courtesy docks for loading/unloading, and multiple fishing jetties along the shoreline for anglers who prefer shore-based access.

Located just southwest of Des Moines near Van Meter, this day-use-only recreation area is free to access and operates daily from 4 a. m. to 10:30 p. m.