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Major city · United States

CarlisleCarlisle, Iowa

Skip unless you live in the Des Moines metro. Half a day at the water park and a walk on the Summerset Trail is all there is.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Carlisle is a small town south of Des Moines with a water park, a trail and a historic record label site. It has no hotel and no notable restaurant in town, so most travellers use it as a day trip from Des Moines.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–September (water park and trail weather)
avoid November–March (cold, trail may be icy, water park closed)
Airport
DSM
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Carlisle: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Carlisle911 ▾
  • Police911
  • Fire and ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Carlisle, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Summerset TrailCarlisle Water ParkKAJAC Record Corp. historic landmark
Airports
DSM Des Moines International (check — about 20 min drive; no direct public transport)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    0°C (32°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Carlisle: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

0°C (32°F)

−10°C (14°F)

6 rd

Feb

2°C (36°F)

−8°C (18°F)

6 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

−3°C (27°F)

8 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

4°C (39°F)

10 rd

May

23°C (73°F)

11°C (52°F)

12 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

16°C (61°F)

11 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

9 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

9 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Oct

18°C (64°F)

6°C (43°F)

8 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

−1°C (30°F)

7 rd

Dec

2°C (36°F)

−8°C (18°F)

6 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

check — You need a car. The town is walkable but the trail and water park are spread out. No public transit within Carlisle.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Des Moines

go

Door to door: 15 min

check — Car, about 15 min north on IA-5

Capital city with museums, breweries and the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

West Des Moines

go

Door to door: 15 min

check — Car, about 15 min northwest on IA-5

Shopping and dining hub.

Ankenygo

Door to door: 20 min

check — Car, about 20 min north via I-35

Suburban town with parks and a growing food scene.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Carlisle

No hotels in town. Nearest accommodation is in Des Moines or West Des Moines.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
US$0–20 (day trip from Des Moines)
Mid
US$20–50
High
US$50+

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
No overnight stay1 × 1 night × US$0US$0
Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$5US$5
Trip total≈ US$5 per person per day, bed includedUS$5

Day trip only — check

2026 estimate in USD. Carlisle is a day trip; no accommodation costs.

Prices of common things

Water park entry (adult)checkUS$5–10
CoffeeUS$2–4
Fast-food mealUS$8–12
Gas (per gallon)US$3–4

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe. Standard small-town precautions: lock your car, don't leave valuables visible.
  • No hotels in Carlisle; book in Des Moines or West Des Moines.
  • Water park hours and seasonal closure: check the city website.
  • Summerset Trail is unpaved in sections; check conditions after rain.

Emergency numbers

Police
911
Fire and ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

CarlisleCarlisle, Iowa

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police911
  • Fire and ambulance911

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Des Moines to Carlisle: about US$15–20 by ride-hail, 15 min

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello (hello)
  • Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
  • How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
  • Where is the trail? — Where is the trail? (where is the trail)

English is the only language spoken.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carlisle. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–September (water park and trail weather) · avoid November–March (cold, trail may be icy, water park closed) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Carlisle

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