Welcome to the George Washington Carver Bridge, a striking river crossing in Des Moines, Iowa. Located over the Raccoon River as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, this site serves as a welcoming gateway to the city when traveling from the airport.
Completed in 2004, the bridge features a unique structure with concept development and preliminary aesthetic design by Boston-based transportation architect Miguel Rosales of Rosales + Partners, engineered alongside lead firm Earth Tech Inc. As you visit, you will see a dynamic roadway framed by two free-standing steel arches that are visible at the street level. Painted a vibrant blue to complement the site's abundant greenery, these arches support the suspended roadway cables and clearly mark the river crossing.
Along with its concrete superstructures, the arches appear to float gracefully over the water, framing beautiful, picturesque views of the city skyline and Iowa's tallest skyscraper. Traveling across is convenient whether you drive or go by foot, as the bridge provides three roadway lanes in one direction, plus two roadway lanes paired with a dedicated bikeway/pedestrian lane in the opposite direction. It is a fantastic spot to admire modern architectural design while taking in the local landscape.
What to see at George Washington Carver Bridge
- Striking blue steel arches designed by architect Miguel Rosales
- Dedicated bikeway and pedestrian lane for easy crossing
- Framed views of the Des Moines skyline and Iowa's tallest skyscraper
- Visual effect of concrete superstructures floating over the Raccoon River
Visiting tips
Walk or ride along the dedicated bikeway and pedestrian lane to take in the framed views of the city skyline and river scenery.
How long: 30-45 minutes · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
George Washington Carver Bridge is easy to reach on Des Moines’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Iowa State Capitol and Trinity United Methodist Church (Des Moines, Iowa). For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Des Moines travel guide.
See the full Des Moines travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.