Beaver Dam State Park

Beaver Dam Lake & Beaver Dam State Park Viewpoint via Beaver Dam Lane

2.5 mi · ▲ 144 ft · 54 min

Beaver Dam Lake & Beaver Dam State Park Viewpoint via Beaver Dam Lane is a 2.5-mile out-and-back in Beaver Dam State Park near Macoupin, IL. The route passes Beaver Dam Lake before reaching Beaver Dam State Park Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.1 miles in. It is mostly level, with 144 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 52/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi535 – 607 ft2.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.21255, -89.97139
Nearest town Macoupin, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Beaver Dam Lake & Beaver Dam State Park Viewpoint via Beaver Dam Lane

2.5 mi · ▲ 144 ft · 54 min

Elevation 536–608 ft

Out & Back · Beaver Dam State Park

Trailhead: 39.21255, -89.97139

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:46 AM · sunset 7:02 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 50 ftPass Beaver Dam Lake.
  3. 250 ftBear right, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  5. 0.3 miBear right, heading NW.
  6. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Beaver Dam Lane, heading NW.
  7. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  8. 0.4 miTurn left, heading S.
  9. 300 ftPass Beaver Dam State Park Viewpoint.
  10. 0.2 miReach Beaver Dam Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
  12. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NE.
  13. 0.4 miBear left, heading S.
  14. 0.3 miTurn left, heading E.
  15. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  16. 100 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

98% dirt2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:46 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:42 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:02 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:29 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead