Pine Lake–Upper Pine Lake, 5 lakes
3.1 mi · ▲ 256 ft · 1 hr 10 min
Pine Lake–Upper Pine Lake, 5 lakes is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Pine Lake State Park near Eldora, IA. The route passes Pine Lake Beach, Pine Lake and Upper Pine Lake before reaching Swan Pond at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It climbs 256 ft. It scores 5/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pine Lake–Upper Pine Lake, 5 lakes
3.1 mi · ▲ 256 ft · 1 hr 10 min
Elevation 965–1,055 ft
Out & Back · Pine Lake State Park
Trailhead: South Trail · 42.36624, -93.07764
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:58 AM · sunset 7:15 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on South Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftPass Pine Lake Beach.
- 50 ftPass Pine Lake.
- 1.2 miPass Upper Pine Lake.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Pine Lake Recreation Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 150 ftPass Swan Pond.
- 150 ftReach Pine Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 300 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 350 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear left onto South Trail, heading S.
- 1.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~22 min). Leave by 6:33 PM for the 7:15 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from South Trail Trailhead
- Pine Lake–Upper Pine Lake, 5 sights 5.5 mi · ▲ 362 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Eldora, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Eldora, Iowa