Rock Creek State Park

Rock Creek Lake & Rock Creek Beach

10.6 mi · ▲ 448 ft · 3 hr 45 min

Rock Creek Lake & Rock Creek Beach is a 10.6-mile out-and-back in Rock Creek State Park near Oakland Acres, IA. The route passes Rock Creek Beach and Rock Creek Lake before reaching Rock Creek Lake at the turnaround, 5.3 miles in. It climbs 448 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 47/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi846 – 984 ft10.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.74351, -92.84407
Nearest town Oakland Acres, IA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rock Creek Lake & Rock Creek Beach

10.6 mi · ▲ 448 ft · 3 hr 45 min

Elevation 846–985 ft

Out & Back · Rock Creek State Park

Trailhead: 41.74351, -92.84407

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:58 AM · sunset 7:12 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Horses allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Rock Creek Beach.
  3. 50 ftPass Rock Creek Lake.
  4. 5.3 miReach Rock Creek Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 5.3 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

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:58 AMSunset 7:12 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 5.1 mi in (~135 min). Leave by 4:37 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Horses allowed on the whole route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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