Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 3 lakes
11.2 mi · ▲ 353 ft · 3 hr 55 min
Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 3 lakes is an 11.2-mile out-and-back in Saylorville Lake Project near Polk City, IA. The route passes Saylorville Lake and Big Creek Lake. It climbs 353 ft and is mostly paved. It scores 4/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Saylorville Lake–Big Creek Lake, 3 lakes
11.2 mi · ▲ 353 ft · 3 hr 55 min
Elevation 878–973 ft
Out & Back · Saylorville Lake Project
Trailhead: Neal Smith Trail · 41.75445, -93.70573
Weather Sep 22: Light drizzle, high 58°F / low 55° · precip 21% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 7:03 AM · sunset 7:14 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Neal Smith Trail, heading W.
- 0.3 miPass Saylorville Lake.
- 1.2 miTurn right, heading N.
- 2.9 miPass Big Creek Lake.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NE.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 150 ftReach Saylorville Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 100 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.9 miBear left, heading SW.
- 3.3 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading S.
- 0.7 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 3.5 mi in (~91 min). Leave by 5:23 PM for the 7:14 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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Hikes near Polk City, Iowa