Swan Lake & Sauk Rail Trail
4.6 mi · ▲ 166 ft · 1 hr 37 min
Swan Lake & Sauk Rail Trail is a 4.6-mile out-and-back in Swan Lake State Park near Carroll, IA. The route reaches Swan Lake at the turnaround, 2.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 166 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 24/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Swan Lake & Sauk Rail Trail
4.6 mi · ▲ 166 ft · 1 hr 37 min
Elevation 1,223–1,326 ft
Out & Back · Swan Lake State Park
Trailhead: Sauk Rail Trail · 42.05695, -94.87012
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:22 PM
Bikes allowed on the whole route · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Sauk Rail Trail, heading SE.
- 1.8 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.5 miReach Swan Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.3 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 1.7 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 6:17 PM for the 7:22 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:19 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Bikes allowed on the whole route
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Sauk Rail Trail Trailhead
- Sauk Rail Trail 4 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Sauk Rail Trail 7.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Swan Lake & Sauk Rail Trail 7.3 mi · ▲ 220 ft
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Hikes near Carroll, Iowa