Swan Lake State Park
Trails & Hiking at Swan Lake State Park
The Sauk Rail Trail is a 33 mile long multi-use hard surface recreational trail in the Carroll and Sac Counties. The North end of the trail winds through Lake View, Sac County countryside, Carnarvon and into the Carroll County countryside and communities of Breda, Maple River, and Carroll before reaching Swan Lake State Park.
The Trail is great for running, walking, biking and in the winter snowmobiling. All trail users, 18 years of age and above, are required to purchase a daily, annual, or lifetime permit. Permit envelopes can be found at any of our trail heads, online, Carroll County Courthouse, or at the Carroll Hy-Vee.
Snowmobile riders may use the Sauk Rail Trail if they have purchased a trail permit and there is 4 inches or more of snow on the trail. The trail around Swan Lake State Park is plowed during the winter and can not be used by snowmobiles.
Park Rangers will patrol the trail at random and enforce trail regulations. Please remember to keep your pets on a leash at all times.
All motorized vehicles are unauthorized (motorcycles, ATV's, go carts, vehicles, mopeds, etc.) unless a person has a handicap permit for that vehicle.
Locations
Trail Heads
- Swan Lake State Park
- Houlihan Access
- Maple River
- Breda Depot Area
- Carnarvon Trail Head
- Lake View Trail Head
Fix It Stations
- Swan Lake State Park - campground
- Houlihan Access - Carroll
- Whiskey Run - Carroll
- Breda Depot Area
- Carnarvon Trail Head
- Lake View - West side of Black Hawk Lake
- Lake View - East side of Black Hawk Lake
Features
The Swan Lake Conservation Concession and Gift shop are open Memorial Day through Labor Day on Fridays (2:00pm - 8:00pm), Saturdays (10:00am - 8:00pm), and Sundays (10:00am - 7:00pm) located in the lower level of the Education Center.
Hours
The trail is open all year for biking, walking, and running. We welcome all events to use the Sauk Rail Trail, if you are planning an event that will be using the trail please contact our Carroll County Conservation or Sac County Conservation office.
Weather permitting the Sauk Rail Trail will be open for snowmobiles as long as there is 4 inches or more snow on the trail. We do plow the trail around Swan Lake State Park, this part of the trail will not allow snowmobiles.
Fees
17 years of age and under are free to use the trail
Daily Permit: $2.00 per day
Annual Permit: $15.00 per year, permits expire on January 10th of each year.
Online Annual Permits: $16.00 per year, permits expire on January 10th of each year. - purchase here
Lifetime Permit: $250.00 per individual or $350.00 per married couple
Events: if you are planning an event that will be using the trail, please contact our Carroll County Conservation or Sac County Conservation office for the Sauk Rail Trail Group Permit rate.
Business Rates: If your business or employer would be interested in offering discounted Sauk Rail Trail Permits to their employee, please contact the Carroll County Conservation office.
