Welcome to Carroll County!

Come explore over 2,700 acres and over 25 county parks full of natural beauty and recreation. In 1958 the Carroll County Conservation Board was established and we are entrusted to maintain and preserve parks, lakes, timber, streams, wetlands, and other natural resources to provide outdoor recreation in Carroll County. 
Major recreation areas within the Carroll County Conservation system include Swan Lake State Park, the Sauk Rail Trail, Great Western Park, and Riverside Park. We offer year round modern facilities to rent including meeting rooms, cabins, and shelter houses and Swan Lake State Park and Great Western Park. Contact our office to plan your next business meeting, family reunions, graduations party, bridal or baby showers, or fundraising events. 

Contact our office with any questions about our parks or facilities. 

Carroll County Conservation Board
22676 Swan Lake Drive
Carroll, IA 51401
Phone: (712) 792-4614
Email: Office@carrollcountyiowa.org

Social Media Links:
Facebook: Carroll County Conservation
Instagram: Carroll County Conservation

Carroll County Conservation Staff:
Jason Christensen, Director
Jessie Ludwig, Office Manager
Kristen Bieret, Environmental Education Coordinator/Naturalist
Dakota Popp, Naturalist
John Danner, Operations Supervisor/Park Ranger
Bill Van Zuiden, Park Ranger
Jesse Ayers, Park Ranger
Quinten Gurney, Park Technician
Sam Hilsabeck, Park Technician

Activities in Carroll County

Visitors enjoy a variety of activities:

• Camping
• Camping Cabins
• Sauk Rail Trail   Walking, Running, Biking
• Fishing & Hunting opportunities
• Horseback riding at Dickson Timber
• Picnicking
• Birdwatching & Wildlife viewing
• Kayaking & Canoeing at Swan Lake State Park, Great Western Park, or on the Raccoon River
• Hiking
• Educational Programs
• Paddling
• Disc Golf at Swan Lake State Park and Great Western Park 
• Paddle Boat and Kayak Rentals at Swan Lake State Park

Facilities in Carroll County

Camping enthusiasts can utilize several campgrounds throughout Carroll County including primitive tent camping and RV sites. All campgrounds are first come, first serve, we do not accept any reservations for camping. Swan Lake State Park has two modern all-seasons cabins, the Deer Ridge Cabin sleeps 10 and the Bison View Cabin sleeps 8. The East Shelter House and Great Western Park Shelter Houses are enclosed shelter houses with heating and air conditioning along with two meeting rooms at the Swan Lake Conservation Education Center. Facility Reservations can be made one year in advance from the event date. The Sauk Rail Trail is a 33-mile trail that connects two state parks, Swan Lake State Park and Blackhawk State Park, and attracts trail users from across the state. 

Parks in Carroll County

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