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Type: Rail Trail

Length: 33 miles

Surface: Paved

Concrete from Lake View to Maple River and asphalt from Maple River to Carroll and onto Swan Lake State Park


Condition

Awesome Shape

Grade - Flat


Amenities


Description

Discover Iowa's First Trail Connecting Two State Parks

5 Friendly Communities, 2 Beautiful Lakes and 1 Great Ride!  The Sauk Rail Trail is a 33 mile long multi-use hard surface recreational trail in Sac and Carroll Counties.With Lake View, Black Hawk Lake and Black Hawk State Park at the north end, the trail winds through the contryside communities of Carnarvon, Breda and Maple River before reaching Swan Lake State Park south of Carroll.


Location - Where is this Trail?

Lake View, Carnarvon, Breda, Maple River and Carroll IA


Trailheads

Carroll - Rolling Hills Park (Center of town), Houlihan Access (SW side of town, West of HWY 71) or Swan Lake State Park
Maple River - No true trailhead but parking is available near the angry beaver bar
Breda - Parking is available near the old train depot, downtown or by the Breda memorial park
Carnarvon - Parking is available east of the old grain elevator
Lake View - Bike arch near downtown


Sites & Attractions

* Trailgoers can find many historic landmarks along the trail, including a historical farmstead in Swan Lake State Park, a restored 1905 train depot in Breda and the iconic stone piers on Black Hawk Lake in Lake View.

* Wildlife viewing opportunities are prevalent along the trail. Traveling through the Black Hawk Marsh, Hazelbrush wildlife area and along the Sauk Bluebird Trail makes you feel like one with nature.

* Winding through the peaceful countryside, trail users will come upon a variety of beautiful sights including a wind farm and sweeping fields of wildflowers.

* There are several rest stops along the way, from parks to benches to bars and restaurants. Each community along the trail welcomes visitors with small-town Iowa hospitality.

History of the Trail

The Sauk Rail Trail is a 33 mile long multi-use recreational trail that was completed in 1998. The trail is managed by both the Sac and Carroll County Conservation Boards. It is the first recreational trail in the state of Iowa to connect two state parks. It begins in Lake View near Blackhawk Lake State Park and winds through the countryside of Sac and Carroll counties, ending in Swan Lake State Park south of Carroll. The trail surface is concrete from Lake View to Maple River Junction, and asphalt from Maple River Junction to Swan Lake. It is an excellent place for biking, walking, jogging and in-line skating and is open for snowmobiling and cross-county skiing during the winter.


Future Plans

Planned Mileage: 0 miles -


Contributors

The following members have contributed to the above Trail content.


This trail was last edited by bikeiowa on Jun 1, 2018.

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Iowa By Trail

Sauk Trail is closed for three miles south of Breda for five bridges deck to be replaced with cement. Trail will be reopened sometime next week. Plus a bit of news come see the new bar called Whisky Creek that opened on the trail in Maple River.

#2 - Catriker posted Sep 28, 2015


The 2nd Annual Ride the Rail is June 16th. Come join the fun!!

#1 - hawkeyebellz posted Jun 5, 2012


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