Swan Lake State Park, in Carroll County, is a 510-acre park with a 110-acre lake. The asphalt covered Sauk Rail Trail includes a 3.8 mile loop around Swan Lake.
There is one playground, which is near the campground. On either side of the playground, are a basketball court and sand volleyball court, as well as a disc golf course which surrounds the playground area. From mid-October to late-April, when the campground is closed, there are no restrooms open near the playground.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the concession stand is open and kayak, canoe and paddleboat rentals are available. There's a sand beach for swimming on the east side of the park.
Other activities at the park in include a Farmstead Museum and three animal exhibits. The three wildlife exhibits include American Bison, Bald Eagles & Trumpeter Swans.
We really enjoyed our visit to Swan Lake State Park. If it were closer to the Des Moines area, we'd likely visit on a regular basis. If you find yourself in Carroll County, I definitely recommend spending some time there.
