Swan Lake State Park is managed by the Carroll County Conservation Board. It is a 510 acre multi-use area, including a 110 acre lake. The land was acquired by the Department of Natural Resources in 1933. In 1959, the Carroll County Conservation Board signed a management agreement with the Department of Natural Resources receiving authority to maintain and develop the park. It has the largest and most diverse campground in Carroll County. Water, electric, and full-hookup campsites are available for RV's with over 100 total campsites. Tent camping is also available. Other amenities include shower houses, a concession stand/gift shop, campground shelter house, a new dump station, paddleboat & canoe rentals, and firewood/ice sales.
Features
Swan Lake Offers:
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Self-registration camping that includes 120 campsites
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Many beautiful picnic sites
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Fishing
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An enclosed fish house
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Farmstead museum
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Animal exhibits
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Cross-country skiing
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Sledding
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Ice-fishing
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Snowmobiling
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Home to the Conservation Education Center where a naturalist is available yer round for environmental education to various groups
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The Sauk Rail Trail connects Swan Lake State Park with Black Hawk State Park to the north.
Biking 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, the Carroll County Courthouse, or at the Carroll Hy-Vee.
Cabins at Swan Lake State Park
There are two cabins you can rent at Swan Lake State Park.
The Cabin at Swan Lake - near the campground, playground, disc golf course, and Sauk Rail Trail.
Is available to rent May through mid-October, weather permitting. The cabin sleeps 6-8 comfortably, when you walk into the cabin you have a sitting area with a futon, chairs, and two sets of bunk beds. The kitchen is open to the sitting area equip with refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and table and chairs. We also provide dinnerware, silverware, pots & pans, along with the utensils. If you have your favorite cookware we ask that you bring it along. This cabin has a half bathroom (toilet & sink) but the shower house is a short walk in the campground. The cabin also has two air conditioner units. There is a fire ring located outside of the cabin, you may bring your own lawn chairs to relax outside of the cabin.
The North Cabin at Swan Lake - near the Sauk Rail Trail
This cabin is available year-round, equip with air conditioner and furnace, is located on the North side of the lake. The cabin will sleep 10 comfortably, when you walk into the cabin you have the kitchen area, equip with refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and table and chairs. The living room area is open to the kitchen and is has a T.V., DVD player, love seat and couch with sliding glass doors to the outdoor patio and amazing view of the lake. The four seasons room has a very large table with bar stools for your large gatherings, along with additional counter space and refrigerator, another sliding glass door to the outdoor patio we have patio chairs in the four seasons room for the outdoor patio we ask that they are used on the patio ONLY and placed back into the four seasons room each night and at the end of your stay. On the main level of this cabin there are two bedrooms with queen size beds along with a full bathroom (no tub). In the basement of the cabin there is a open room with two sets of bunk bed along with a full size bed and full bathroom (no tub) there is also a storm shelter. The fire ring located outside of the cabin is great for a campfire, we do ask that you bring your own lawn chairs or use our picnic table to enjoy the area.
There is also one full hook-up camping unit next the cabin available for the renter to use.
Camping at Swan Lake State Park
Campground Host are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day - Mondays through Thursdays 11:00am - 8:30pm, Friday through Sunday 8:00am - 8:30pm. They are located in sites #34 and #29.
The campground is self-registration or from our campground hosts - you are to register the day you arrive and have your receipt posted at your campsite. Envelopes are located at the kiosk on the East and West ends of the campground, you can also find the drop boxes at the kiosk.
There are two shower houses in the campground.
One picnic table and fire ring per camping unit, please do not remove either of these from other sites. You can purchase firewood through our campground hosts.
Canoeing & Kayaking at Swan Lake State Park
Canoes, Kayaks, and Paddle Boats are all available for rent Memorial Day - Labor Day
$5 per hour or $20 per day per boat.
Monday - Thursday & Friday's until 2:00pm -- see campground host or Conservation office for rentals
Friday (2:00pm - 8:00pm) -- see concession stand, located in the lower level of the Education Center
Saturday (10:00am - 8:00pm) -- Sunday (10:00am - 7:00pm) -- see concession stand, located in the lower level of the Education Center.
You must be 16 years or older to rent a boat and have an ID.
Disc Golf at Swan Lake State Park
18 hole course
Rental disc available through our campground host, concession stand, or conservation office.
T-Shirts and disc's for sale in our gift shop!
Fishing at Swan Lake State Park
Fishing at Swan Lake
Picnicking at Swan Lake State Park
There are several picnicking spots at Swan Lake State Park!
Swimming at Swan Lake State Park
Swimming at Swan Lake State Park is located on the East side of the lake. Swimming is allowed within the roped off area of the East Beach.
There is no lifeguards on duty, please be responsible
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.
Winter Activities at Swan Lake State Park
Swan Lake State Park has Snowshoes for rent! If you are planning a group event or individual we have the snowshoes for you!
$2 per day
$5 per weekend (Pick up Friday, drop off Monday - during office hours)
Non-profit prices are available!
We recommend there be 4-5 inches of snow.
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