In 1958 the Carroll County Conservation Board was established. Currently the CCCB manages over 25 areas totaling over 2,700 acres for public use, wildlife habitat, and natural areas. 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. Nearly 200 Camping sites are available in seven different parks; two cabin rentals including basic amenities; two meeting rooms in the Swan Lake Education Center available year-round for business meetings, family reunions, and gatherings; open and enclosed shelter houses; and miles of trails for biking, hiking, walking, and horseback riding.

If you have any questions on any of our parks be sure to contact our office!  

Carroll County Conservation Board

22676 Swan Lake Drive

Carroll, IA 51401

Phone: 712-792-4614

Facebook: Carroll County Conservation

 

Jason Christensen, Director jason@carrollcountyiowa.org       

Jessie Ludwig, Office Manager jludwig@carrollcountyiowa.org

Kristen Bieret, Environmental Education Coordinator/Naturalist kbieret@carrollcountyiowa.org

Dakota Popp, Naturalist dpopp@carrollcountyiowa.org

John Danner, Operations Sup./Park Ranger

Bill Van Zuiden, Park Ranger

Jesse Ayers, Park Ranger

Quinten Gurney, 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 classrooms 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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