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 Carnarvon, crushed limestone from Carnarvon 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, and portions of the trail are open for hunting during the appropriate seasons. Check with the SCCB for details on hunting on the Sauk Rail Trail.
As the trail winds its way through the scenic rural route, it passes through the towns of Lake View, Carnarvon, Breda, Maple River Junction and Carroll. There are many places to stop and relax or grab a bite to eat or even do a bit of shopping. Several spots of interest include the old railroad depot in Breda, an abandoned railroad trestle near Swan Lake State Park and beautiful Blackhawk Lake near Lake View, as well as numerous shops and restaurants. This trail definitely has something for everyone and makes a great place to spend an hour or a whole day exploring with family and friends!