Here’s a fun fact about Iowa that you might not have realized: the Hawkeye State is home to the nation’s southernmost glacial lake! It’s Black Hawk Lake in Lake View, Iowa. A historic state park, this lake and its surrounding terrain is the perfect place to spend a fun-filled day in Sac County.
First, the lake. Black Hawk Lake in Iowa is a 957-acre natural lake that’s good for boating, swimming, and fishing.
juliet gudka / Google Maps
The lake boasts two swimming beaches, four boat ramps, and a fishing pier. It’s extra notable as the southernmost glacial lake in the United States.
Brock Johnson / Google Maps
Next, the hiking trails. The Stubb Severson Nature Trail is a 1.6 mile trail with 20 marked sites along the path that feature plant life from around the park. Hikers will also often spot wildlife as they take this stroll: deer, waterfowl, songbirds, and more.
Chanchal / Google Maps
A second hiking trail in Black Hawk State Park is the Sauk Trail, a 33-mile hard-surfaced, multi-use trail good for hiking and biking in the spring, summer, and fall and snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter.
Brock Johnson / Google Maps
On to Black Hawk’s campgrounds. There are two of them, with a variety of options. Thirty Acres Campground is located by the south side of the lake; Camp Crescent Campground is near the city of Lake View.
Brock Johnson / Google Maps
Both feature electric and non-electric sites, modern restrooms, showers, and a limited number of no-reservation-required campsites.
Chanchal / Google Maps
Finally, in addition to all this, Black Hawk State Park offers universally accessible options, playgrounds, disc golf, mini golf, a family cabin, picnic shelters, a variety of picturesque structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, annual events (like the Lake View Water Carnival in July and the Arctic Open Golf Tournament in February), and so much more.
juliet gudka / Google Maps
juliet gudka / Google Maps
Brock Johnson / Google Maps
Chanchal / Google Maps
Have you ever visited Black Hawk State Park? To learn more or make a reservation, visit the Iowa State Parks website here. If you love that there are glacial lakes in Iowa, then you’ll want to check out this park that hides a glacial erratic as well.
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Address: Black Hawk Lake, Iowa 51450, USA
