Warren County: Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park

 

Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park is one of Iowa's newest state parks.  Today, we hiked the Coal Miner's Daughter Trail and my kids explored all the cracks and ice fishing holes on the lake.  Parking was easy, with lots throughout the park and pit restrooms were available near both the lots we parked in.

Coal Miner's Daughter is a 2.5 mile single track trail, which we find easiest to hike in the winter when you don't have to keep an eye out for bikers.  I recommend buying Iowa Parklands' 99 cent trail map and also using All Trails to navigate the trail.

CITA has signs at the trailheads that will let you know if the trail is closed in the spring or fall due to muddy conditions.

We only saw one person ice fishing as we explored the frozen lake today, but saw many ice fishing holes.