Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park - Carlisle, Iowa

 

November is a great time to hike at Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park because there are fewer mountain bikers on the trails.  The park was developed on the site of a former coal mine, which created unique terrain for the trail system.  

There are two parking lots that each have vault restrooms open year-round.  I recommending parking at the first lot you'll see coming from Highways 65 and 69, which has easy access to the trailhead for Coal Miner's Daughter.  All Trails has a great route to follow from there, just be aware that the final portion of route has you walking in the bike lane on the road that runs through the park.

The Summerset Trail is an 11 mile paved bike trail that runs adjacent to the park.  The route connects Carlisle and Indianola.  There's only one thing I don't like about this state park and that's the proximity of Banner Shooting Range.  We heard constant gunfire during our afternoon hike today.