Carroll is a peaceful city in western Iowa and the county seat of Carroll County. The city was originally laid out in 1867 and named for the county where it was founded. As for Carroll County, it got its name from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Roman Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. Early in its history, Carroll was a railroad town.
As of 2023, the population of Carroll is approximately 10,400. The city is known as a lovely place to live, featuring many family-friendly attractions, locally-owned shops and restaurants, and a close-knit community. If the weather is pleasant during your visit, you'll find several great opportunities for outdoor recreation. Perhaps the most popular outdoor destination around Carroll is Swan Lake State Park, which is an excellent spot for hiking, fishing, boating, disc golf, and other activities. If you'd prefer a leisurely day of golfing, you could head to the picturesque Carroll Municipal Golf Course. Alternatively, you could spend an afternoon at the Hazelton Wildlife Area observing the interesting animals.
If you want to do some shopping while you're in Carroll, there are large retail outlets and plenty of smaller shops. A few places to check out are Walmart, the New Hoppe Bargain Shoppe, and Thrift World. The Carroll area also boasts quite a few great restaurants worth sampling during your visit. For example, you could stop by Ski's Sandwich Shops for a delicious sandwich. You could also try the authentic Mexican cuisine at Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant or the tasty Italian fare at Napoli's Italian.
Campgrounds Near Carroll, Iowa
When you're looking for a campground in the Carroll area, consider staying at Dolliver Memorial State Park. The park offers 33 RV campsites with 30-amp electrical hookups. Located right on the banks of the Des Moines River, the campground provides great opportunities for fishing and paddling. Guests also have access to several nice amenities, including an RV dump station, a lodge, showers, and an amphitheater.
You may also consider camping at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, which has full-hookup RV campsites available for reasonable rates. The park is a great place to stay with the whole family, featuring a playground that the kids will love. Additionally, guests will find volleyball courts, hiking trails, picnic tables, and excellent fishing spots in the park and surrounding area.
Another quality campground in the Carroll area is Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. There, you can grab one of the 256 full-hookup RV campsites. The park is known as a fantastic destination for equestrian campers, featuring many miles of horse trails and even a horse washing area. Other amenities provided by the campground include picnic tables and clean showers and bathrooms. The park is also revered for having a peaceful atmosphere and helpful staff members.
State Parks Near Carroll, Iowa
Black Hawk State Park is a peaceful nature area known primarily as the home of Black Hawk Lake. The 957-acre reservoir is the southernmost glacial lake in the country and features boat ramps and a universal fishing pier. In addition to the excellent angling and boating opportunities, the lake boasts a popular swimming beach as well. If you prefer staying on dry land, you'll find approximately 30 miles of scenic hiking trails in the area surrounding the lake. During the winter, many of these trails become wonderful routes for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Additionally, the park offers several lovely areas that are perfect for picnicking.
Nestled near Harlan, Iowa, Prairie Rose State Park is a popular park known for its tranquility and scenic beauty. The park is located on the shores of a 218-acre lake, where visitors can partake in boating, swimming, paddling, and fishing for bluegill, catfish, crappie, and bass. Several miles of peaceful trails wind through the park; they're great for hiking during the summer and for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing during the winter.
Another recreation area known for its gorgeous scenery is Ledges State Park. The park, which lies on the banks of the mighty Des Moines River, is an excellent destination for both land and water-based recreation. If you're a hiking enthusiast, you'll find several miles of scenic trails to explore, with several routes leading to breathtaking overlooks. There's also an interpretive trail where you can learn about the ecology of the area. Alternatively, you can head to the nearby river for an afternoon of fishing, kayaking, or canoeing.
National Sites Near Carroll, Iowa
Between 1803 and 1806, Lewis and Clark embarked on an important journey to explore the Louisiana Purchase and establish friendly relations with Native Americans. By visiting the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which spans 14 states, you can see a variety of important historical sites and learn about the monumental expedition. You can travel the national historic trail by hiking, biking, or even boating. And a few of the landmarks worth checking out along the route include the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum, the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Educational Center, and the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center.
For anyone interested in Native American history and culture, the Pipestone National Monument is a wonderful national site to visit. The monument preserves more than 50 quarries, which contain a special type of soft, red rock. For many years, the region's Native Americans have been visiting the site to dig up the rock. They then use it to carve pipes to use in prayer and sacred ceremonies. During your visit, you may want to start at the visitor center to learn about the monument and its significance. Then, consider navigating the Circle Trail and the South Quarry Trail to get a closer look at the quarries.
If you're looking for outdoor recreation in a scenic environment, look no further than the Missouri National Recreation River. The site, which is headquartered in Yankton, SD, preserves a large stretch of the majestic Missouri River. Visitors to the area can partake in a variety of activities, including fishing, paddling, hunting, and boating. There are also many miles of great hiking and biking trails to explore around the area. During your visit, you can also stop by landmarks like the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, and the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve.
National Forests Near Carroll, Iowa
If you head west from Carroll and travel to northern Nebraska, you can visit the 116,000-acre Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest. The preserve provides a tranquil setting for a variety of land and water-based recreational activities. Visitors have access to year-round camping at the well-maintained Steer Creek Campground. There are also many miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails throughout the forest, including popular routes such as the Blue Jay Trail and Snake River Falls. Alternatively, you can make your way to the Niobrara River for a kayaking trip or cast your fishing line in the Niobrara River.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a vast natural haven comprising more than 1.5 million acres of wilderness, lush woodlands, and historical sites. During your visit, you could explore the Headwaters Wilderness area, which boasts many of the oldest and largest trees in the region. You can also partake in various recreational activities, including hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, geocaching, birdwatching, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and swimming. When the weather gets chilly enough, activities like ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling are popular options as well.
Mark Twain National Forest is a unique national forest located in southeastern Missouri. Named for the famous writer and entrepreneur, the forest encompasses just over three million acres, roughly half of which is publicly owned land. The entirety of the forest is located within the boundaries of the Ozark Mountains, and many unique birds and other wildlife species call the area home. If you're an angling enthusiast, you can cast your line in several of the park's lakes for crappie, bass, and trout. Alternatively, you can explore scenic hiking routes, including the Lower Rock Creek Trail and the Greer River Trail.
