Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park in Iowa, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park is a fishing and cycling destination between Des Moines and Indianola, Iowa. A paved loop connects to the longer Summerset Trail, while two lakes occupy a former coal-mining landscape. Choose the paved route for a straightforward bike outing, or use the park map to find a mountain bike course.

Lakes and connected bike trails

• A ride with options: the two-mile paved loop can stand alone or connect with the 12-mile Summerset Trail between Carlisle and Indianola.
• Two fishing lakes: shoreline access and boat ramps provide different ways to reach the water.
• A reclaimed landscape: the lakes and trails occupy ground shaped by a coal-mining operation in the 1930s.

Plan your day at Banner Lakes

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Weather and water preparation

The park has no storm shelter. Plan an outdoor visit around the forecast rather than expecting an indoor refuge. Boats of any motor size must operate at no-wake speed on the lakes.

Protect the reclaimed park

Park only in designated lots. Follow the Iowa state park rules on protecting cultural resources and natural features. Leave artifacts, nests and rock formations in place.

Location and trail connections

The visitor address is 13084 Elk Horn Street, Carlisle, IA 50047. Use the official map and park flyer to distinguish the paved loop from mountain bike trails and to locate lake access. The adjacent shooting range and public hunting area are separate destinations; a visit to the lakes does not require using either one.

Nearby parks

• Lake Ahquabi State Park: continue south toward Indianola to the Lake Ahquabi entrance on 118th Avenue.
• Walnut Woods State Park: the West Des Moines park has a separate road entrance on Walnut Woods Drive.

Choose a ride or a fishing outing

The paved loop is the clearest starting point for a short bicycle visit. The mountain bike network offers courses for different experience levels; choose from the marked routes instead of assuming every path has the same surface. Hiking provides another way to explore the park.

Both lakes have a single-lane boat ramp and parking. Anglers can target channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. South Lake has also been stocked with trout. Check the current community trout schedule and ask the park about stocking before arranging a trout trip.

Anglers age 16 and older generally need an Iowa fishing license. Use the official license and fee guide to check your category and any exemption. Anglers who need a license must also pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Children under 16 can share the catch limit of a properly licensed adult who has paid that fee, or pay their own Trout Fee for a separate limit.

Facilities for a day outside

Pit toilets, fishing piers, boat ramps and parking serve the lake and trail areas. Match the route to your mobility needs using the map, and ask park staff about the specific launch or pier you intend to use.

From mine workings to a state park

Mining and reclamation

Coal extraction shaped the site in the 1930s. Iowa acquired the land in the 1950s, but its dedication as a state park came in 2004. The former mining operation explains the lakes that now anchor recreation here.

Fish in the two lakes

The park’s fish community includes channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The two lakes provide the setting for these freshwater species.

Park information

Call 515-961-7101 for park questions. The Iowa DNR park page provides current information and links to park notices. Its mailing contact is at Lake Ahquabi State Park, rather than the Banner Lakes visitor entrance.