Hanging Rock Park
Park
4.7 (13)
416 Redfield St, Redfield, IA 50233
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Paved Multi-Use Trail And Unresolved Bank AccessIA
Raccoon River Valley Trail
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Raccoon River Valley Trail near Redfield: Trail Access, Not a Swim Beach. Check the exact destination, current permission and services before travel.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
County trail walking, cycling and running; no verified swimming entrance on informal side paths. Trail use is year-round subject to actual advisories; no river-swimming safety season established.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Paved Multi-Use Trail And Unresolved Bank Access
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Current trail association says no trail pass is required. That does not establish free swimming or campsite access off-trail.
Best season
Trail use is year-round subject to actual advisories
Nearby towns
Des Moines, Redfield
Water body
Raccoon River Historical Sandbar Reference
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Des Moines, Redfield
Access location not verified
REDFIELD, IA
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
A maintained trail does not authorize the old sandbar paths
The archive suggests informal river paths west of Redfield. Dallas County's Raccoon River Valley Trail is a managed paved walking and cycling route, not a verified bathing beach. Public trail use does not establish permission to descend every riverbank or swim at an unnamed bend.
Stay with lawful trailheads and current notices
Use designated trail-town parking and the current trail map. The association lists walking, running and cycling with a mostly gentle paved grade, but that does not describe an accessible sandbar descent. Check current advisories instead of treating an old bridge closure or reopening story as today's route status.
Trail fees and nearby amenities have narrow scope
The association's current FAQ says no trail pass is required and dogs must remain leashed. Water and restrooms are available in many trail towns; carry supplies. Nearby Hanging Rock has its own shelter, restrooms and trail spur, not guaranteed facilities at the historical swimming bank.
Choose a managed swimming destination separately
No current swimming permission, lifeguard, inspected river depth or campsite is established at those side paths. Do not seek privacy by leaving a lawful route or crossing an unsigned parcel. Overnight stays and river activities need their own authorized destination.
Visitor information for this destination
Getting There
Use designated Redfield/trail-town parking and the current county map. Do not treat informal paths to a bend as permitted public-bank access.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use designated Redfield/trail-town parking and the current county map. Do not treat informal paths to a bend as permitted public-bank access.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
County trail walking, cycling and running; no verified swimming entrance on informal side paths. Trail use is year-round subject to actual advisories; no river-swimming safety season established. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Public restroom
Public bathroom
916 Redfield St, Redfield, IA 50233
Raccoon River Valley Trail
Trailhead
Redfield, IA
Beaver Lake Campground
Campground
3.8 (39)
35335 Del Rio Rd, Dexter, IA 50070
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures, LLC
Campground
4.2 (220)
36026 Jewell Ct, Earlham, IA 50072
Lake Red Rock Visitor Center
Visitor center
4.7 (62)
1105 Hwy T15, Knoxville, IA 50138
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoon River Valley Trail
Is the trail a designated swim beach?
No. County and association trail information supports walking and cycling, not an inspected bathing entrance at the historical sandbars.
Do I need a paid trail pass?
The current association FAQ says no trail pass is required; donations are welcomed. This does not approve off-trail river access.
Where should I park?
Use designated trail-town and trailhead parking, checking the current county map for Redfield.
Can my dog use the trail?
Yes, the association requires dogs to remain leashed and not obstruct other trail users.
Are water and toilets at every riverbank?
No. Trail-town amenities vary; Hanging Rock's facilities belong to that park, not every informal sandbar path.
Does a past bridge closure apply today?
Do not infer current closure or reopening from an old story. Check current county/association trail notices for the actual route.
Highlights
Stay with lawful trailheads and current notices
Trail fees and nearby amenities have narrow scope
Choose a managed swimming destination separately
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Trail use is year-round subject to actual advisories; no river-swimming safety season established.
Difficulty Level
Paved trail generally gentle grade, separate from unverified sandbar descent.
Fee
Current trail association says no trail pass is required. That does not establish free swimming or campsite access off-trail.
Facilities
Trail towns provide varying water/restrooms; Hanging Rock facilities are separate from the historic riverbank. No lifeguard service verified.
Activities
County trail walking, cycling and running; no verified swimming entrance on informal side paths.
Phone
515-465-3577
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No overnight permission established at the historical sandbars. Use an independently authorized campground.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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