Boxcar Bend is the westernmost boat access point on the Lake Red Rock Water Trail in Marion County, Iowa, serving as the starting point for paddling routes along the Des Moines River reservoir.

The area features shallow waters (often only about a foot deep at low water levels) with sandy shoals, making it suitable for kayaks and canoes, though boaters may need to navigate around sandbars.

This access point provides gateway access to scenic paddling routes featuring wooded areas, sandy beaches, and dramatic South Shore Cliffs, with the nearby Elk Rock West access offering more developed facilities including restrooms and camping.