This classic West Lake Bike Ride route will take you just over 18 miles around beautiful West Lake Okoboji. You can start at many points around the lake. This ride started at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji which has plenty of parking and is great launching point. You can head north or south from this point and with a stiff north wind I elected to go north first which took me on bike friendly city streets first by beautiful Terrace Park Beach and then winded through a residential area before coming out at Arnold’s Park Amusement Park.
From there you can ride down Lake Street and stop and admire boardwalk and the State Pier and turn right up the Promenade, or you can turn right at the Maritime Museum and take the trail up to Broadway Street.
When you come up the hill take a slight right up the hill to Broadway street, past many great places to eat or grab a drink to the stop light where you turn left and follow the trail along Highway 71.
Once you navigate to The Ritz (which is a great stop for food or drinks) you will definitely want to stop on the Tressel Bridge where East Lake meets West Lake and take in the view or see if the people fishing are catching anything. Ride across the bridge and relax at The Okoboji Store!
Continue north up the spine trail until you will take a left at the sign that says Pearson Lakes Art Center and Westport school house. Cross Highway 71 and enjoy the newly paved stretch of trail past the Pearson Lakes Art Center and curve left to the Dickinson County Nature Center.
Once you leave this beautiful stretch of trail, just follow the signs along Lake Shore drive to the north end of the lake and will you will find the 2.3 miles of new trail along Indian Hills Golf Course and the north side of West Lake. You will then travel some street routes and again follow the signs. Along this stretch you will want to make sure and stop to take in the incredible view of West Lake Okoboji.
When you get to the south east end of Cutty’s you will join the trail again which will take your right by Pub 19 at Okoboji View Golf Course. This is a great stop for pizza, sandwiches, and a cold drink.
The last leg of this trail you will wind through many beautiful miles and will end up at the starting point at First Lutheran Church!
Click the map below to find this ride on the free app, Ride With GPS.
