Only two years after the Dickinson County Conservation Board was established, it took on the care of a beautiful recreation area on the south side of Big Spirit Lake. The conservation board worked on an agreement with the State Conservation Commission for 25 years of management of Orleans Beach. The area east of the spillway Read More »
What is more All- American than a hot dog and a vanilla malt from Bob’s fast food place along with a day at the beach than on Arnolds Park Amusement Park beach?! Bob’s overlooks a popular area for visiting tourists and locals. The beach is a close walk to the amusement park as well as Read More »
Back in the day, big bands and old-time rock n’ roll ruled the stage at the fabled Roof Garden. While the sound has changed, the spirit remains the same. Each summer, Historic Arnolds Park hosts a FREE concert series at Preservation Plaza.
It’s all free at the Dickinson County Nature Center! Check out the live animals, indoor beehive, kids space area and all-new interactive exhibits in Pollinator Paradise. Head outside for the Nature playscape, disc-golf, trails and the Westport Schoolhouse. Year-round programming is also free.
East Lake Park is all new in 2021! With the Minnie Queen, fish slide, benches, beautiful landscaping, plentiful parking, a public dock and plenty of benches this is a must visit park. Located right on East Lake Okoboji next to the state boat ramp across from the Kum & Go convenience store on Highway 71. Read More »
Address: 3100 Emerson St Wahpeton Iowa 51351 United States
Picnicking/Shelters Emerson Bay is a great place for a family picnic. Emerson Bay Lighthouse Point has a shelter that is available and may be reserved online through the park reservation system.This shelter is also conveniently located near a sand beach, an open grass recreation area, and a playground. The lighthouse tower also provides the user with a spectacular Read More »
Want to plan a gathering in the park, but don’t want to take a chance of getting rained out? The Florence Park shelter house is just for you. Constructed in 2009, the Florence Park Shelter is a perfect place for your next outdoor picnic, reception, birthday party or social gathering. The enclosed 36’x48’ foot space Read More »
5 acres, Shelter house, walking trail, 2 floating docks, approximately 500 feet of shoreline along East Lake Okoboji, basketball court, playground equipment, park benches, picnic tables, grills, handicap-accessible restrooms.
Gull Point State Park Gull Point State Park is a focal point for camping and enjoying the outdoors in the popular Iowa Great Lakes Region. Gull Point overlooks West Okoboji Lake and offers a variety of lake activities such as swimming, paddling, water-skiing or sail boating. PLAN YOUR VISIT Beach :Gull Point’s beach provides a Read More »
Address: 1500 Harpen St Wahpeton Iowa 51351 United States
Hike the 1.5 mile self-guided interpretive trail where visitors can learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. A variety of songbirds and wildlife are often spotted near the trails. You can fish or kayak in the canals and cross-country skiing is available in the winter. Iowa DNR Trail Brochure Welcome to the Read More »
This 180 acres of preserved land offers an extensive trail system winding through the river valley of the Little Sioux River, as well as upland forest, meadows, marshes and oxbow ponds. These diverse habitats are host to a number of creatures including deer, beaver, woodpeckers, songbirds and raptors. Facilities include a warming shelter with a Read More »
Ingham and Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camps have a history rich in the love of Christ and the passion to share that love with others. Our ministries occur in partnership with churches of the region and at our two beautiful sites. We offer family and youth camps, RECHARGES and retreats, and spaces for families and groups Read More »
The Iowa Great Lakes Trail winds its way around the lakes and through the Iowa Great Lakes region, including Spirit Lake, Okoboji, West Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Milford and Lake Park. The “spine” of the system is a 14-mile, hard-surface trail that accommodates two-way recreational traffic. Connecting to the spine trail are several other trails to Read More »
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station of Iowa’s state universities. Although eduction, research, and water monitoring are Lakeside’s primary functions, it also serves as a nature preserve and historic district. As a Regents Resources center, it also offers public and school year programs for leans of all ages.
5 acres, approximately 1,000 feet of shoreline of Upper East Lake Okoboji, boardwalk, 2 floating docks, canoe ramp, walking trail, RV dump, picnic tables, grills, handicap-accessible restrooms, and fishing piers.
Address: 125th St Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
The 2,040-acre Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area reaches from the west shores of Big Spirit Lake northwest to the Minnesota state line. A native prairie, this never-been-plowed treasure is home to white lady slippers, prairie fringed orchid, prairie bush clover, wooly milkweed and porcupine grass. It is one of the most bird-rich of any areas Read More »
1 acre that includes shelter house, trail system, playground equipment, grills, park benches, picnic tables, bicycle rack, and handicap-accessible restrooms.
The Lakes Area Dog Park in a partnership with Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp is building this dog park on the south campus of the Methodist Camp property. The design of the six-acre dog park allows two dog areas. One for large dogs and one for small / timid dogs. The dog park has been Read More »
Address: 1401 Lake Shore Dr Okoboji Iowa 51355 United States
Open Months:
Open Year Round
Okoboji Boat Works is the located in the Marina District in Smith’s Bay, West Lake Okoboji. Families love the beach, playground and antique nautical display. The Okoboji Boat Works Beach is also dog friendly!
The course opened in 2013 and features both amateur- and professional-level concrete tee pads and takes disc golfers through a variety of habitats including a restored oak savanna. Challenges include tallgrass prairie areas and a 30-foot tall glacial kame. Par for the course is 61. “Long holes to short stints, obstacles to open terrain — Read More »
Address: 21301 155th St Spirit Lake Iowa 51360 United States
Open Months:
Open Year Round
Pikes Point State Park is situated on West Okoboji Lake and is home to one of the most popular swim beaches in the area. Pikes Point’s beach also has a very popular swim platform located within the swimming area for users to sunbathe or play on.
Playground, dock/lake access, shelter house. Park Shelter Reservation Fee $50 deposit (separate check) $15 per side to reserve; $30 for both $10 for kitchen
Speier Park is located west of the Kum & Go convenience store on Sanborn Avenue and directly across from the airport. The Speier Park property was donated by the late Sam Speier in the late 1960’s, with the first shelter house being constructed in 1970. At that time tennis courts were added, with some new Read More »
140 feet of shoreline along south shore of Big Spirit Lake, largest natural lake in Iowa, sandy beach, park benches, trail system. The Spirit Lake Protective Association has provided a public dock facility for boaters to access the area.
If you are looking for a great friends or family destination to cool off, splash and pay, the Splash Pad is the place to be. Memorial Park, overlooking East Lake, has 2 shelters, playground equipment, picnic tables and the centerpiece Splash Pad! Bring your lunch and enjoy a day at the park.
Address: N Templar Dr Orleans Iowa 51360 United States
Open Months:
Open Year Round
Shelter house, picnic area, restrooms, and trails. Located on the west side of Big Spirit Lake, Templar Park offers the user a boat ramp to launch their boat and several areas to fish along the shoreline. Templar Park’s boat ramp is one of the most popular on Big Spirit Lake because it is situated on Read More »
Address: 2414 Okoboji Blvd Milford Iowa 51351 United States
Open Months:
Open Year Round
One of Okoboji’s most popular public swimming areas is Terrace Park Beach. Picnics and swimming at the Beach has lingered in the memories of many of West Okoboji residents and returning visitors! New Restrooms in 2019!!!!
