The latest Vacation Okoboji video will have you dreaming of your next summer family vacation to Okoboji. Go behind the scenes to learn more about each of the Okoboji attractions that need to be on your families to-do list!
Tubing!
With over 15,000 acres of lakes in Iowa’s Great Lakes region, there is plenty of room for your family to go tubing! We have plenty of public boat ramps if you bring your own boat and tube, or you can rent from one of our outstanding recreational rental companies who will make sure you have a great afternoon on the water! Make sure you book early, this is a popular activity!
East Lake Park!
The Minnie Queen at East Lake Park in Okoboji is the most popular playground in the lakes area! This park was just renovated in 2020 to provide outstanding views of East Lake Okoboji, a dock for fishing or enjoying the sunrise, picnic tables, and custom playground equipment unique to Okoboji. This will definitely be your kid’s favorite new playground in Okoboji, and the Dickinson County Bike Trails border the park! Ride your bike, cruise up in a boat, or come by car!
Fishing!
Okoboji has long been known for our outstanding fishing! Whether you hire a guide, go out in a boat, or fish off the dock, the fish are waiting for you! Our local bait shop have all of the supplies (and tips) you need for a successful day on the water. In addition to clean water, the Iowa Great Lakes is home to the DNR Fish Hatchery in Spirit Lake. This fishery helps stock the fish supply in Okoboji and many other Iowa lakes to keep our fish populations healthy.
Prairie Adventure!
Kenue Park is home to the Dickinson County Nature Center, miles of trails through a 70-acre restored prairie, a pair of trumpeter swans who live on the wetland, an 18-hole disc golf course, a 150+ year old 1 room schoolhouse, burr oak savannah, glacial kame, osprey nest, naturescape outdoor playground. It’s the perfect place to visit for free fun, great photo ops, and connecting to nature!
Water Recreation!
Pick a water toy! Any water toy! There are so many great ways to get out on the water including on a peddle boat at Fillenwarth Resort! Bring your own water toys, borrow them from your resort, or rent one from one of our many recreation rental shops along the water.
Mini Golf!
The Iowa Great Lakes Area has great mini golf courses like the Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf seen in this video. The 18-hole Pirate’s Cove is can be found next to Arnolds Park Amusement Park. You can also test your skills on the 27-hole Treasure Village mini golf course. The theme is fairy tales and each hole highlights a different story!
Dock Time!
Enjoy time on the dock at your lakeside resort, or play one of the many public docks in the Iowa Great Lakes Area! You can bring your own floating mat to play on in the water or rent one from one of our recreational rental shops! Even your dog will love a dock day in Okoboji!
Go Out To Eat!
You’ll find some of the most delicious and unique restaurants in Okoboji, include O’Farrell Sisters! Known for their secret-recipe pancakes, cinnamon rolls as big as your head, and pie served until it runs out, this will quickly become your favorite 1950’s style diner in Okoboji! Like so many restaurants in Okoboji, you can come by car, bike or boat!
Insider Tip: Do you want an Okoboji Sweater? Check out Boat House Apparel in Arnolds Parks!
Pollinator Paradise!
The Pollinator Paradise at the Dickinson County Nature Center has quickly become a family favorite since it was built in 2019! This hands-on space will allow kids (and adults) to be creative, have fun, learn about the importance of birds, bees, butterflies, and all pollinators! Best part – it’s free!
Insider Tip: Visit the lower level of the Nature Center to meet the animal ambassadors!
Arnolds Park Amusement Park!
For over 125 years, Arnolds Park Amusement Park has been welcoming families with their rides for every level of thrill seeker! Their “Legend” rollercoaster is the oldest wooden roller coaster west of the Mississippi, and the lakeside Ferris wheel provides spectacular views of West Lake Okoboji, but your kids will be most focused on the next ride they want to try (over and over again)! The Amusement Park is also home to outstanding concert and event venues, a beautiful boardwalk along the lake, fun beach with plenty of shade trees and beach volleyball, unique restaurants and retails shops, and 3 outstanding museums! Every Saturday night in the summer you can enjoy a free, family-friendly concert in Preservation Plaza overlooking a beautiful Okoboji Sunset with fireworks after! It’s a pretty magical place to spend a summer day with your family!
We know your family will have a memorable vacation in Okoboji! It’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or week-long family reunion! As always if you have any questions or need other recommendations please call us at 712-332-2209. We would love to help you plan your family vacation to Okoboji!
** Helpful planning tip: If you’re viewing this on your smart phone, click on any of the above blue links. Read more about it, and if you want to save it for your upcoming trip, choose to “add to my Calendar.” Add it to your calendar during the dates you plan on visiting so it will be easy for you to find while you’re in the area!