Bike Okoboji
With miles of new trail and fresh asphalt overlays on existing tails, NOW is a great time to bike in Okoboji!
The Iowa Great Lakes has 70 plus miles of dedicated paved trails and bike friendly streets which equals numerous routes and rides for all ages and ability levels. The "spine" of the trail system is a 14-mile hard-surface multi use trail which provides a safe place to bike, walk, run, rollerblade and cross-country ski. Connecting to the spine trail are several other shorter trails to explore. The Spirit Lake trail loops around the east and west sides of Big Spirit Lake where it joins the Loon Lake Trail (Jackson County, MN) at Mini-Wakan State Park. Check out the Trail Mapopens PDF file and start planning your next ride.
New Trails
Every year new trails are added in the Iowa Great Lakes Area! Three new connector trails make the West Lake Loop feel complete and more safe than ever. The new trails include the Emerson Bay connector; The Cutty's Trail just after the north tunnel; and all along the north side of West lake and rounding to the south side of Indian Hills golf course.
Early this summer work was completed on several miles of The Tatonka Ska Trace Rail Trail, Phase II, in Spirit Lake, with more slated to be completed this fall! The completed portion starts at Peoria Ave behind Hy-Vee and runs all the way to Highway 86 The portion from Highway 86 to Montgomery has begun and will be completed later this fall.
Refreshed Trails
There has also been new asphalt overlays on many existing trails making for a much more enjoyable ride! You can enjoy these new smooth surfaces on the Nature Center Trail, The Spine Trail by Kiwanis Park in Spirit Lake, and continuing north in Spirit Lake, on the Spine Trail, from 15th Street to Hill Avenue just south of Gingham Inn Chicken, and along the east side of Big Spirit in Orleans.
Trail Access
Of course you can jump on the trail anywhere you would like, perhaps right from your hotel, however there are also many dedicated trail heads with ample parking and many with restrooms. Check out the Trails Mapopens PDF file to find the parking location most convenient for you.
Explore some great rides we've mapped out for you below!