Gull Point’s beach provides a fine place for young and old to sunbathe and splash in the crystal clear water. West Okoboji and the many other lakes are some of the prime fishing spots in Iowa. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish and bullheads. Boating is also very popular on the lakes using everything from canoes to sailboats and ski rigs. The ‘lakes area’ of northwest Iowa offers a tremendous array of outdoor recreation opportunities, year-round. The unique setting of beautiful and clear Lakes East and West Okoboji, Big Spirit Lake and other water bodies truly provides wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation. The focal point for state parks and recreation areas in this region is beautiful Gull Point State Park, established in 1933. Gull Point provides a pleasing, shaded setting on West Okoboji Lake and offers a well-rounded variety of outdoor recreation facilities. The Gull Point campground is one of the most popular in the lakes area. The campground is well shaded and features paved roads, playground equipment, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. There are a total of 112 campsites, 60 with electrical hookups. Advance campsite reservations can be made online through the park reservation system. One quarter of the campsites are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Gull Point lodge, built during the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corp, is the largest such facility in the state. It features kitchen facilities and will seat 140 people. The lodge is a wonderful setting for group activities such as wedding receptions and family reunions. Lodge reservations can be made online through the park reservation system. The western portion of Gull Point State Park is a hiker’s delight, with a fine self-guided interpretative trail. On the 1.3 mile trail, visitors can identify a variety of natural features by using the trail brochure. This area of the park is an excellent place to observe a wide variety of wildlife from songbirds to white-tailed deer. In the winter, the area is open for cross-country skiing.