Area Travel - AmericInn^® of Okoboji, IA

Welcome to Okoboji and Beautiful Iowa!

The AmericInn of Okoboji is conveniently located in Okoboji only minutes from all attractions. The main attractions of the Okoboji area are the glacier carved lakes. The Iowa Great Lakes include Iowa's largest natural lake, Spirit Lake, and five interconnected lakes. Spring-fed West Lake Okoboji is a beautiful shade of blue and 134' deep. It is the centerpiece of the five chain lakes and the surrounding communities provide the backdrop for Okoboji's year-round playground. There are endless activities for your leisure time. Active water sports include boating, fishing, swimming, sailing, water-skiing, para-sailing, canoeing, kayaking and wake-boarding. You may also enjoy the area's two amusement parks, eight golf courses, mini golf, over 20 miles of hard surfaced trails, art galleries, movie theatres and live music. The AmericInn of Okoboji offers spacious accommodations perfect for relaxing after a long day enjoying all Okoboji has to offer.

Okoboji Lakes: West Lake Okoboji, East Lake Okoboji, Big Spirit Lake, Upper Gar Lake, Lake Minnewashta, Lower Gar Lake, Center Lake

Okoboji Parks: Kenue Park, Horseshoe Bend, Gull Point State Park, Emerson Bay, Elinor Bedell State Park, Green's Beach 

Area Attractions in Okoboji, Iowa

West Lake Okoboji - West Lake Okoboji was carved by the Wisconsin glacier over 100,000 years ago.  It's maximum depth is 134 feet, making it the deepest lake in Iowa and second in size only to Spirit Lake.  West Lake Okoboji is often considered to be one of three blue water lakes in the world.  The other two are Lake Geneva in Switzerland and Lake Louise in Canada.

Spring-fed West Lake Okoboji is a popular regional destination for motor boating, water skiing, sailing and swimming.  The lake is also a popular fishing destination.  The main catches in the lake are yellow perch, bluegill and walleye.  It also contains significant populations of smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, crappie, white bass and black bass.  The lake was named "Mde Tonka" (Great Lake) by the Dakota Sioux and "Great" is a fitting name for this rare "Blue Jewel" of the Iowa Prairie.
Distance: .25 miles

University of Okoboji - The Three Sons located in Milford, Iowa is the offical University of Okoboji sportswear headquarters.  Imagine a university whose founding fathers prescribed a curriculum fashioned not in academia, but celebration.  An institution whose alumni promote get-down-boogie, not bookworms.  Actually, such a school exists only in mind and attitude, but it is also steeped in a rich tradition in the vacation paradise of northwest Iowa.  The campus is the Iowa Great Lakes, and the halls of knowledge are the pathways of life.  The University of Okobji is a mythical, yet vibrant, college of fun and spirit of goodwill.  The University of Okoboji is a fictitious univeristy started by three brothers in the 1970's.  A trip to Okoboji is not complete without a stop at Three Sons to pick up a University of Okoboji souvenier. University of Okoboji entrance exams are available upon check-in at the front desk! Don't miss the U of O homecoming celebration each July.
Address: 902 10th Street, Milford, IA 51351
Distance: 4.0 miles
Phone:  712-338-2424

Historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park - Built in 1889, during the golden age of amusement parks, Historic Arnolds Park is one of the longest running amusement parks in the World.  Return to a time where a ride on a ferris wheel at sunset was the thrill of a lifetime and a Nutty Bar was the yummiest treat in the World.  Hotel packages including Arnolds Park passes can be found on our Specials and Packages page.
Address: 243 W. Broadway, Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Distance: 3.5 miles
Phone: 712-332-2183

The Queen II Tour Boat - The Queen II looks and feels like the steamboats of yesteryear.  Tours last one hour and fifteen minutes and include narration on various historical landmarks around the Iowa Great Lakes.
Address: 243 W. Broadway Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Distance: 3.5 miles
Phone: 712-332-2183

Click here for specials that include the Queen II Tour Boat. 

Ranch Okoboji - Featuring an 18 hole mini-golf course, the area's largest arcade, and an ice cream shop, Ranch Okoboji is three acres of fun and attractions! Don't miss Tyotee's Wild Mining Adventure, where kids can mine for rare gemstones, fossils and arrowheads.
Address: 1800 Hwy 71 N., Okoboji, IA 51355
Distance: 0.50 miles

Brooks National Golf Course - Enjoy three unique golf layouts and play through parkland, prairie and wetlands.  Brooks is a beautifully maintained 27 hole golf course with bent grass fairways that has been serving the golfing public since 1932.  Lodging packages including Brooks National are listed under Hotel Special Packages.
Phone: 712-332-5011

Okoboji Summer Theatre - For 51 years students from Stephens College have been managing, producing and starring in the theatre's productions.  Nine shows run throughout the summer and include Broadway hits, drama, musicals and comedies.
Phone: 713-332-7773

Lakes Art Center - Enjoy viewing works in the gallery's permanent, traveling collections or exhibits by guest artists. For gallery hours and specific event times call the center.
Address: 2201 Highway 71, Okoboji, IA 51355
Distance: 1.5 miles
Phone: 712-332-7013

Dickinson County Recreational Trails - The "Spine" of the trail system is a 14 mile, hard surfaced trail that accommodates two-way recreational traffic winding through the heart of the Great Iowa Lakes.

Abbie Gardner/Sharp Cabin Historical Site - The Abbie Gardner Cabin was listed on the National Register of historic places in 1973.  Occurring in 1857 the Abbie Gardner Cabin was home to one of the few violent conflicts in Iowa between European-American settlers and Native Americans.  For more information or to schedule a group tour, call the number below.
Address: 34 Monument Drive, Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Distance: 3.5 miles; One block west of Historic Arnolds Amusement Park
Phone: 712-332-7248

Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum - Relive the days of steamboats, motor launches and wooden cruisers.  The museum has amassed a vast collection of local photographs, articles and artifacts from the Iowa Great Lakes early 'golden days' of boating.  Includes familiar hallmarks from Arnolds Park earlier days.  Located in Okoboji Spirit Center next to Historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park.
Address: 243 W. Broadway, Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Distance: 3.5 miles
Phone: 712-332-5159

The Clay County Fair - What began as a four-day county fair which attracted 28,000 people in 1918 has evolved into the "world's greatest county fair." Best known for its agribusiness machinery displays, the fair devotes 35 acres to agricultural equipment, making it the largest and most comprehensive agribusiness display in the country.  The fair also features big name entertainment, 4-H and FFA displays and events, chuckwagon and harness racing, truck and tractor pulls, a rodeo, car races and a carnival. There are approximately 500 commercial exhibit booths.  Cattle, horses and sheep are available for viewing all nine days of the fair.  Poultry are displayed the first four days and rabbits are on exhibit the last five days.
Address: Spencer, Iowa
Distance: 20.0 miles
Hours of Operation: September 6-14, 2008

Kenue Park - Within this park you will find meadows, oak-savannah forest, and a spectacular overlook from the top of a glacial kame - a large bluff remaining of a river running into a glacial hole.  Centrally located in the heart of Dickinson County, this park has picnic areas, nature trails, a physical fitness course, and modern bathrooms.  Make sure to visit Westport School also at Kenue Park, and soak up the history of this historical pioneer one-room school house.
Address: 170th St., Okoboji, IA 51355
Distance: 3.0 miles
Phone: 712-338-4238 or 712-332-2355

Horseshoe Bend County Wildlife Preserve - This 180-acre preserve offers an extensive trail system winding through river valley of the little Sioux River, and upland forests, meadows, marshes and oxbow ponds.  These diverse habitats are host to a number of creatures including deer, beaver, woodpeckers, songsbirds and hawks.  Facilities include a "warming shelter" with a spectacular river valley outlook, a playground featuring a huge 40' enclosed tube slide, wildlife-viewing blind, aesthetic footbridges spanning the river, modern bathroom facilities, and a picnic area.
Address: 3.0 miles S of Milford on Hwy. 71 and 3 miles W on 240th St., Milford, IA 51351
Distance: 10.0 miles
Phone: 712-338-4786

Little Swan Lake Winery - Featuring 18 different wines all produced on-site, a selection of cheeses, and buffalo meat from their own herd which roams nearby.  The tasting room is a remodeled 1920's barn.  Winery vineyard consists of two acres of northern cold hardy grapes.  The gift shop features clothing and wine related items.  Little Swan Lake Winer is dedicated to producing the finest and most enjoyable wines.
Address: 1350 320th Ave., Estherville, Iowa 51334
Distance: 8.0 miles
Phone: 712-858-4592

Fishing the Iowa Great Lakes - Visitors to Lake Okoboji find that the fishing is first rate in this Iowa Great Lake.  Fishing enthusiasts can fish year round with both warm weather fishing and ice fishing in the well stocked waters.  Numerous species of fish swim these waters; your catch may include bass, walleye, catfish, perch, crappie, bluegill or northerns.  For anglers looking for more a challenge you can test your skill at fishing for Muskellunge.  Seven of the current "Iowa All Time Record Fish" were caught in the Iowa Great Lakes.

Kick off the 2009 walleye season at the Iowa Great Lakes during the 27th Annual Great Walleye Weekend, May 1 and 2, 2009.  This two-day fishing tournament benefits Easter Seals.

A record number of anglers cast their line in last years Great Walleye Weekend, attempting to land one of six specially tagged walleye.  The specially tagged walleye are distributed in the West and East Okoboji Lakes and Big Spirit Lake by the Department of Natural Resources.  A tagged walleye is worth $10,000 if caught by a registered contestant during the contest hours.  if more than one of the tagged walleye is caught, the $10,000 is equally divided.  A number of pan fish are also tagged for additional prizes.
Distance: 1.5 miles

Antiques and Collectibles - If antique treasure hunting is your pleasure, Okoboji is the place to be.  Spend hours exploring our many antique shops searching for that special find. Don't miss our three Antique Show & Flea Markets held annually on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends.  Over 90 dealers in attendance.  
Distance: 2 miles 

Gull Point State Park - This park on West Okoboji Lake is a perfect place to spend a few hours or a whole day!  Hiking trails are well-maintained, winding their way through Burr Oak forest and marshes.  Gull Point's beach provides a fine place for young and old to sunbathe and splash in the crystal clear water.
Address: 1500 Harpen St., Wahpeton, IA 51351
Distance:3.0 miles
Phone:712-337-3870

29th Annual University of Okoboji Winter Games - Join the fun on Smith's Bay, on West Lake Okoboji, the last full weekend in January and see why the University of Okoboji Winter Games is the most anticipated annual winter event in the Iowa Great Lakes.  Many exciting activities are slated for each year's extravaganza with events such as a broom ball tournament, bike rides, chili cook-off, talent shows, ice fishing for the kids, 5K and 10K Road Race & Walk, ice mini-golf, dog sled rides, snowball football & softball, a Christmas tree bonfire, and a big fireworks display on Saturday night.
Distance: 0.5 miles
Hours of Operation: January 23-25, 2009

East Lake Okoboji - East Lake Okoboji begins at the foot of Big Spirit Lake, from which it is separated by a narrow isthmus, and runs south for approximately 16 miles.  The lake is shallow with an average depth of 10 feet and maximum depth of 22 feet.  Rich in ancient indian sites, the name "Oko" in Dakota means "Bull Rush."  Today, beautiful East lake is a favorite of fishermen and recreational boaters.
Distance: .25 miles

Upper Gar Lake - Upper Gar connects at the northern end of East Lake Okoboji and the southern end of Lake Minnewashta.  It is a small narrow lake with a maximum depth of approximately 5 feet.  Its depth and size impose a 5mph speed limit for boats on the lake, making it unsuited for many of the recreational activities enjoyed at the area's larger lakes.  Those same reasons, however, make Upper Gar an ideal lake for fishing and swimming.  Upper Gar offers some of the best hiking and biking trails in the area.  The eastern shore of Upper Gar Lake is nearly all part of the Upper Gar Wildlife Management Area, offering trails through the watershed with the opportunity to explore the native wildlife.
Distance: 1 mile

Lake Minnewashta - Located in Arnolds Park, Lake Minnewashta is the "bridge" between Upper Gar Lake and Lower Gar Lake.  It lies at the lower end of the chain of interconnected lakes that form the bulk of the Iowa Great Lakes.  Lake Minnewashta ranges in depth from 5-15 feet.  The lake has a number of sandy beaches for swimming and sunning.  Minnewashta in particular is one of the best fishing spots for bluegill, bullheads and smallmouth bass in the state.
Distance: 1 mile

Lower Gar Lake - Lower Gar Lake connects to Minnewashta and drains to the Little Sioux River. Lower Gar's more sheltered location makes it ideal for boating and water skiing when wind conditions limit these activities in larger lakes.
Distance: 1 mile

Emerson Bay - The Emerson Bay Recreation Area is located on the southwest shore of West Okoboji Lake.  It is the perfect place for all kinds of land and water activities.  The recreation area is a 120-acre playground of native plants and wildlife, with plenty of fun activities.  Boat ramps are conveniently placed, and there are plenty of nature trails as well as a lake-side observation platform -- a perfect location for bird-watching in the early morning and evening.  Pets are allowed in this area, so the family dog is welcomed.  There are some prime fishing spots in the area, with opportunities for shallow fishing in the bay and fishing in the deeper waters of the lake.  Fishing in and around Emerson Bay will yield yellow perch, bucktails, bulldogs, bluegills, and crank fish.  In the winter months, the mouth of the bay is a great spot for walleyes.
Address: 3100 Emerson Street, Okoboji, IA 51351
Phone (Summer): (712) 337-3805
Phone (Winter): (712) 337-3211

Green's Beach - One of Okoboji's most popular public swimming areas is Green's Beach.  Families enjoy Green's Beach because of the clear water and sandy shore.  It is an ideal place for a family picnic as the shoreline is sandy and children can swim safely or have fun exploring the shoreline.  Picnics and swimming at Green's Beach has lingered in the memories of many of West Okoboji residents and returning visitors!

Elinor Bedell State Park - Elinor Bedell State Park is Iowa's newest (1998) state park.  This 80 acre park is located on the shores of East Lake Okoboji and represents one of the last remaining open spaces in a region that is among Iowa's most popular tourist destination.  Several miles of trail will take you through wetlands, woodlands, and along the lakeshore.  A wildlife viewing blind is situated just off the trail for use by bird and wildlife watchers.
Phone: (712) 337-3211

Center Lake - Located between East and West Lake Okoboji, Center Lake covers about 263 acres of surface, with a shoreline of about 4.7 miles.  Its average depth is just under 12 feet, and its maximum depth is 17 feet.  It is the smallest of the Iowa Great Lakes, but its location and shape make it popular for swimming and boating.  Fishing is especially popular, and the local lakes boast over 45 species of fish, including 11 recognized sporting fish.  The Northern shoreline is public land preserved as wetlands and timber.  The Center Lake Wildlife Management Area and Kenue Park offer hiking trails and stunning views of the surrounding area.
Distance: .5 miles

Quick Area Guide

• West Lake Okoboji/Water Recreation 1.5 mi
• Arnolds Park Amusement Park 3.5 mi
• The Ranch Amusement Park 0.5 mi
• Brooks National Golf Course 0.1 mi
• Bike/Walking trail 0.1 mi
• Shopping 1 mi
• Lakes Art Center 1.5 mi
• Okoboji Summer Theatre 1.25 mi
• Abbie Gardner Sharp Historical Site 3.5 mi
• Local Nightlife and Restaurants 4 mi