Area Travel - AmericInn® of Okoboji, IA
Welcome to Beautiful Iowa! Read about Okoboji attractions and things to do:
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.
A wealth of public hunting area abounds in Dickinson County that attracts hunters from far-ranging areas who come in pursuit of the fruitful waterfowl and upland opportunities. The autumn and winter seasons offer diverse hunting adventures on varied landscapes, from sovereign lakes and expansive uplands to intimate wetlands and cozy woodlands. In the off-season, all of the public hunting areas, in addition to other nature areas and public state parks, become wonderful places to hike, bird watch, canoe, kayak, and cross country ski or just plain walk and observe.
Also enjoy the exciting snowmobile trails interconnected throughout the tri-county area. Explore more than 1,100 square miles of snow-laden lakes, rivers and rural riding.
Ice-fishing is becoming more popular in the Iowa Great Lakes and it is sure to put a smile on your face and fish in your bucket. Big Spirit Lake has become the most popular for those seeking walleye. Perch are also common fish to be sought after and caught in the crystal clear waters of the Iowa Great Lakes.
The AmericInn of Okoboji hotel is conveniently located in Okoboji only minutes from all attractions. We offer 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 official 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 Okoboji is a mythical, yet vibrant, college of fun and spirit of goodwill. The University of Okoboji is a fictitious university 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 souvenir. 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.
Distance: 3.5 miles
Phone: 712-332-2183
Hours of Operation: Open the middle of May through the first week in September
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
Hours of Operation: Open the middle of May through the first week of September
Okoboji 4th of July Fireworks - What is always after 10 pm on the 4th of July at Arnolds Park Amusement Park and always the holiday highlight? It’s the 4th of July Fireworks! The lights on the spectator boats rival the fireworks and help make the night one to remember all year. Want to have twice the fun? Check out the fireworks on Big Spirit Lake on July 3rd.
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.
Address:1201 Brooks Park Lane, Okoboji, IA 51355
Distance: .01 miles
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 - Dickinson County Recreational Trails The Iowa Great Lakes Trail winds its way through the Iowa Great Lakes region, which offers plenty of outdoor opportunities for visitors-from its popular blue lakes and sandy beaches to quieter natural areas, many protected with INHF assistance. The multi-use Iowa Great Lakes Trail provides local citizens and visitors a safe place to bike, walk, rollerblade, run and cross-country ski. The trail winds along rural, community and nature areas in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes Region, including Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park and Milford. The “spine” of the system is a 14-mile, ten-foot wide, hard-surface trail that accommodates two-way recreational traffic. Connecting to the spine trail are several other shorter trails to explore, including the Kenue Park Trail, Arnolds Park City Trail and Spirit Lake City trail. The trail has already been extended and now loops around the East side of Spirit Lake. Future plans are to continue the expansion so the trail borders the entire lake.
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 Higgins Museum of National Bank Notes - Visitors to the Higgins Museum have the opportunity to view and enjoy the largest collection of National Bank Note issues on permanent exhibit anywhere in the country. The Museum opened in 1978, its stated purpose being the acquisition, preservation and display of the notes, related artifacts and pertinent reference materials relating to the National Bank Note issuance era for educational purposes. Many people regard these notes as America’s Commemorative paper money. The Landing of Columbus, the embarkation of the Pilgrims, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other great events of our history are illustrated on the notes of the first charter period. All of the notes honor the towns, the banks, and many thousands of individuals who played key roles in the development of our country and its resources. We feel fortunate to have this Museum and these great reminders of our heritage.
Address: 1507 Sanborn Ave., Okoboji, IA 51355
Phone: 712-332-5859
Hours of Operation: Open the middle of May through the middle of September.
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 5-13, 2009
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. On the south end, a lift is opened in the winter, where visitors may enjoy snow skiing, sledding or snowtubing. There is also a shelter with a large circular fireplace and sitting area for visitors burdened by the harsh cold of Iowa winters.
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
Freda Haffner Kettlehole Preserve - This unique natural feature must be seen to be appreciated. As you arrive, all that's visible is a long stretch of meadow. A walk along a trail brings you to the lip of the largest "kettlehole" in Iowa, and one of the largest in the nation! Kettleholes are formed when a chunk of a receding glacier (ours being about 13,000 years ago) breaks off and melts slowly in place. The result is a steep-sided bowl-shaped depression with a pond due to snow and rain accumulation (no water outlet or inlet). To the west is a breath-taking view of the Little Sioux River valley. The Nature Conservancy and Iowa Lakeside Laboratory have studied the area extensively, identifying 326 plant species. The preserve is located of 210th Street, two miles west of Highway 86.
Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area - This national natural landmark is an expansive 1680 acre prairie and among the finest remaining examples of Iowa's historic landscape. Combining wetlands, open-field uplands, woods, and lakes it is also the headquarters of northwest Iowa's Big Sioux Wildlife Management Unit. A system of public hiking trails for viewing wildlife includes walks up the high, wooded "hogsback" ridge for which the area is named. The hogsback rises nearly 40 feet, and it narrowly separates Marble Lake on the east from Hottes Lake on the west. Following the trail as far east as possible takes hikers past Sunken Lake, another glacial kettle. The lakes and wetlands are a refuge for Giant Canada geese, reintroduced to Iowa in 1964 and now the most commonly seen waterfowl in the area.
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 Winery 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 of 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
Guided Fishing in Okoboji - JTG Expeditions, your Okoboji, Iowa, fishing guide, provides all your fishing equipment...rods, reels, bait and tackle and you'll head straight to the fish. All you have to do is dress appropriately and bring something to eat or drink if you wish. You can expect to catch bluegills, smallmouth bass, walleyes, largemouth bass and maybe even a northern or muskie.
Ice fishing is a rapidly growing sport. JTG Expeditions fishes Spirit Lake and West Lake Okoboji in the winter. West Okoboji is a very unique lake to ice fish because of its clarity. Most days you can actually watch the fish eat your bait. JTG Expeditions has several portable heated ice fishing shacks for some of the best ice fishing in Iowa and the upper midwest.
Phone:For bookings contact John Grosvenor at 712-330-5815
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
Pikes Point State Park - Pikes Point State Park is situated on West Lake Okoboji 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. Pikes Point is a great place for a family picnic. There are several picnic tables located throughout this nicely shaded area with a great view of West Lake Okoboji. There is also a CCC stone shelter that is available for rent and may be reserved online through the park reservations system. To make reservations visit https://eservices.iowa.gov/iowaparks/
Address: 15973 213th Avenue Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Phone: 712-337-3805
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. 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. 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 reservations system at https://eservices.iowa.gov/iowaparks/.
Address: 1500 Harpen St., Wahpeton, IA 51351
Distance: 3.0 miles
Phone: 712-337-3870
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 29, 30 & 31, 2010
Big Spirit Lake - Big Spirit, Iowa's largest natural lake, is approximately 5,684 acres in area. The Dakotah Indian name for the lake was Minnewaukon. Early French traders named it Lac D'Esprit after the Indan legends of an evil spirit which dwelled in the lake. Geologically, the lake, like its neighbors, is a glacial pothole, a remnant of the most recent ice age approximately 13,000 years ago. Big Spirit's average depth is 17 feet, it's deepest point being 24 feet. The lake is a popular fishing destination in the region. It contains over 40 species of fish, 13 of which are typically caught. Fishing for walleye and yellow perch is typically done by boat or through the ice. Fishing for bullhead is common from the shore during the spring.
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, bullheads, bluegills, and catfish. 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 - Located at Terrace Park, 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!
Orleans Beach - Grab your towel and a snack and spend a relaxing day at the beach. Orleans Beach offers a long sand beach complete with off-shore diving platform. Bordering the Big Spirit Lake spillway and across from the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery.
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
Great Lakes Cinema 7 - Okoboji’s premiere movie theatre, boasting 7 movie screens. Enjoy your visit to the movies in air conditioned comfort. Featuring a full service concession stand serving delicious popcorn, your favorite candy and soft drinks. For your convenience there's plenty of free parking.
Address:1698 Exchange Street, Okoboji, IA 51355
Distance: .10 miles
Phone: 712-332-7553
Wild Rose Casino- The new Wild Rose Casino in Emmetsburg is one of the premier gaming facilities in the Midwest, where visitors come for a good time. The 16,800 square-foot casino boasts 550 state-of-the-art slot machines with ticket-in/ticket-out technology and 17 exciting table games.
Address:777 Main St., Emmetsburg, IA 50536
Distance: 43 miles
Phone: 712-852-3400
Pheasant Hunting - Does the thrill of a big ring-neck pheasant busting from the grass make your heart thump? If so, the Iowa Great Lakes area is the place to be during the fall and winter hunting season. Pheasants and waterfowl are in abundance in the Iowa Great Lakes and you can experience a variety of different hunting landscapes including: uplands, wetlands and woodlands.
The popular Okoboji Game Farm provides you a guided opportunity to hunt pheasants. A licensed hunting preserve, their pheasant hunting season is extended from October 1st until March 31st. Featuring 880 acres of habitat which includes the following: tall brome grass, stripped standing corn, cedar and shrub hedges, marshes, ponds and cattails, and short grass for young dogs and young hunters. You are sure to make lasting memories of days spent in the Okoboji outdoors with family, friends, and your faithful canine hunting companion.
Okoboji Game Farm LLC
Address: 2757 260th St., Milford, IA 51351
Phone: (712) 853-6378
Okoboji History - The Native Americans had lived in what is now the Iowa Great Lakes for hundreds of years prior to European settlement. The Dakota or Eastern Sioux were probably the most significant Native Americans who called the lake "Okoboozhy" which has been variously interpreted to mean "river of rushes" or "place of rest". French trappers arrived in the 17th century, and were followed by the first settlers around the time of Iowa statehood. The pioneers arrived by wagon and began to break the prairie sod. As the prairie yielded to farmland, towns began to arise. Dickinson County was named for New York Senator, Daniel Dickinson, and was established in 1856. The Iowa Great Lakes became known far and wide as a destination for travelers seeking their beauty and tranquility. Many families began a tradition of annual vacations to the lakes. The Great Lakes were a logical place early in the twentieth century for the establishment of state parks and other public outdoor recreation areas.
