Swim on Over to Lake Okoboji Iowa, Iowa!

Lake Okoboji is located in Northwestern Iowa and is a hidden treasure for Iowa residents. Home to Arnold's park, Lake Okoboji is comparable to Coney Island in atmosphere. It is however, a much shorter drive for Midwesterners!

Lake Okoboji is pronounced just like its spelled and is a beautiful getaway for a week or weekend, maybe longer. It is a beautiful beach location and a great place to sail, swim, Jet Ski, ski and of course, swim!

For over 100 years, Okoboji has been a great weekend getaway for families in the Midwest. The Iowa Great Lakes (yes, there are lakes in Iowa) are considered a recreational haven with everything from golfing to fishing, as well as nature trails and special shopping stores.

The uniqueness of the Iowa Lakes, including Lake Okoboji is that they were carved by former Iowa glaciers. The chain of lakes begins at the Minnesota border and continues southwest for approximately fifteen thousand acres. The Great Lakes include Spirit Lake, West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lower Gar and Minnewashta. The West Lake Okoboji is spring fed which makes it clean, bright blue, and beautiful! Lake Okoboji itself is approximately 134' deep and is in the center of the Iowa Lakes.

Activities included at the Iowa Lakes include boating, fishing, swimming, sailing, water-skiing, parasailing, canoeing, kayaking and maneuvering on other water crafts. There are also two amusement parks, a water park, seven golf courses, go-cart race tracks, mini-golf and tennis. And of course, there are over fourteen miles of nature trails. So be sure to pack the bikes, roller blades, skate boards, swim suits, sale boats, snorkels, goggles, and the kitchen sink.

There are also other activities for summer visitors to take part in. There is a great summer playhouse included in Okoboji, as well as movie theaters and art galleries. Live music is also abundant during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The specialty stores range from clothing to books, antiques to linens and much more. There is also a wide variety of restaurants to choose from in Okoboji.

Definitely a summer town, Okoboji is not only limited to the summer months.

In the winter months, the lake is a great setting for ice fishing, ice skating, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and hunting.

Okoboji also has Winter Games including fireworks on the ice.

Accomidations for tourists and families in clued full-service resorts and comfortable inns, as well as cottages and quiet campgrounds. Many corporations host retreats at the Okoboji location.

One very special attraction in Okoboji is Arnolds Park. The park is the oldest amusement park west of the Mississippi, and locals have fought hard to keep it open! The park features a premier golf course, a full-service marina and rentals of boats, watercraft, wakeboards, scooters and bicycles.

Arnolds Park also has plenty of local shops, restaurants and attractions. The population of Arnolds Park is just under 2000 residents, and the town keeps afloat due to the thousands of tourists that filter in and out of the park all summer long.

Another surrounding community located near Okoboji is that of Dickinson County. Dickinson County includes several waterfront locations. The county is home to over 16,000 residents and is quickly growing. Due to the high level of tourism, many seasonal jobs are available and these seasonal positions often turn into full time positions.

Another nearby community is Lake Park, which includes 1,023 residents. Lake Park is known for its recreational opportunities including a golf course, campgrounds, public swimming pool and recreational boating.

Visiting Lake Okoboji in Western Iowa is a great way to spend time with the family! With opportunities to golf, fish, sail, water ski, Jet Ski and much more you'll wonder why you haven't visited the Great Lakes of Iowa sooner!