Our Iowa Great Lakes communities offer many fun and relaxing recreational things
for you and your family to enjoy.

Iowa's Great Lakes are one of the most popular resort areas in the state year round. Six lakes: Big Spirit, the largest lake in the region, and West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lower Gar, and Minnewashta, a chain of glacier-created lakes, offer unlimited recreational activities. Wish to explore? Our lakes area marinas and outfitters are always available to provide our Iowa lakes region residents & visitors equipment rentals and guide services.

Snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and hunting are popular winter activities. In January, the lake region hosts the University of Okoboji Winter Games, three days of indoor and outdoor sporting events and game competitions.
 

There are many state parks and public hunting/recreational areas surrounding the lake. Along with camping and lake access, these areas are popular for bird watching, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Recreational trails throughout the area are open for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Fourteen miles of trails pass along the lakes and connect the towns of Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park, and Milford. There are eight area golf courses with 9- and 18-hole courses.

The towns on the shores of the lakes have a fun atmosphere. There are several amusement parks like the Arnolds Park Amusement Park where visitors can ride a wooden roller coaster, and water parks such as Bridges Bay. The towns surrounding the lakes offer art galleries, antique shops, museums, and lake-view restaurants.

There is no shortage of family fun, shopping, dining, recreation and entertaining things to do when it comes to our Iowa Great Lakes and its surrounding communities.

   Come enjoy all the wonders that surround you.

Please take a moment to visit our "Things To Do" page sponsors: