Plan the Ultimate Lake Life Summer Vacation in Okoboji

May 20, 2024

There’s nothing like a perfect Summer at the lake! The early morning sounds of the birds swooping and diving along the waterfront. The gentle sounds of the waves lapping against the sandy shores. The feeling of the sun on your face as you lounge lakeside at the beach. The calming motion of your kayak as you paddle across that aquatic acerage. That’s right, today’s Road Trip Travel Guide is all about the best places to visit along the shores of Lake Okoboji in Iowa, so you can live out your dreams of that luxurious Lake Life!

Enjoy the Great Outdoors and Level Up the Excitement

You don’t have to be a seasoned captain with your own watercraft to take advantage of those glistening waters. There are plenty of boat rental groups that would be happy to help you hit the waves in style. From Boat Okoboji Rentals, Oak Hill Marina, Triggs Bay Resort Watersport Rentals, Okoboji Boat world, Make-A-Wake Watersports and more, you’ll have your pick of watercraft from jet skis to kayaks to paddleboards to pontoons and motor boats!

Test your limits and get some fresh air during our stay! Hit the ground running by exploring some of these incredible local trails around and near Lake Okoboji! From hiking to trail running to cycling, there’s plentiful mileage to trod from gravel to concrete to asphalt surfaces. Choose from short trails like the Laurens Prairie Preservation Trail or Mill Creek Fitness Trail or Sneakers Run, intermediate length trails like Sheldon Recreational Trail, Ed Winkel Memorial Trail, Jackson Trail System, or lengthier ones like Spencer Recreational Trail and Iowa Great Lakes Trail.

Immerse yourself in nature and learn about the local wildlife in the Okoboji area. The Dickinson County Nature Center offers exhibits and events highlighting local animals, plants, habitats, and environment of the local region. Gull Point State Park is perfect for camping, hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and aquatic activities like kayaking or canoeing and fishing! Mini-Wakan State Park is a prime spot for fishing and boating enthusiasts. Marble Beach State Park has a beautiful sandy beach that’s perfect for water sports and fishing. Other local and regional state parks include Elinor Bedell State Park, Emerson Bay State Park, Orleans Beach State Park, and Pikes Point State Park. No matter if your interests are sailing, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping…you’ll have a blast!

Immerse yourself in arts and entertainment during your Okoboji vacation, and refuel for your next stop with a delicious meal!

Surprising no one at all, we’re going to start our entertainment portion by highlighting one of our favorite interests: Cars! Okoboji Classic Cars is the destination for automotive enthusiasts of all ages. Tour the “Man Cave Showroom” and see some of the finest vintage and classic cars at the retro inspired show room. It’s clean, spacious, pristine, and impressive! We also can’t say enough wonderful things about the The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, featuring historic boats and sailing paraphernalia! Both of them are must-visit attractions in the area. History buffs will be fascinated at the Higgins Museum of National Banknotes where you can learn a little bit about the history of US currency and the economy! The Clark Museum of Okoboji Area and Iowa History sheds some light on local lore and history and has a unique exhibit of local artifacts and photographs.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment by catching a musical or play at the Okoboji Summer Theatre for their seasonal series. The Lake Pearson Arts Center is one-stop shopping for multiple forms of arts and entertainment from drop-in art classes to juried art gallery exhibits ro “Art in the Park” events to live theatre and performance. Enjoy the exhilarating live music experience with rock, country, pop concerts and more at “Love at the Lake” at Arnold’s Park Amusement Park where you’ll find tribute bands, major label artists, and ensemble tours. We also love the Iowa Rock N Roll Museum Museum and Association for music enthusiasts who want a little more hands-on entertainment than just live performances!

There are plenty of amazing eateries in the area as well, with many focusing on American Classic Cuisine, Fresh Seafood and Award-winning Steaks, and plenty of handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy dinner and a show at venues such as Captain’s Getaway, The Barefoot Bar, Okoboji Store Bar & Kitchen, and The Gardens who offer a wonderful rotation of live entertainment and local artists along with food and drink. Locals also recommend restaurants like SmackHaus, Tavern at the Park, Prime Boji, Maxwell’s Beach Cafe, Burger & Company, and Toast on Hill as top notch eateries.

As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun in the Okoboji and lakes region! If you’ve got a recommendation for a fun experience, excursion, or entertainment, we’re all ears! Let us know in the comments on our social media and your suggestions may make it into a future blog update.