TheLakeInsiderThe insider's guide to America's luxury lakes
← West Okoboji Lake
West Okoboji Lake · The outdoor list

Trails, docks, farms, markets.

The boat launch with the deepest channel. The trail to the gorge. The farm stand that takes Venmo. The icon you've heard of and the one you haven't.

Parks & trails

1 listed
  • Dickinson County
    Iowa Great Lakes Trail
    Editor's pick

    A paved, roughly 14-mile trail connecting Spirit Lake, Okoboji, West Okoboji, Arnolds Park, and Milford, part of a roughly 50-mile multi-use trail network through Dickinson County.

Farms

1 listed
  • Milford
    Little Sioux Orchard
    Editor's pick

    A pick-your-own apple orchard on 160th Ave in Milford, with a corn maze, hayrides, and raspberries, open mid-August through October.

    Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12–4pm (in season)(712) 320-8707

Farmers markets

1 listed
  • Spirit Lake
    Lakes Area Farmers Market
    Editor's pick

    A regional farmers market at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds selling produce, honey, baked goods, and crafts, running late May through September.

    Wed 3:30–7pm, Sat 7:30am–12pm (seasonal)

Boat launches

2 listed
  • Arnolds Park
    Oak Hill Marina
    Editor's pick

    A boat, jet ski, and UTV dealership and rental operation on Highway 71 S in Arnolds Park, operating since 1992.

    Tue–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–3pm, closed Sun–Mon(712) 332-2701
  • Okoboji
    Okoboji Boat Works
    Editor's pick

    A full-service marina on Lake Shore Dr directly on West Okoboji Lake, with boat slips, pontoon and fishing-boat rentals, a 24-hour gas dock, and a ship store.

    Mon–Sat 8am–5pm, Sun 12–5pm(712) 332-9904

Iconic stops

2 listed
  • Arnolds Park
    Arnolds Park Amusement Park
    Editor's pick

    A lakeshore amusement park established in 1889 and operated today by the nonprofit Historic Arnolds Park Inc. Its wooden Legend roller coaster dates to 1927 and is commonly described as among the oldest operating wooden coasters in the country.

    Seasonal, daily 10am–9/10pm (peak summer)(712) 332-2183Visit site ↗
  • Arnolds Park
    Roof Garden Ballroom
    Editor's pick

    A historic dance hall on the amusement park grounds, opened in 1923 and hosting touring acts from the Glenn Miller Orchestra to Johnny Cash through 1988. Rebuilt and reopened as a roughly 1,200-capacity concert venue.