https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-10-largest-lakes-in-iowa.html Book your trip, outside & indoor activities, inexpensive things near me, kid friendly popular scenic places, vegan restaurants, breakfast places near me that are open, affordable biggest cities, getaway, what's near me, romantic getaways tomorrow, excursions, art, tours, towns: Fort Wayne Restaurants, Exton, Grapevine, Glen Rose, Mendocino Coast, Bellaire, Gatlinburg Restaurants, Flagstaff, Biloxi, California with Kids, Hanover, Gold Hill, Restaurants in Eugene, Hawaii with Kids, Day Trips from Orlando, Part of the chain of lakes known as the Iowa Great Lakes, West Okoboji Lake, also known as West Lake Okoboji, is a 1,557-hectare natural lake in northwest Iowa that is one of the most popular lakes in the region for excellent recreational activities. The 115-acre human-made lake features a large sandy beach for sunbathing and swimming, and activities on the lake range from pleasure and power boating, canoeing and kayaking to paddle-boating, jet-skiing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. Set within the southwest region of Iowa, Carter Lake is an oxbow lake that was formed in 1877 when the Missouri River changed its course. This 50 hectare reservoir sits just southeast of the city of Carroll. The 315-acre lake has an average depth of 8 feet and a maximum depth of 28 feet and is stocked with bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and the occasional walleye, making for excellent fishing. Other water-based activities include jet-skiing, sailing, waterskiing, and swimming, while the shoreline has lovely beaches for sunbathing and relaxing and several hiking and mountain trails. There were also eight parks built around the lake’s shoreline. Big Creek State Park: NW Big Creek Drive, Iowa, You are reading "25 Best Lakes in Iowa" Back to Top There are over 100 campsites within the park, all of which are full hook-up sites. Browse property descriptions, reviews, photos, video, rates, number of rooms, amenities, activities and much more. Iowa is bounded entirely by rivers to the east and the west, while the Des Moines River can be found at the south end of the state. Located along the Iowa River, Pine Lake is made up of two lakes, namely 50-acre Lower Pine Lake and 69-acre Upper Pine Lake, both of which offer excellent fishing for bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. In addition to fishing, many also come to enjoy kiteboarding. Show Prices . Brushy Creek State Recreation Area: 2802 Brushy Creek Road, Lehigh, IA 50557, You are reading "25 Best Lakes in Iowa this Weekend with Friends" Back to Top or More places to see near me today, what to do, weekend trips Okamanpeedan Lake is a popular vacation spot thanks to its recreational activities. This area is composed of glacial drift (gravel, sand, or clay that is picked up and deposited by the glacier as it moves) and was formed by Pre-Illinoian glaciers around 300,000 years ago. Iowa Lakes Valuation Project. It is, however, a popular fishing destination due to its abundance of bullheads, and sees more relaxing pursuits such as boating, sailing, and swimming. Iowa is full of wonderful state, county, and city parks, and if we had to pick a favorite…we couldn’t! Full kitchen with washer/dryer. There are also plenty of things to do on shore, like picnicking, bird watching and hiking. It was extremely windy when we stayed, so we didn't go swimming, but we did enjoy sitting out by the lake. Lake Geode is a pristine 187-acre lake set in 1,640-acre Lake Geode State Park that was built in 1950 and has been a favorite recreational destination for decades. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. The lake is a glacial pothole that dates back to the Ice Age. The 387 hectare lake is the country’s southernmost glacial lake. Southern Iowa Drift Plain The Southern Iowa Drift Plain is the largest of the landform regions and is located in the southern part of Iowa. 4. Named by the Dakota Native Americans, who believed the lake was guarded by evil spirits, Spirit Lake is Iowa's largest natural lake with a surface area of 5,684 acres, 16 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 24 feet. Camping, boating, picnicking, fishing and hunting are popular activities enjoyed at the lake. 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