Top 15 Things To Do In Spirit Lake, Iowa

things to do in Spirit-Lake IA
Tenissa
Tenissa 
Updated
| 6 min read

Nestled in Dickinson County, Spirit Lake is a place to stop, see, and explore for a couple of days in Iowa. You’d have no reason to stay holed up in your hotel or Airbnb vacation rental as there are plenty of activities to fill your itinerary. Spirit Lake is blessed with a myriad of parks–some of them are featured in this article. Other than parks and natural beauty, Spirit Lake is also a place where you can hunt for antique and vintage items. If you want to catch a good movie or play golf, you can also find such attractions in Spirit Lake. Read on to learn more about the best things to do in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Plan your itinerary right away and enjoy the beautiful city.

1. Enjoy camping at Elinor Bedell State Park


There are many ways to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of nature. One of them is through camping. Not all parks are suitable for camping but there is a park in Spirit Lake where you can enjoy camping. Make a stop at Elinor Bedell State Park, one of the relatively new parks in Iowa. Set along the shore of Iowa Great Lakes Region, Elinor Bedell State Park features numerous RV campsites. Do not worry about facilities because each campsite is equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table. You can also enjoy a modern restroom. Other than campsites, the park also boasts paved hiking trails and a playground, among others.

Elinor Bedell State Park

Address: 1619 260th Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Elinor Bedell State Park

Opening hours: 4am - 10:30pm (daily)

Price: From 17 USD

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2. Spend a day out at Templar State Recreation Area

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Those who are into outdoor activities will find Templar State Recreation Area exciting. Featuring one picnic shelter and two gazebos, Templar State Recreation Area makes an excellent place to enjoy family picnics and gathering in the midst of nature. Other recreational activities that you can also enjoy here include boating and fishing for its location that is along the west side of Big Spirit Lake.

Templar State Recreation Area

Address: 13185 S Templar Dr, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Templar State Recreation Area

Opening hours: 4am - 10:30pm (daily)

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3. Enjoy shopping at Great Lakes Mall

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Iowa Great Lakes Mall on Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Shopping is a must, no matter where you are at. If you are looking for a place where you can indulge in shopping for the whole day, Great Lakes Mall will not disappoint. The mall features numerous fine shopping options, from fashion and home decor to jewelry and delightful gifts, you can find them all here. Those who want to relax for a little while and get a manicure and a pedicure can also find a good place in this mall.

Great Lakes Mall

Address: 1539 18th St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Great Lakes Mall

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6:30pm; Sat: 9am - 5:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

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4. Go for a bike ride at Mini-Wakan State Park


Nestled on the north side of Big Spirit Lake, Mini-Wakan State Park can accommodate your needs of outdoor activities. The state park is particularly popular for biking. As you are riding your bike, make sure to pause every now and then and look around you. Marvel at the beauty of Big Spirit Lake and the open green space. Other than riding a bike, visitors are also welcome to enjoy a swim, a hike and a picnic.

Mini-Wakan State Park

Address: 24490 100th St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Opening hours: 4am - 10:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

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5. Have a fun picnic at Pikes Point State Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Set along West Okoboji Lake, Pikes Point State Park is a popular place for the locals to enjoy a fun picnic with their family or friends. The state park offers several picnic tables in a shaded area so you will not have to worry about the strike from the sun in an afternoon. While enjoying a chit-chat with your loved ones, you will be presented with the stunning view of West Okoboji Lake. There is also a stone shelter that is available for reservation if you are interested. Other than picnic areas, Pikes Point State Park also features a popular swim beach named Pikes Point Beach. Whether you want to sunbathe, play on the sand or soak in the water, you can do all of them on the beach.

Pikes Point State Park

Address: 15973 213th Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Pikes Point State Park

Opening hours: 4am - 10:30pm (daily)

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6. Indulge in craft beers at Okoboji Brewing Company

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Okoboji Brewing Company on Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Instead of being stuck in your accommodation at night, you should come out and drive to Okoboji Brewing Company to indulge in craft beers and mingle with the local people. They brew their own beers, including nine craft beers and a sarsaparilla, right at this place. The craft beers are on tap and they may change according to the season. When you are indulging in your favorite beer, you can also enjoy some games, a TV, and free wireless internet.

Okoboji Brewing Company

Address: 3705 US-71, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Okoboji Brewing Company

Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Thu: 4pm - 8pm; Fri: 4pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 2pm - 6pm (closed on Tue)

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7. Go fishing at Marble Beach State Recreation Area

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Head to Marble Beach State Recreation Area for fun fishing activities. Challenge yourself to various game fish, including bluegills, catfish, and bullheads. Once you are done fishing, you can enjoy other activities within the recreation area because it features canoeing and boating facilities, jet skiing and kayaking facilities, and hiking trails, among others. There is also a campground that offers non-electric and electric sites.

Marble Beach State Recreation Area

Address: 12320 240th Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Marble Beach State Recreation Area

Opening hours: 4am - 10:30pm (daily)

Price: From 11 USD

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8. Shop for your favorite sweets at Goodies Handmade Candies

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Goodies Handmade Candies on Friday, April 15, 2022

Candies and chocolates are going to make your vacation in Spirit Lake much sweeter. To accompany your adventure as you are moving from one attraction to another, shop for your favorite candies and chocolates at Goodies Handmade Candies. From fudge and peanut butter bars to truffles and caramels, all can be found at this store.

Goodies Handmade Candies

Address: 2321 30th St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Goodies Handmade Candies

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)

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9. Watch a movie at Superior 71 Drive-In Theater

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Superior 71 Drive In on Wednesday, July 10, 2019

You do not have to miss your favorite movie being played in the cinema even when you are far away from home. Enjoy a good movie at Superior 71 Drive In Theater. Instead of watching a movie from a comfortable seat in a cinema, you can catch a movie right from the comfort of your own car. The theater features bright and clear digital projection and sound. Don’t forget your popcorn, sandwich, burger and drinks.

Superior 71 Drive-In Theater

Address: 1482 300th Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Superior 71 Drive-In Theater

Opening hours: Thu - Sun: vary (closed from Mon - Wed)

Price: 8 USD

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10. Play basketball at Gilbert Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Sitting along the shoreline of East Lake Okoboji, Gilbert Park is a lovely park where you can enjoy some basketball with your loved ones or even make friends and play a game with the locals. After you are done playing basketball, you can relax for a bit at one of the picnic tables available. In addition to a basketball court and several picnic tables, Gilbert Park also comes with a playground, grills, and park benches.

Gilbert Park

Address: 601 Hill Ave, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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11. Practice your swing at Okoboji View Golf Course

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Okoboji View Golf Course on Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Book a tee time for some golf time at Okoboji View Golf Course, which is famous for its 18-hole golf course, that has been open to public since 1962. Find a way to avoid a water hazard that crosses the fairway in front of an elevated green. Numerous water hazards and sand bunkers are a challenge, even for a pro golfer. While golfing, make sure to take a break to marvel at the views of West Lake Okoboji and the surrounding area.

Okoboji View Golf Course

Address: 1665 IA-86, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Okoboji View Golf Course

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: From 36 USD

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12. Make a splash at Memorial Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

There is something about the water that can elevate everyone’s mood. To have fun at a splash pad, there is no place better than Memorial Park. What is amazing about this park is that other than the splash pad, it comes with other recreational options for families, especially those with little children. You can also enjoy two fishing or boat docks along with playground equipment, a horseshoe court, walking path, bike trail, benches, picnic tables, and grills.

Memorial Park

Address: 300 Lake St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)

Price: Free

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13. Savor good food and drinks at McKeen's Pub & Grill

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by McKeen's Pub & Grill on Thursday, September 30, 2010

When hunger strikes out of nowhere in the middle of an evening, you should not worry because Spirit Lake is loaded with a myriad of superb restaurants. One of them is McKeen’s Pub & Grill, a place where you can relax over drinks and good food to comfort your stomach. Grilled sirloins on a summer night sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? Available menu items include meat and cheese nachos, cod basket, potato salad, ribeye steak sandwich, halibut sandwich, Southwest grill, and fried salmon.

McKeen's Pub & Grill

Address: 2608 22nd St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: McKeen’s Pub & Grill

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

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14. Try tacos and other Mexican dishes at Taco John's

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Oh you wanted a twist? How about our new Honey BBQ Fried Chicken Tacos? With a sweet & smoky flavor, this sauce is a...

Posted by Taco John's on Sunday, July 17, 2022

What if you suddenly have a crave Mexican dishes? You’re in luck because Spirit Lake also has a nice Mexican restaurant. Make a stop at Taco John’s to try tacos and other Mexican dishes. Does crispy taco sound tempting enough? If one taco is not enough for you, Taco John’s serves a bunch of tacos in a bundle. Share the joy of great Mexican dishes with all your loved ones or enjoy them all for yourself, it really is up to you. Other than tacos, you should also try the potato oles, meat and potato burrito, pumpkin churro and Mexican donut bites–basically everything they offer is good to try.

Taco John's

Address: 2329 Circle Dr W, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Website: Taco John’s

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 9pm; Sun: 8am - 9pm

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15. Shop vintage finds at Spirit Lake Antique Mall

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Spirit Lake Antique Mall on Saturday, May 28, 2022

Last but not least, your vacation in Spirit Lake will not be complete without making a visit to Spirit Lake Antique Mall. As soon as you enter the antique mall, it will feel as if you were taken back into a past era. Are you looking for delicate jewelry or is it pristine furniture that you want to buy? You can find whatever it is you are looking for at Spirit Lake Antique Mall. The good news is, other than a vast array of antiques, the mall also offers free wireless internet access for the most delightful shopping experience.

Spirit Lake Antique Mall

Address: 2015 18th St, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, USA

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

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Spirit Lake will give you wonderful memories

New Dickinson County Courthouse, Spirit Lake, IA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user TheCatalyst31 used under CC0

Spirit Lake is indeed the place for you to enjoy a short escape in Iowa. Make sure that you do not miss even a single activity mentioned above if you want to have a fantastic vacation in Spirit Lake because wonderful memories are to be made here.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Tenissa is a content writer, translator and editor. She enjoys being a globetrotter and has traveled to many countries around the world. So far, her favourite destination is Switzerland. She looks...Read more

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