Description
Clear Lake State Park is located on the southeast corner of the beautiful 3,643 acre Clear Lake, one of the major outdoor recreation features of northern Iowa. Although the state park is only 55 acres, it offers a tremendous diversity of recreational opportunities due to its location on the lake as well as its natural beauty. This park is characterized by rolling ground with open, mature groves of oak trees. Several small draws and thickets provide habitat for owls, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, many species of songbirds and an occasional deer. Scenic Woodford Island is a 3 acre island managed primarily for wildlife habitat and is an excellent spot for fishing.
Recreation:
Lake Activities
The 900 foot sandy beach offers unsupervised swimming and is a great place for swimmers and sunbathers, young and old.
Clear Lake is a great place for fishermen throughout the year. The lake offers good fishing for walleyes, muskie, northern pike, bullheads, catfish, yellow bass, crappies, and other panfish. Boaters enjoy skiing, jet skiing, sightseeing, wind surfing and sailing.
Facilities:
Picnicking/Shelter/Lodge
The park features more than 10 acres of picnic grounds with tables and grills. The shady picnic areas provide a great place for a family cookout. Playground equipment for small children is located in the picnic area adjacent to the campground. An open picnic shelter is available for online reservations.
A day-use lodge is located in the picnic area near the beach. Built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, this impressive historical facility is a great place for such group events as weddings, family reunions, company picnics, and other large group gatherings.
Camping Clear Lake State Park has one of the most popular campgrounds in the Iowa state park system. The campground contains a modern restroom, shower facilities and trailer dump station.
Nearby Attractions:
Clear Lake offers the small-town, welcoming atmosphere along with large-town attractions. Visit the legendary Surf Ballroom, the site of many performances and the last performance of Buddy Holly, or walk downtown along the brick sidewalks to shop the antique stores and boutiques. Plan a summer excursion aboard the Lady of the Lake or take a bike ride around the lake. McIntosh Woods State Park is located on the northwest portion of the lake.
Nearby Towns
The park lies adjacent to the town of Clear Lake which contains a thriving business and civic community. A short distance away (12 miles) lies Mason City, one of the largest retail centers in northern Iowa. The town of Ventura lies 6 miles away to the town of Garner is 13 miles away.
Alerts and Important Information
Entrance to Campground:
6490 S. Shore Dr.
Clear Lake, IA 50428