Clear Lake State Park

Closed — Closed for the season through March 31, 2026. The south half of the campground is closed through June 30, 2026, for renovations. Both modern shower buildings are closed for renovations with completion planned by May 16, 2026; vault toilets and portable toilets are available. Regular season operations run April 1 through November 30, with camping typically opening April 1.

About

Clear Lake State Park occupies 55 acres on the southeast corner of Clear Lake, a 3,643-acre natural lake renowned as one of northern Iowa's major outdoor recreation features. The campground is among the most popular in Iowa's state park system, offering 173 campsites including 168 electric sites, 8 full hookup sites with water and sewer, and 5 non-electric sites. Many sites accommodate larger rigs with pull-through options and driveways up to 75 feet. The park's diverse recreational opportunities center around lake access. A 900-foot sandy beach provides unsupervised swimming, while the lake itself offers excellent year-round fishing for walleye, muskie, northern pike, bullheads, catfish, yellow bass, and crappies. Boaters enjoy water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. The park features rolling terrain with mature oak groves, and the 3-acre Woodford Island provides wildlife habitat and additional fishing access. Facilities include two modern restroom and shower buildings, two dump stations, water hydrants, and vault toilets. The park offers over 10 acres of picnic grounds with tables and grills, playground equipment, and a historic WPA-era day-use lodge built in 1938. The adjacent town of Clear Lake provides full services including the legendary Surf Ballroom. Reservations are required for all campsites through the Iowa State Parks reservation system.

Directions

Take exit 193 off I-35. Head west on Highway 106 until the first four-way stop. Turn left south on 8th Avenue and follow for about a mile. Turn right on 27th Street South and follow until the stop sign. Park entrance is across the road at 6490 S Shore Drive.

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