Outdoors

Spirit Lake Spillway

Looking for some entertainment with the kids on a nice summer weekend, come check out the Spillway. The Spillway connects Big Spirit Lake to East Lake Okoboji allowing overflow water to move from Big Spirit Lake to the chain of lakes. This helps keep water levels under control on Big Spirit.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you may see hundreds, if not thousands of fish, mostly carp swimming upstream, it’s a neat site to see.

While you are here, you can launch your boat for a day on the lake, or you can visit Orleans Beach next door. Or you can grab lunch at the Spillway Drive In.

Your family deserves advanced dental care provided in a warm, friendly environment. Hill Avenue Dental excels in giving people of all ages beautiful smiles and healthy teeth. Your comfort is the highest priority of Dr. Dotson and Dr. Hartzell and their skilled dental care team.

West Boutique located at Okoboji Boat Works Marina carries all of the latest fashions for women of all ages and sizes.
Available brands: Free People, Anama, Velvet Heart, KUT Denim, Articles of Society, Grace in LA, Lush, Willow & Clay, Pink Martini, Pixie Mood, and more!

Los Pueblos is a family owned business known for serving some of the best food around with a very festive atmosphere. Enjoy one of their famous margaritas while you munch on some chips and salsa. Whether you are in the mood for enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, or fish tacos, they have something the whole family can enjoy!

Nectar is a fun, seasonal coffee shop, serving from a cute camper within walking distance to Arnolds Park Amusement Park! Nectar offers fresh-pressed juices, espresso drinks, REAL fruit smoothies, and baked treats - making Summer in Boji even better!

St Alban’s Episcopal Church
23rd St & Zenith Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Services
Sunday at 10 a.m.
Tuesday at 9 a. m. (Holy Eucharist-no music)

Athletic Republic Spirit
1380 Lake St
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Located behind Central Bank in Spirit Lake, just one block off of Hwy 9 and 71.

24 hour health club with free weights, machine weights, cardio machines, as well as kettle balls, battle ropes and more.

Athletic Republic and Levi Markwardt have developed a great reputation throughout the Iowa Great Lakes area for Adult personal training and Performance training for athletes.

Call for more info at 712-336-4040

Milford Communications
906 Okoboji Ave
Milford, IA 51351

Milford Communications offers Cable Television, High Speed Internet, Telephone Service and different bundled packages. I speak from my experience with them, they have VERY good service and I am very satisfied with the internet service we get at our house.

Milford Communications offers service to the Milford area for residential customers and may be able to help you with Commercial High Speed internet outside of just Milford, give them a call if you want to see if you are in their service area.

Allure & Co. is a great one stop shop with many businesses all in one building! Home decor, rugs, furniture, lighting, a yoga studio, photographer, hair salon, massage and a coffee shop all under one roof! They offer so many great brands to provide some great shopping in the lakes area. The staff is very friendly which makes it a fun place to shop.

Hibachi 88 is a great place to enjoy Chinese food and sushi! They have a large dinner menu and also have a separate lunch menu. If you don't feel like going out or cooking at home call for take out there is something for everyone. If you are a sushi fan make sure to try the Boston roll it is one of my favorites!

Dr. Laura Ingwersen is located on Hwy 71 on the South end of Milford next to Subway.
Laura works with all ages to help relieve back pain, neck pain, headaches, as well as muscular tightens and other adjustments. She will determine the root of your pain and create a chiropractic and/or wellness plan to suit you.
Laura is a very friendly, professional chiropractic option. We have taken our children to Laura and are very impressed with her and the kids really like her.

3401 Berquist Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Local hardware store in Spirit Lake owned by Gary & Peggy Fick & Cynthia Fick. The selection and the service are excellent at Ace Hardware, if you have a need they are quick at helping you find it. You can find Ace HW by going on Hwy 71 South from Walmart, it is located on the East side of the road at the 3rd stop light.

Open at 7:30 am Monday through Saturday and 10 am on Sunday.

Ace Hardware has more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and 70 countries. Each store is independently owned.

Minervas is located in the Arrowwood Resort in Okoboji. Their menu offers a little of everything! From classic pastas and aged steaks to seafood everyone will leave satisfied. They offer a great "Pick Two" option for lunch and the atmosphere is excellent. They also do a pasta night that seems to be a staple in the community. Getting to pick your sauce and everything that goes into your pasta which is then made right in front of you is certainly a treat for the whole family!

Test By QA Area

Here's the scenario. You are building a house or remodeling your house. Material costs are up. Labor costs are up. You ask yourself, where can I save a buck? Before answering this question, you must be careful, especially if your home is located in an area where other quality homes are built, whether on the lake, off the lake, or in higher valued developments such as golf course developments, etc. Growing up in construction and with a plethora of new construction and remodels under my belt, let me share with you some of the easy things that your future buyers will recognize when they are looking for quality.
1. One of the first things buyers of higher end homes will look for is to determine if the owner used hollow core doors. It's an immediate sign that the seller was looking for ways to save money (where else then did they cut back that I can't see???)
2. The second most obvious is the counter tops. Did the sellers spend for a quality granite, quartz, or other hard surface, or was formica used?
3. The third item that might stick out is the cabinetry. Do the drawers have dovetail construction with hardwoods? Did they use "soft close" drawers? Are there pull outs for the pots and pans?
4. Flooring is an easy one also. Was laminate used, or is it engineered or hardwoods? Does the carpet convey a quality feel and plushness? Is there a nice thick pad underneath the carpet?
5. Though there are many other items to look at, cheap vs quality lighting and plumbing fixtures are probably the next major focus.

There is nothing wrong with with using lower cost materials, especially when trying to keep a project within budget, especially when trying to build more house for less money. Just be aware that most buyers looking to spend in excess of $300k for off lake homes and $500+ for East Lake chain homes, and $1M+ for West and Big Spirit will expect the very best materials and finishes.

Mother Nature's is an American Restaurant Style bar/restaurant/lounge. Mother Nature's has been a local Estherville bar and grill since 1978. Stop in for the best burgers and steaks in town!

Jimmy John's slices our all-natural meats and fresh veggies in-house every day. Our fresh-baked bread is made right here where you can see it, and our house-made tuna salad is fresh every day. The flavor of a ripe tomato, crisp shredded lettuce, combined with fresh-baked bread, fresh-sliced meat and real Hellmann's mayo - that's when the magic happens. Made with love every single day since 1983. That's Jimmy Fresh!

Light of the Lakes Friends Church
10 Hwy 71 N
Arnolds Park, IA 51331

Services
Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Keelson Harbour
2810 Aurora Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Keelson Harbour offers assisting living apartments. 42 one and two bedroom assisted living apartments. Also, Keelson Harbour offers memory care suites for those seniors diagnosed with Alzheimers.

Elinor Bedell State Park

located on 80 acres of land this property was gifted by former U.S. Congressman Berkley Bedell and his wife Elinor. Berkley was also the original business man who began the Berkley Fishing company which started in Spirit Lake and was taken world-wide.

The park offers prairie and wetland areas to navigate, with miles of trails, a campground, playground equipment, a shelter overlooking the lake and more.

X marks the spot for this family fun pirate themed mini golf! Pirate's Cove is located in Arnolds Park right next to the amusement park. The kids will love this summer activity. They will be able to putt their way through caves, over bridges, and under waterfalls. Being right in the middle of all the summer action you are also walking distance everything that downtown Arnolds Park offers.

Jimmy John’s Spirit Lake
1007 18th St
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Jimmy Johns offers a fresh and quick sandwich at affordable prices. If you are low on time, hit up one of the two locations in the Iowa Great Lakes Area.

Arnolds Park- in BooneDocks gas station
Spirit Lake(Opened in 2016)- on the corner of Hwy 9/71 and Keokuk Ave. Next door to Fareway Grocery Store.
Online Ordering and Delivery are options with Jimmy Johns. Visit the website or call for details.

Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area
1924 240th St
Milford, IA 51351

Do you like to sled? Don’t miss out on this one if you do. Just southwest of Milford, Horseshoe Bend has some great hills for sledding and tubing, including a lift for the tube hill. Also, cross country skiing and snowmobile trails.

During summer months, there are picnic areas, hiking and horseback trails, as well as camping sites and canoe launch for the Little Sioux River.

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Melanders-downtown Milford
922 Okoboji Ave
Milford, IA 51351

New and used kitchen appliances, great selection, wide variety of the top brands. Local, helpful service.

TestAlgona

Lake Park United Methodist Church
1471 135th Ave
Lake Park, IA 51347
Service ----10:30 AM sunday

The Dry Dock, connected to Four Season's Resort offers a simplified menu, but consistent delicious food. One of the few restaurants on West Lake Okoboji, the Dry Dock offers up legendary breakfasts, great lunches and dinners, and the local favorite Friday Night Fish Fry. Sit inside or out after arriving by foot, car, or boat.

Gourmet Burgers, Spicy Chicken Thigh Sandwiches, Lobster Rolls on Friday & Saturday, Cubans, Hot Tots, Rosemary Sea Salt Fries, Beer Battered Cheese Curds, Scrumptious Milk Shakes, Crisp Salads, Huge Cookies & More!

Choose from a variety of luxurious condominiums and hotel-style guest rooms. Bridges Bay Resort features the area's only indoor waterpark 'Boji Splash, featuring the Cantina which serves a variety of delicious food and beverages. Bring the boat in the summer and enjoy being right on the water or get away for the weekend in the winter months and let the kids enjoy the indoor waterpark!

Bobs in Anrolds Park is famous for the Bobs dog. This is a place the whole family will enjoy. You will be able to enjoy an old fashion maid rite, hot dog, and don't forget the amazing shakes! Located right in the heart of all the action in Arnolds Park you will be able to park the boat and walk up to Bobs. Eat on the patio over looking West Lake or take your meal to go and enjoy it on the boat!

Kuchel Homes is dedicated to building your dream home in your dream community. Kuchel Homes cuts no corners when it comes to building your home....from the planning, design, finishes and more we leave no stone unturned. Designed to Perform, Built to Last.

Whether you want to sit and enjoy great live music or eat a juicy steak with a lobster tail, this is a great place to spend some time. They have great ownership accompanied by a great staff. You just cannot go wrong. Located in the center of the action on Broadway Street, you are within walking distance of Arnolds Park Amusement Park. You should definitely stop in, enjoy a nice meal and listen to some great music.

Welcome to Okoboji Elementary School, where we are blessed to serve over 470 students in preschool through 4th grade. We are continuously Pioneering Pathways for Every Student as we strive to make learning engaging and relevant for each and every student. We take pride in the academic instruction that our students receive and in the fact that our students consistently demonstrate high competencies in reading, math, and science, but also that they develop the critical thinking, communication, and problem- solving skills they will need to be successful beyond their years at OES. We are committed to making sure our students’ needs are met, whether it be basic needs, social/emotional needs, or academic needs.

We would love for you to arrange a visit to Okoboji Elementary School to experience the positive culture of the building and to see first-hand the compassion and commitment of our staff. We are confident that you will see it as a place where your child will thrive.

Yours in Education,

Justin Bouse
Okoboji Elementary School Principal

Mary's Gift Shoppe will tickle your senses with the unique blend of home decor and gifts. Our year-round shoppe offers great decorative accessories for the home plus beautiful clothing, jewelry and handbags to accessorize you, also custom floral design and embroidery work, bridal registry, and a wide selection of kitchen gadgets that make cooking and entertaining easy. One stop and you'll be hooked! Fun and friendly! Conveniently located off of Highway 71 South and 30th Street in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Calvary United Methodist Church of Arnolds Park
679 W Okoboji Dr
Arnolds Park, IA 51331

Services
Saturday at 6 p.m.
Sunday at 9 a.m.
Summer- Memorial Day to Labor Day at 7:30 a.m. boat up/drive up service. At the bridge between East and West Okoboji Lakes.

Terrace Park is located in Brown's Bay on West Lake, Okoboji. It is one of the largest public beaches on West Lake and has entertained beach goers for many years. Next to Terrace Park is Boys Town out of Omaha, Nebraska. I remember as a kid spending entire days at terrace park, either riding bicycle or taking a moped (yes a moped) down to meet with friends and playing king on the dock. In 2010, the morning after "the storm", Terrace Park was carnage. Boat were stacked on top of each other. Trees were uprooted, and hoists were tossed around. Boats and other water craft were found in Terrace Park that belonged to owners on the North end of West Lake.

From stylish furniture for casual living to cutting edge design in home decor. Visit INTERIORS for the best selection of Furniture, Wall Art, Everyday & Seasonal Decor, Lighting, Kitchen, Bed and Bath.

Located in the Iowa Great Lakes, Okoboji - Underwater Solutions provides aquatic weed removal by hand pulling the roots or cutting. Shoreline clean up, ice recovery of snowmobiles and vehicles, underwater inspections & video, intake cleaning, bathymetry, scraping Zebra Mussels. Call them today at 712-260-7818.

Located at the corner of Hill Ave and 18th St(Hwy 9/71), the County Courthouse offices the following: Auditor, Assessor, Board of Supervisors, Conservation, Community Services, County Attorney, Emergency Mgt, E-911 Administrator, County Engineer, IT/GIS, Recorder, Sheriff Dept, Trails, Treasurer, Veterain’s Affairs, Weed Commissioner, Zoning and Environment Health.

The current courthouse was built in 2005-2007 on the same site as the old courthouse was located. In fact, some of the bricks used on the exterior of the new courthouse came from the old courthouse.

CrossWinds Church
2805 Erie Ave
Spirit Lake, IA 51360

Services
Sunday at 8:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The Family Diner is Spirit Lake, IA is a local favorite! They offer up a large portion for small money, but whether you come early or late you may be in for a wait. With homemade bread and the largest sausage patty you have seen, The Family Diner is consistently delicious. They are open only for breakfast and lunch and closed two days a week. In my former career at Stylecraft, the family diner was definately a favorite when our friends would visit from North Carolina. They were always inpressed with the bread and rolls and corn beef hash.

Referred to locally as the lake turning over the thermocline is a feature of lakes with deep water. The water on the top of the lake changes temperature much more variably during the year. On West Lake, it can reach as much as 75 degrees in July while the water below, greater than 35 or 40 feet deep is relatively stable around 45 degrees. In the fall and early winter, the top strata of the lake will cool to below 45 degrees, and then because it becomes denser, it will "sink" below the lower strata, thus, displacing it and making the lake "turn-over". In the deepest part of West Lake (near the 136ft mark), no light is availble, and hence little life is known whether fish or plant. Typically questions are raised as to why the surface water gets dirty for a short period of time in the fall, this this is the standard answer.

Dixon Family Chiropractic is a clinic located on Hwy 9, east of Walmart, next to Pizza Ranch and has convenient hours.....open 6 days a week at 7:30 am, evenings and Saturdays. Formerly in the convenient health care building south of the 4 way stop in Spirit Lake, Wade and Adalee offer a friendly staff and professional services.

Downtown Church
45 S Hwy 71
Arnolds Park, IA 51331
Next to Okoboji Middle School/Okoboji Bible Conference

Services:
Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m.
Small Groups- Tuesday/Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

CODIT is a licensed, insured and internationally certified arboriculture tree care business, which specializes in hard to access areas.

Where muscles burn, skin sweats and community happens!
The District is a boutique fitness studio offering classes including indoor cycling, TRX® and more. The District strives to create community while encouraging and motivating all levels of fitness. Whether you're looking to PR your next race or just coming to workout with your friend, consider The District in your daily routine.

One of the area's best! The Outrigger serves fine food with an elegant, charming atmosphere. The menu has a variety of food options, but the Outrigger is well-known for their steak and seafood. Weekend specials are offered as well as prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights. A great neighborhood bar and restaurant!

Woodys Pizza is the oldest existing pizza restaurant in Northwest Iowa. In 1961, Woody and Mae Condon started their first restaurant in Estherville, with four tables, an eight seat counter and carry-out service. There was no alcohol served. It became a gathering place for the young people of Estherville.
In 1980 they sold their restaurant to their son, Anthony, he and his family operated Woody's for over 30 years. On Jan. 1, 2018, Dave and Tasha Welch of Estherville are the new owners.
Now, Dave & Tasha are thrilled to be taking the reins to continue not only bringing you great tasting pizza with the original famous recipe, but to bring you excellent service as a family-run business Estherville can be proud of.
Dine in or Call 712-362-5610 for Carry Out and Delivery!

Ruthven Meat Locker located downtown Spirit Lake. They offer a wide variety of quality fresh and award-winning smokes retail meats along with seasoning rubs and cheeses. You cant go wrong with the "locker trash" it definitely makes the best boat snack!