Boating and water sports of all kinds are the name of the game in Okoboji! And while many folks flock to the Iowa Great Lakes region with pontoons or ski boats, paddling is an excellent boating option! Not only does it allow you to explore the quieter areas of the Great Lakes Region, but it also provides an opportunity to see wildlife up close. So, if you’re ready for an adventure on the water, we’ve got you covered with a list of five places to kayak and canoe in Okoboji.
Table of Contents
- Paddling around Okoboji: Five great places to kayak and canoe in Okoboji
- Kayak and canoe rentals in Okoboji
Paddling around Okoboji: Five great places to kayak and canoe in Okoboji
Below are five smaller, quieter areas, mostly away from high-traffic waterways. They’re great for paddling and exploring the Okoboji area!
1. Marble Lake
Marble Lake is a small lake west of Big Spirit Lake – and one of our favorites. It’s near the Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area, offering great views and plenty of wildlife. Plus, it’s a safe place to paddle away from the larger lakes.
The area around Marble Lake is known for birdwatching – one of our favorite things about it. As you paddle through the serene waters, you’ll be surrounded by cattails and many bird species. Watch for Loons, Osprey, Pelicans, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, and many more feathered friends that call this place home. Bird enthusiasts will love the vibrant avian diversity of Marble Lake.
Access Marble Lake on the west side of 240th Avenue just north of Marble Beach State Recreation Area.
West Hottes Lake and East Hottes Lake are also next to Marble Lake. They’re also suitable for paddling in calm waters. However, they have less bird habitat than nearby Marble Lake.
2. Canals of Wahpeton
Paddling the canals is a fun and safe way to kayak and canoe in the heart of Okoboji. The canals wind through the area around Wahpeton, on the west edge of West Okoboji Lake.
The canals take you around Crescent Beach Resort and into a quiet area near Gull Point State Park, where many paddlers spot wildlife. You might also see some charming fairy gardens along the shores!
No public access is near the canals, so many folks use the Emerson Bay Access. From there, paddle north along the shores of the lake and enter the canals at Crescent Beach Resort. Turn right to Turtle Lake, then left at Turtle Lake to paddle under a couple of bridges to the canals. You can loop around the canals or go straight into Millers Bay.
3. Center Lake
Center Lake, as the name suggests, is situated right in the center of the Okoboji area and is a great location for kayaking and canoeing.
Despite its proximity to the Spirit Lake business district, Center Lake offers a surprisingly tranquil experience. And if you paddle to the northeast side of this 220-acre lake, you’ll enter a wetlands area where you can see various wildlife!
Access Center Lake west of 220th Avenue. The Iowa DNR has a public boat ramp on the west side of the lake, offering easy entry and exit points for paddlers.
4. Little Spirit Lake
Little Spirit Lake, a 600-acre lake on the Iowa-Minnesota border, is a hidden gem and an ideal destination for paddling enthusiasts.
This lake is in one of the least developed areas around Okoboji, making for a quiet paddling experience and an opportunity to see wildlife. As you embark on your paddling adventure, you’ll have the chance to explore miles of shoreline and coves.
Find Little Spirit Lake on the northwest side of Big Spirit Lake, just west of Mini-Wakan State Park. The only public access is on the lake’s northeast corner on the Minnesota side (off 710th St). But some folks access the lake on the Iowa side, just off 240th Avenue (north of Crandalls Beach).
5. Hales Slough
Hales Slough is a small, quiet area in Hales Slough Wildlife Area on the northeast shores of Big Spirit Lake.
Nestled within this protected area is a small and tranquil marshy region filled with cattails, where you can leisurely paddle through calm waters. And it’s excellent for spotting wildlife, especially birds. Herons, Cedar Waxwings, Marsh Wrens, and other species are often seen there. It’s also a popular place for fishing.
Access Hales Slough off 260th Avenue on the east side of Big Spirit Lake. There’s a boat ramp for Big Spirit Lake and one for Hales Slough.
…Or take a kayak lesson
Take a kayaking lesson with Dickinson County Conservation. See their website for details.
Find a campground near Okoboji: Okoboji Campgrounds: The Ultimate Guide to Camping near Okoboji in Iowa
Kayak and canoe rentals in Okoboji
There are several places to rent kayaks and other watercraft in the Okoboji area. But most won’t allow boats to be transported, so it’s best to have your own kayak or canoe for the abovementioned areas.
• Boat Okoboji Rentals
Alley St | Arnolds Park, Iowa
Boat Okoboji is on the southwest corner of East Okoboji, just off Hwy 71. They rent paddleboards on-site and allow renters to take them off-site. Other boat rentals include jet skis, pontoons, and sport boats.
• Oak Hill Marina
176 U.S. Hwy 71 S | Arnolds Park, Iowa
Oak Hill Marina is on the southern edge of Okoboji, on the shores of Minnewashta Lake. They rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, in addition to pontoons and power boats.
• Extreme Watersports
37 Lake St | Arnolds Park, Iowa
Extreme Watersports is next to Arnolds Park Amusement Park on the southeast shores of West Okoboji Lake. They rent paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats, in addition to waverunners, pontoons, and ski boats. No rentals are allowed to be transported off West Lake.
• Triggs Bay Resort
180 Linden Dr | Arnolds Park, Iowa
Triggs Bay Resort is on the southwest tip of East Okoboji Lake. They rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and water bikes, in addition to pontoons and powerboats.
• Make-A-Wake Watersports
Village West Resort & Hotel | 20785 170th Street | Spirit Lake, Iowa
Located on the shores of West Okoboji Lake, Make-A-Wake has kayaks and paddleboards for rent, in addition to pontoons, jet skis, and speed boats.
• Okoboji Boat Works
1401 Lake Shore Dr | Okoboji, Iowa
Okoboji Boat Works is on the southeastern side of West Okoboji Lake. They list canoes, paddleboats, and paddleboards among their power boat rentals.
Next:
• Okoboji Campgrounds
• Iowa State Parks (info, map, & printable)
• Emerson Bay State Recreation Area
• Marble Beach State Recreation Area: Camp at the Iowa Great Lakes
