Iowa is a diverse, beautiful state with lots of recreational opportunities and adventures (it’s not just one giant cornfield). We have everything from rocky ledges and native prairie to rivers and lakes. In fact, the top lakes in Iowa are among the state’s most popular vacation getaways. So, whether you crave a weekend of boating, swimming, fishing, or just relaxing lakeside, we have what you’re looking for. These are the best lakes in Iowa for recreation and relaxation!
Table of Contents
- Best lakes in Iowa for recreation and relaxation
- Iowa Great Lakes (Northeast Iowa)
- Rathbun Lake (Southeast Iowa)
- Lake Red Rock (Central Iowa)
- Coralville Lake (East Central Iowa)
- Clear Lake (Northern Iowa)
- Storm Lake (Northwest Iowa)
- Lake Icaria (Southwest Iowa)
- Saylorville Lake (Central Iowa)
- Lake Manawa (Western Iowa)
- Black Hawk Lake (Northwest Iowa)
- Lake Wapello (Southeast Iowa)
- Okamanpeedan Lake (Tuttle Lake) (Northern Iowa)
Best lakes in Iowa for recreation and relaxation
Iowa Great Lakes (Northeast Iowa)
The Iowa Great Lakes are a premier summer destination for fun on and off the water!
A series of beautiful natural lakes make up the Iowa Great Lakes. The most popular include West Okoboji, East Okoboji, and Spirit Lakes. And these interconnected lakes and surrounding communities offer activities and accommodations galore!
The area has everything from beaches and marinas to an amusement park, a waterpark, golf, go-karts, and more! You can stay in one of the many campgrounds, hotels, resorts, or cottages. And be sure to take in the restaurants, museums, and live music too!
Area amenities
- Beaches
- Boat rentals
- Camping, cabins, & cottages
- Resorts and hotels
- Trails
- Fishing
- Golf & mini golf
- Disc golf
- Waterpark
- Amusement park
- Restaurants, museums, shows, & live music
Rathbun Lake (Southeast Iowa)
Rathbun Lake is Iowa’s second-largest lake and is often called “Iowa’s ocean!” This southeast Iowa lake has 155 miles of shoreline and heaps of outdoor adventures on and off the water.
You can spend the day on the water, hit the trails, play golf, swim at the indoor water park, and much more! Plus, you can find plenty of overnight options, like camping, cabins, modern cottages, and a resort hotel.
Area amenities
- Camping and cabins
- Resort with water park, golf, and more
- Restaurants
- Marina(s)
- Boat rentals
- Beaches
- Trails
- Fishing
Related area information:
• Visit Rathbun Lake for Lots of Outdoor Fun at “Iowa’s Ocean”
• Honey Creek Resort at Rathbun Lake: A Nature Resort With Lots of Activities
• Honey Creek State Park: Don’t Miss This Scenic Peninsula at Rathbun Lake
Lake Red Rock (Central Iowa)
Lake Red Rock is Iowa’s largest lake and the perfect central Iowa getaway! It has tons of fun outdoor activities, like boating, swimming, hiking, biking, camping, and more. And it’s near historic Pella, Iowa, with excellent entertainment, shopping, museums, and eateries.
Area amenities
- Camping
- Marina
- Boat rentals
- Beaches
- Trails
- Fishing
- Hotels, museums, restaurants, shopping, & golf nearby
- Some private cabin rentals
Related area information:
• Lake Red Rock: Iowa’s Largest Lake for a Great Outdoor Adventure
• Best Things To Do in Pella: A Touch of Holland in Iowa
• Roberts Creek Park: Excellent Camping and Outdoor Fun in Central Iowa
• Elk Rock State Park: A Popular Iowa Park for Boating, Camping, and Equestrian Use
• Cordova Park: An Excellent Iowa Getaway Any Time of Year
Coralville Lake (East Central Iowa)
Coralville Lake is a 5300-acre lake in east-central Iowa with lots of fun things to do, from boating and swimming to hiking, biking, camping, and more!
Plus, it’s nestled between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. So, you can find entertainment, shopping, museums, hotels, and even more indoor and outdoor fun.
That’s not all! Lake MacBride State Park is right next to Coralville Lake. It’s Iowa’s largest and most visited state park, featuring a 940-acre lake. Visitors enjoy swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, and camping there.
Area amenities
- Marina(s)
- Boat rentals
- Camping
- Beaches
- Trails
- Fishing
- Mountain biking
- Disc golf
- Fossil Gorge
- Hotels, museums, restaurants, shopping, & golf nearby
- Amana Colonies historic villages are nearby
Related area information:
• Coralville Lake: An Amazing Lake Getaway in Iowa
• Lake Macbride State Park: Iowa’s Largest State Park for Outdoor Fun
• Visit Cedar Rapids: Art & Culture, One of a Kind Experiences, & Outdoor Adventures
• Palisades Kepler State Park: A Scenic Gem with Trails, Camping & More
• Indian Creek Nature Center: The Perfect Place For Outdoor Lovers of All Ages
Clear Lake (Northern Iowa)
Clear Lake is a 3684-acre natural, spring-fed lake in northern Iowa. Visitors go to this scenic lake—and its nearby town of the same name—for beaches, fishing, boating, and music history.
Clear Lake State Park is a popular draw for nature lovers wishing to camp, swim, boat, and relax. And many visitors like the legendary Surf Ballroom, where Buddy Holly performed in 1959 before his plane crash.
Area amenities
- Camping & Cottages
- Hotels
- Fishing
- Boating
- Trails
- Golf
- Museums, restaurants, & shopping nearby
Storm Lake (Northwest Iowa)
A visit to Storm Lake is a good time for all ages! It’s a 3000-acre lake in northwest Iowa with lots to do – at the lake and the surrounding community of the same name.
And with all there is to do, plan to stay awhile. The King’s Pointe Resort and waterpark is a popular destination for visitors. Other favorite activities are boating, swimming, fishing, golfing (including mini-golf!), biking, and hiking.
Area amenities
- Camping and cottage rentals
- Resort & waterpark
- Beaches
- Paddlesport rentals
- Marina
- Fishing
- Trails
- Golf
- Disc golf
- Hotels, museums, restaurants, & shopping nearby
Lake Icaria (Southwest Iowa)
Lake Icaria is one of Iowa’s best-kept secrets! This scenic 650-acre lake in southwest Iowa offers a gamut of water activities – plus relaxing campgrounds and cabins with killer lake views! And food trucks are often available on weekends in the summer.
In the nearby town of Corning, you’ll find even more fun. Find museums, like the French Icarian Village, plus restaurants, a bakery, and a winery too!
Area amenities
- Lakeside camping and cabins (some cabins are year-round)
- Beach
- Boat ramps
- Fishing
- Trails
- Disc golf
- Museums, restaurants, & shopping nearby
Saylorville Lake (Central Iowa)
Saylorville Lake is a 6,000-acre lake just north of Des Moines. It’s a favorite for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, and more!
And since it’s situated near Des Moines, you can find a heap of fun things to do nearby. Museums, theaters, restaurants, nightlife, and great places to stay are minutes down the road.
While at Saylorville, stop at other nearby parks; Big Creek State Park and Jester Park are only a few miles away! Rent a boat, go fishing, hit the beach, play disc golf, and play on the enormous playground at Big Creek State Park. At Jester Park, you can hike, tour the Nature Center, see live elk and bison, play mini golf, and rent a cabin.
Area amenities
- Marina
- Boat rentals
- Camping
- Beaches
- Trails
- Fishing
- Disc golf
- Archery
- Butterfly Garden
- River access
- Hotels, museums, restaurants, shopping, & golf nearby
Related area information:
• Explore Des Moines
• A Guide to Saylorville Lake in Central Iowa
• Saylorville Lake Campgrounds: Central Iowa Camping At Its Best
• A Guide to Jester Park in Central Iowa
• A Guide to Big Creek State Park in Central Iowa
Lake Manawa (Western Iowa)
If you’re looking for the perfect lake getaway in western Iowa, look no further! Lake Manawa is a 785-acre lake surrounded by a 1500-acre state park with tons to do on and off the water. Spend the day at the beach or boating, and kids of all ages and abilities can spend hours at the Dream Playground!
Beyond the lake, there’s even more to do! Lake Manawa is on the edge of Council Bluffs and a few short miles from Omaha. In other words, you can find so much more nearby, like the Loess Hills and Omaha Zoo, plus excellent hotels and restaurants!
Area amenities
- Camping
- Beach
- Boating (boat ramps)
- Fishing
- Paddlesport rentals
- Trails
- Hotels, museums, restaurants, shopping, & golf nearby
Black Hawk Lake (Northwest Iowa)
Black Hawk Lake is a 950-acre lake in northwest Iowa, with plenty to do on water and shore! It’s a super popular spot to boat, fish, swim, hike, bike, and camp. And at the end of a fun-filled outdoor day, visitors can unwind at a local establishment in Lake View.
Area amenities
- Lakeside camping (& a cabin at the state park)
- Beaches
- Boating (boat ramp)
- Fishing
- Trails (30+ mile rail trail nearby)
- Disc golf
- Private lake cabin & cottage rentals (Airbnb/VRBO)
- Hotel (Cobblestone Inn & Suites)
Lake Wapello (Southeast Iowa)
Lake Wapello is a beautiful lake to go to for a peaceful escape. This spectacular southeast Iowa lake is surrounded by a park with appealing amenities. The 1100-acre park features a beach, trails, boat rentals, camping, and more.
Area amenities
- Camping and cabins (some cabins are year-round)
- Beach house
- Beach (with concessions)
- Fishing
- Small boat rentals (kayaks, johnboats, etc.)
- Boating (no wake only)
- Trails
For more information, see Lake Wapello State Park: A Hidden Gem in Southern Iowa
Okamanpeedan Lake (Tuttle Lake) (Northern Iowa)
Okamanpeedan Lake (also known as Tuttle Lake) is a 2300-acre lake on the Iowa-Minnesota border – partly in Iowa and partly in Minnesota. And it’s the perfect spot to get away from it all and soak up nature!
Lakeside camping, fishing, and boating are the name of the game here. Some private cottage and cabin rentals are around the lake too.
Area amenities
- Camping
- Fishing
- Boating (boat ramps)
Suggested reading:
• Lakes Near Des Moines, Iowa
• Trout Fishing in Iowa: Best trout streams and lakes, fishing tips, and more
