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Clear Lake State Park & Campgrounds
(641) 357-4212
Clear Lake State Park, acquired by the state in 1924, has an area of 55
acres. The park, located on the southeast shore, has a picnic area, a
900-foot sandy beach and a campground. There is a large rustic lodge
just above the beach for family reunions or other get-togethers. There
are more than 215 designated camping sites at the park, 166 with
electric hookups. Facilities furnished are space, water, shower and
flush toilets. Camping sites may be reserved by calling 877-IAPARKS or
at www.reserveiaparks.com. A limited number of sites are available on a
first-come, first-serve basis. There is a self-registration procedure.
A maximum of two weeks camping is allowed in the area. Mushroom hunting
is allowed at the park.
McIntosh Woods State Park & Campgrounds, Ventura
(641) 829-3847
McIntosh Woods, on the northwest shore, is an area of sloping woods and meadows
where visitors can camp or picnic. There are 52 campsites, 45 with electricity.
A modern restroom and showerbuilding are present, as well as a playground.
Camping sites may be reserved by calling 877-IAPARKS or at
www.reserveiaparks.com. A limited number of sites are available on a
first-come, first-serve basis. There is a self-registration procedure for campers. There is a beach
area on a peninsula and docks and boat landings are located on the west side
of the park. New to the park in 2000 were two "yurts". The
two shelters feature wooden frames with canvas stretched around them.
Each accommodates four people. Call for rental information.
Mushroom hunting is also allowed at McIntosh. A park ranger lives at
the entrance to the park.
Oakwood R.V. Park
(641) 357-4019
Oakwood R.V. Park, located just off South Shore Drive at 5419 240th Street, Clear
Lake, offers a number of amenities for campers. Full hook-up, pull-thrus,
restrooms, laundry, hot showers and seasonal rates are available. Reservations
are accepted for the 90 camp sites. Owners Bob and
Lee Speakar promote the campground as close to the lake, miniature golf,
golf courses and public beaches. A 50x60-foot recreational hall
is available by request and a historic lakeside church sits on the grounds.
A non-denominational Sunday morning service is held at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome!
Woodford-Ashland Lone Tree Point
Ancestors of the Woodford and Ashland families have granted the Iowa Natural
Heritage Foundation an easement on more than 200 acres of diverse property
and shoreline located on the lake's south shore, just west of Farmer's Beach.
The public has access to the property by boat and from Farmer's Beach, and
is invited to enjoy the natural area as guests.
Haugen Conservation Area
One of the county's newest conservation areas, it is located six miles north
of Ventura from Highway 18 on County Road S-14 and one mile west. There are
approximately 75 acres of wetland, oak timber and grassy upland to provide
fine hunting in season and good opportunities for wildlife watching.
Zirbel Slough
Zirbel Slough is located seven miles south of Highway 18 on Highway 107.
It is a 330 acre plot of prairie marshes with a variety of waterfowl and wading
birds throughout the year. It is open to hunting and trapping in season and
it is a good area for bird watching.
Winter Garden Park
Winter Garden Park is located one mile north of Clear Lake, just off County
Road S-18 (Fertile blacktop). It offers 70 acres of land, and is used as
a picnic area in the summer.
Mallard Marsh
The marsh is located seven miles north of Ventura on S-14. The park provides
227 acres of hunting and trapping ground in season, as well as a good site
for viewing wildlife, birds and plant life all year round. Also, there are
three man-made ponds and wooded hills. A high prairie hill on the north gives
a view of the entire marsh.
Ventura Access (Lynne Lorenzen State Park)
The park, located on East Lake Street, Ventura, features a shelter house,
with water fountain and restrooms, an achievement board with information about
Lynne Lorenzen's athletic career, basketball court named in her honor, playground
equipment, sand volleyball court and boat ramp. Lorenzen was a multi-sport
standout at Ventura High School who became the nation's all-time top scoring
amateur basketball player in 1987 with 6,736 points in her four-year career.
She helped the Ventura girls basketball team to a state championship playing
the six-on-six game which is no longer played in Iowa. She went on to play
college basketball at Iowa State University. In 1993, she was inducted into
the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Hall of Fame.
City Parks & Shelter Houses
These parks feature shelter houses, electricity and restrooms. Park shelters
may be reserved by individuals or groups by contacting Parks and Recreation
Department, (641) 357-7010. There is no charge for the use of the shelters.
- City Park, downtown Clear Lake, 3.08 acres.
- Mollie MacGowan Park, 201 10th Ave. N., 3 acres.
- Pine Tree Park, 2300 South Shore Drive, 3.63 acres.
- Armour Pugh Memorial Park, Highway 18 West, 1.64 acres. (No electricity)
- City Beach, downtown Clear Lake, .89 acres.
- Country Club Heights Park, Country Club Heights, .43 acres, playground equipment.
- D.A.R. Park, 100 Fletcher Drive, .50 acres, playground equipment.
- Eighth Avenue South Park, .46 acres, playground equipment.
- Fieldstone Park, on 14th Place N., north of Highway 18 and west
of Interstate 35, 1.35 acres, playground equipment, grill.
- Jacobson Park, one block north of City Hall, .17 acres.
- Marian Park, 2nd Ave. N. and 2nd Ave. NE., 1.37 acres, playground, ball diamond.
- Tourist Park, located in the 1600 block of South Shore Drive, playground
equipment, grills, sand volleyball courts.
- Triangle Park, located at the intersection of 4th and 5th Streets,
.34 acres, playground equipment, grill.
Note:
If there is a need of some equipment for your picnic, the Parks and Recreation
Department can put together a picnic kit for your group.
Volleyball kits, frisbees, and softball bats and balls are available. There
is a $25 deposit required to check out the equipment, which is returned when
the equipment is returned to the Parks and Recreation Department in good condition.
Inquire at the Parks and Recreation Center, 800 1st Ave. S., Clear Lake, Iowa
50428, or phone (641) 357-7010.
Public Lake Accesses
There are a number of public accesses (most with docks) to the lake. All docks at public accesses are public docks which are privately maintained and constructed. Please use them as a guest. Street signs
appear at the entrance to each access. A list of accesses with docks follows:
- 16th Avenue South & South Shore Drive
- Behind 1513 South Shore Drive
- 15th Avenue South
- 14th Avenue South
- 13th Avenue South
- 8th Avenue South
- 7th Avenue South
- 6th Avenue South
- 5th Avenue South
- 12 docks are located on North Lakeview Drive (North of Sea Wall)
- 5th Avenue North
- Beach Drive
- Mars Hill Drive
- North 9th Street
- Highland Drive
Boat Launches, Lake Assistance
Boat Launch sites are located at Main Avenue near City Park; Tourist Park
area off South Shore Dr.; next to the Ritz in the Bayside area just off South
Shore Dr.; McIntosh Woods State Park in Ventura; and Lynne Lorenzen Park,
Ventura. The Lake Patrol will be patrolling the lake. For assistance call
641-357-5000, or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at (641) 357-3517.
Bike Trails - Trolley Trail
A bike trail is accessible between Clear Lake and Mason City on County Road
B-35. This 7.5 mile trail extends into Mason City, where the trail is clearly
marked. Maps of area trails are available at the Clear Lake Area Chamberof
Commerce office, 205 Main Avenue, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. For more information
on trails, phone Dave Delperdang at (641) 357-1954.
Walk/jog track
North 8th Street & 10th Avenue North
The public is permitted to use the all weather track located at the Lions
Field complex when not in use by Clear Lake schools. Joggers and runnersare
encouraged to use the outside lanes of the 400 meter track. Rollerblades,
bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the track. |
