← Back to campgrounds

Clear Lake State Park

IAIowa
173 sitesInteractive map
About Clear Lake State Park

Clear Lake State Park is located on the southeast corner of the beautiful 3,643 acre Clear Lake, one of the major outdoor recreation features of northern Iowa. Although the state park is only 55 acres, it offers a tremendous diversity of recreational opportunities due to its location on the lake as well as its natural beauty. This park is characterized by rolling ground with open, mature groves of oak trees. Several small draws and thickets provide habitat for owls, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, many species of songbirds and an occasional deer. Scenic Woodford Island is a 3 acre island managed primarily for wildlife habitat and is an excellent spot for fishing.

Recreation: Lake Activities The 900 foot sandy beach offers unsupervised swimming and is a great place for swimmers and sunbathers, young and old. Clear Lake is a great place for fishermen throughout the year. The lake offers good fishing for walleyes, muskie, northern pike, bullheads, catfish, yellow bass, crappies, and other panfish. Boaters enjoy skiing, jet skiing, sightseeing, wind surfing and sailing.

Nearby Attractions

Clear Lake offers the small-town, welcoming atmosphere along with large-town attractions. Visit the legendary Surf Ballroom, the site of many performances and the last performance of Buddy Holly, or walk downtown along the brick sidewalks to shop the antique stores and boutiques. Plan a summer excursion aboard the Lady of the Lake or take a bike ride around the lake. McIntosh Woods State Park is located on the northwest portion of the lake. Nearby Towns The park lies adjacent to the town of Clear Lake which contains a thriving business and civic community. A short distance away (12 miles) lies Mason City, one of the largest retail centers in northern Iowa. The town of Ventura lies 6 miles away to the town of Garner is 13 miles away.

Amenities & Services

On-Site

  • ATM/Cash Machine
  • Antiquing
  • Aquarium Display
  • Bicycling
  • Bird Watching
  • Boat Rental
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Church
  • Dump Station
  • Fishing
  • Fuel, Boats
  • Fuel, Vehicles
  • Grocery Store
  • Handicap Access
  • Hunting
  • Jet Skiing
  • Jogging/Running
  • Kayaking
  • Lake
  • Laundry
  • Marina
  • Medical Clinic
  • Modern Restroom
  • Motel
  • Museum
  • Park Office
  • Parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Playground
  • Registration Building
  • Restrooms
  • Retail, Bait & Tackle
  • Retail, Drinks
  • Retail, Firewood
  • Retail, Ice
  • Seasonal Festivals
  • Showers
  • Swimming - Beach
  • Telephone
  • Toilet, Pit/Vault
  • Town
  • Trash Dumpster
  • Volleyball
  • Walking
  • Water Hydrants
  • Water Skiing
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Windsurfing/Sailboarding

Within 10 Miles

  • Fish Cleaning Station
  • Hospital
Getting There

The address to the campground entrance is 6490 S Shore Drive. Take exit 193 off of I-35. Head West on Hwy 106 until the first four-way stop. Take a left to the South on 8th Ave and follow for about a mile. Then take a right on 27th S. Follow until stop sign. Park entrance is right across the road.

Rules & Important Info

Entrance to Campground: 6490 S. Shore Dr. Clear Lake, IA 50428

Facilities

Picnicking/Shelter/Lodge The park features more than 10 acres of picnic grounds with tables and grills. The shady picnic areas provide a great place for a family cookout. Playground equipment for small children is located in the picnic area adjacent to the campground. An open picnic shelter is available for online reservations. A day-use lodge is located in the picnic area near the beach. Built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, this impressive historical facility is a great place for such group events as weddings, family reunions, company picnics, and other large group gatherings. Camping Clear Lake State Park has one of the most popular campgrounds in the Iowa state park system. The campground contains a modern restroom, shower facilities and trailer dump station.

Fees

Non-Peak Primitive Site $10.00 Non-Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00 Non-Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00 Non-Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00 Peak Primitive Site $10-$12 Peak Standard Full Hookup $22.00-$24.00 Peak Standard with Electric Hookup $19.00-$21.00 Peak Standard with Water and Electric Hookups $21.00-$23.00

Contact

Phone: 641-357-4212

Address: 6490 S. Shore Dr., Clear Lake, IA 50428

Loading campsite details...