Iowa's Great Lakes
The Iowa Great Lakes consist of a series of glacier-carved lakes. Iowa's largest natural lake, Spirit Lake and five interconnected lakes: West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lower Gar and Minnewashta. The spring-fed West Okoboji Lake is a beautiful shade of blue and 134 deep. It is the centerpiece of the five chain lakes. Other notable lakes around the area include Grovers, Little Spirit, Hottes, Pearl and Loon. These lakes are located off U.S. 71 near Milford, Arnolds Park and the Community of Spirit Lake.
Spirit Lake (5,684 Acres). Spirit Lake is the largest natural body of water in the state of Iowa.
The lake is the northern most lake of the chain. It's spillway empties into East Okoboji.
Considering its size it is a fairly shallow lake with a maximum depth of 24 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet.
East Okoboji Lake (1,835 Acres). East Okoboji is a very narrow lake and extends from Spirit Lake on the North and connects with West Okoboji. It's a nice lake, but is not a very deep and is considered by some to be on the wrong side of the bridge.
Elinor Bedell State Park, located on
the shores of East Lake Okoboji is Iowa's newest (1998) state recreation and natural area.
West Okoboji Lake (3,939 Acres). West Okoboji is the queen of the lakes. The lake has many bays and points and is spring fed allowing it to be very clear. West Okoboji is Iowa's deepest natural lake at 136 feet and second in size only to Spirit Lake. Sailing is not uncommon here, but you will still get a look as you sail up and down the lake.
There are some beautiful houses that surround the lake. They make for a great conversation.
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