Summer in Iowa can be scorching! Make sure you know where to get a quick cool down next time the thermometer heads through the roof. Despite the heat, is there a better way to spend a summer day than at one of the best parks in Iowa? Swimming, boating, beach volleyball, maybe a little frisbee – you’ll find it all at Arnolds Park Beach on beautiful West Okoboji Lake.

In Iowa, where better to cool off than at the roadside beaches at Arnolds Park on Iowa’s West Okoboji Lake, featuring some of the coolest, cleanest, purest, bluest water in the state?
City of Arnolds Park, Iowa
Both Arnolds Park beaches are free and easy to find if you haven’t visited them already. These popular beaches fill up fast so get there early on a hot summer day.
In fact, you can’t miss the Arnolds Park Public Beach if you are traveling on Highway 71 in the Iowa Great Lakes region. It's just south of the bridge that crosses the waterway between East and West Okoboji Lakes, on the west side of the road at 389 North Highway 71 in Arnolds Park.
Vacation Okoboji
There is parking on either side of the road, and several dining choices are nearby. This beach is family-friendly and has restrooms near the parking area.
Dun Beaty / Google Maps
This city beach does not have a lifeguard so keep that in mind if you have little ones, and alcohol is not permitted on the beach.

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Traveling half of a mile south down Lakeshore Drive from the public beach will bring you to Arnold’s Park Amusement Park Beach at 188-226 Park Place in Arnolds Park.
Vacation Okoboji
After working up an appetite swing by Bob's. The beach is right next to and in front of Bob’s Restaurant if you are looking to grab a hot dog, fries, and a vanilla malt with your beach stop. Locals will tell you Bob's is the best place for a beach lunch or evening meal as the sun falls below the lake.
This beach is free even though it's located in and amongst the amusement park. There’s plenty to do at this beach, including a well-loved beach volleyball court.
Arnolds Park Amusement Park
A grove of stately oaks provides a welcome, refreshing shade here.
Arnolds Park Amusement Park / Facebook
Arnolds Park Beach is a wonderful picnic beach, so pack up some snacks, and a blanket, and bring the whole family for a day of fun.

There’s a reason Iowans love Okoboji; these beaches offer a great way to get to know this great lake and to cool off in some of the bluest water in Iowa. There are a number of public beaches in Iowa, which one is your favorite?

Learn more about Arnolds Park Beach and Arnolds Park Amusement Park Beach at the Vacation Okoboji website here. Check out this article if you are interested in more fun activities at Arnolds Park Beach.

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More to Explore

More public beaches in Iowa

Chris Muras | November 19, 2022

Where are the best beaches in Iowa?

Iowa has fantastic swimming beaches to cool off at during the hot summer months. Here is where to find some of the best beaches in the state:

1. Lake Okoboji: Dickinson County, IA.
2. Clear Lake: Cerro Gordo County, IA.
3. Spirit Lake: Dickinson County, IA.
4. Five Island Lake: Emmetsburg, IA.
5. Coralville Lake: Coralville, IA.
6. Rathbun Lake: Honey Creek Resort State Park, IA.
7. Storm Lake: Buena Vista County, IA.

What are the best parks in Iowa?

If you are looking for the best state parks in Iowa here are a number of the most popular in the state, many of which have swimming areas.

1. Pikes Peak State Park: McGregor, IA.
2. Backbone State Park: Dundee, IA.
3. Ledges State Park: Madrid, IA.
4. Palisades-Kepler State Park: Mt. Vernon, IA.
5. Maquoketa Caves State Park: Maquoketa, IA.
6. Lake MacBride State Park: Solon, IA.
7. Wildcat Den State Park: Muscatine, IA.
8. Big Creek State Park: Polk City, IA.
9. Pilot Knob State Park: Forest City, IA.

What is Iowa's most unique state park?

Iowa's most unique state park just might be Ledges State Park in Madrid, Iowa. With steep slopes and scenic overviews looking over the surrounding 100-foot sandstone cliffs and the Des Moines River below, these hiking trails give you some of the most stunning views in the entire state. Of course, with over 80 state parks in Iowa, there are some pretty amazing gems for you to discover.

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Featured Addresses
Arnolds Park Public Beach, Arnolds Park, IA 51331, USA
Arnolds Park Amusement Park, 37 Lake St, Arnolds Park, IA 51331, USA