State: Iowa
Address 1: 3100 Emerson St.
City: West Okoboji
Zip: 51351
Phone: 712-337-3211
Open: Open all year
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 117
Electric: 57
Camp URL: http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/emerson.html
Full Hook: Yes
The Emerson Bay campgrounds is one of the most popular in the state. The campground is well shaded and features paved roads, playground equipment, boat ramps, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as sanitary dump station. There are a total of 117 campsites, 57 with electrical hookups, 24 with cable TV connections, and 60 non-electric sites. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are available for self-registration on a first-come/first-serve basis.
Emerson Bay is a great place for a family picnic. Emerson Bay Lighthouse Point has a shelter that is available and is also conveniently located near a sand beach, an open grass recreation area, and a playground. The lighthouse tower also provides the user with a spectacular view of West Lake Okoboji.
Emerson Bay’s beach provides a fine place for young and old to sunbathe and splash in the crystal clear water of West Okoboji. Emerson Bay also hosts one of the most popular areas to launch a boat onto the Iowa Great Lakes chain.
West Okoboji and the many other lakes in the area are some of the prime fishing spots in Iowa. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads. Boating is also very popular on the lakes using everything from canoes to sailboats and ski rigs.
The “lakes area” of northwest Iowa offers a tremendous array of outdoor recreation opportunities, year-round. The unique setting of beautiful and clear Lakes East and West Okoboji, Big Spirit Lake and other water bodies truly provides wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation. The focal point for state parks and recreation areas in this region is beautiful Gull Point State Park, established in 1933. Gull Point provides a pleasing, shaded setting on West Okoboji Lake and offers a well-rounded variety of outdoor recreation facilities.
