In western Dickinson County lies the Dugout Creek-Yager Slough Wildlife Area. It encompasses more than 1,600 acres of rolling prairie and wetlands, as well as one of Iowa’s largest and highest-quality wetland and fen complexes. The area is home to rare plants, black terns, northern harriers, regal fritillaries and Arogos skippers. Those interested in nature and wildlife will find not only a vast landscape here, but also a remarkable diversity of species.

Wetlands, Shorelines and Trails

At Gull Point State Park, a curving, boulder-strewn shoreline runs between Miller’s Bay and Emerson’s Bay on West Okoboji Lake. The terrain around the park is hilly and irregular: marsh channels, bogs and wetland depressions shape its “knob-and-kettle” topography. A 1.3-mile self-guided interpretive trail offers a way to explore this landscape.

Elinor Bedell State Park sits on the shore of East Lake Okoboji. It offers trails, a playground and camping. The campground has sites with full hookups and modern restroom facilities. All sites are reservable; reservations are required. At Pikes Point State Park, amenities include picnic tables and lake views. Shore fishing for walleye, northern pike, bass, crappies and catfish is possible at Trappers Bay State Park.

The trails also offer a range of experiences. Dickinson County’s trail system includes 60 miles of signed routes on low-traffic county roads for more challenging recreational cycling. The 15-mile Spine Trail runs north to south through the county and connects to numerous other trails. In addition, more than 100 miles of snowmobile trails cross Dickinson County. Groomed cross-country ski trails connect Brooks Golf Course with the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji. The Little Sioux River offers opportunities to paddle through natural areas along its banks in the county.

Local Museums and Stories

The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum offers public walking tours that last 30 to 60 minutes each. Visitors can see a rare collection of antique wooden boats, as well as a boat recovered from the depths of West Okoboji. Abbie Gardner’s story is also connected to Arnolds Park: she returned there in 1891, bought the cabin and operated it as one of Iowa’s earliest tourist attractions.

The Dickinson County Museum preserves local history through exhibits, historic buildings and artifacts. Steve’s Depot at the museum is housed in an original railroad depot dating from 1884. Admission to the Dickinson County Museum is free; check the latest information before your visit. The Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Museum offers a different musical focus, with a recording studio, a radio booth, a jukebox, and historic posters and record albums.

Explore Nature and Choose Activities

At the Dickinson County Nature Center, you’ll find live animals, an observation beehive, a topographic sand table and interactive exhibits in Pollinator Paradise. The grounds also include a Nature Playscape, a pond-observation tower, a disc golf course and trails. At the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, you can take a self-guided nature exploration using a treasure map available at the entrance.

There are also rides to enjoy: Arnolds Park has more than 20. Dickinson County brings together a wide range of interests—from landscapes and wildlife watching to cycling and winter sports, museum visits, history and rides.

Discover more destinations: Arnolds Park, Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Union County, Story, Calhoun County, Black Hawk, Plymouth County

For the broader travel overview: Iowa.