$645,428Average Value$455Average Price per Sq Ft61Homes For Sale
Seasonal tourism to Arnolds Park’s lakes and attractions drives the economy
Arnolds Park, known as the City of Five Lakes, has always been a vacation destination. People have flocked to its beaches, resorts and lakes since the 19th century, and it anchors Iowa's Great Lakes as the home of the region’s chamber of commerce and tourism center. Commercial and entertainment centers surround the city’s recreational hubs, which burst with life in the summertime. Although the community has full-time residents, tourism is its focus as it maintains the area’s economy. “We’re becoming more and more seasonal all the time,” says Linda Nase, longtime resident and Arnolds Park’s city clerk. “A lot of the houses are being purchased for Airbnbs and Vrbos. It’s the nature of the beast up here.”
Arnolds Park features several resorts with private piers or beaches.
Summertime in Arnolds Park means the historic amusement park of the same name is alway busy.
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Diverse recreation and entertainment along five major lakes
The city’s five lakes are West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Minnewashta and Lower Gar. Public beaches and resort areas line West and East Okoboji Lakes. The community’s entertainment district also borders West Okoboji Lake, where, at Preservation Plaza, people enjoy concerts, attend events and ride The Queen II, a vintage-looking tour boat. Roller coasters at Arnolds Park Amusement Park whirl past the waterfront, and the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum showcases boating relics. The Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Music Association Hall documents the state’s extensive music history in the same building. Next to East Okoboji Lake, Bridges Bay Resort has a water park. Wildlife management recreation areas surround the city’s three smaller lakes. People launch boats and kayaks from public ramps or bike across the water via the Great Lakes Spine Trail. Other popular attractions include Oak Hill Marina and Emerald Hills Golf Club.
Although lakes surround the city, flooding is not typical. “I’ve noticed that when storms come toward us, they hit the lake, then divide and go around,” Nase says.
The Queen II offers boat tours of Arnolds Park and nearby Okoboji.
Preservation Plaza features live music all summer with Live at the Lake.
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Seasonal and year-round commercial options along the highway
Arnolds Park is home to many bars, shops and restaurants. Most commercial options follow Highway 71. Restaurants like The Ritz and The Lake View Deck offer specialty drinks and waterfront views from outdoor patios. The Koffee Kup is a laid-back breakfast diner, while Miles Inn Okoboji is known for its draft beer and burgers. Some establishments are only open seasonally, like The Frozen Parrot, which sells colorful mounds of gelato and customizable ice cream bars. People browse overstuffed crates at Red Truck Records or test their skills with an axe at The Throwing Post. Captain’s Getaway hosts Nashville country music nights and dancing throughout the summer. Central Emporium holds several businesses, from clothing to candy shops to a lakeside restaurant. Sunshine Foods and Fareway Meat and Grocery are less than 3 miles away.
The Ritz, like many restaurants in Arnolds Park, features live music all summer long.
The Central Emporium in Arnolds Park is a popular destination for shopping and dining.
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Lakeside subdivisions have diverse styles, prices and HOA fees
Subdivisions cluster around the shorelines of the area’s five lakes. Homeowners associations oversee most subdivisions, which typically have bungalows, ranch-style houses, American Foursquares and custom homes. Mid-size yards and wide driveways stretch out in front of houses, while private docks jut onto the water behind lakeside homes. Condominium complexes, duplexes and cabin-style resort properties are also common. Prices range from $285,000 to $2.7 million, but the community’s median price is $603,000. Some manufactured homes sell for $130,000 and under, and Bridges Bay Resort cabins have roughly $400 to $600 in monthly HOA fees.
Lake houses in every shape and size line the shores of Arnolds Park, most with private docks.
Inland, Arnolds Park features classic housing styles like bungalows with nautical themes.
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Major events organized by the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce
The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce orchestrates most major events. On Independence Day, fireworks light up the sky over West Lake Okoboji while rock bands play at Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Emerald Hills Golf Course hosts the annual Great Okoboji Lakes Finale Golf Tournament in August. In September, people visit Preservation Plaza to celebrate Oktoberfest. Attendees browse outdoor vendors before watching themed competitions, like keg tosses and traditional Hammerschlagen. Walleye Weekend is an especially anticipated tradition. Ten tagged walleye are released into the lakes, and anglers race against the clock to catch one worth thousands of dollars.
Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park features live music and concerts all summer long.
Visitors to Arnolds Park can enjoy a round of golf at Emerald Hills.
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Quick access to neighboring cities via Highway 71
The community has no public transportation, so residents depend on cars. Highway 71 is the city’s main artery. It passes most of the area’s attractions, allowing quick access, and crosses over the lakes into neighboring cities. It also directly connects to Lakes Regional Healthcare, 4 miles north. Arnolds Park is 104 miles, or under 2 hours, from Sioux Falls Regional Airport, the closest commercial airport.
Highway 71 runs through Arnolds Park, as well as the rest of the cities that make up the area.
Locals and visitors alike can walk or boat across most of Arnolds Park.
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Arnolds Park students attend schools in Milford
Students attend Okoboji Community Schools in the neighboring city of Milford. First is Okoboji Elementary School, which has a B-plus from Niche. Due to increased enrollment, the district is building a new elementary school. Next is Okoboji Middle School, which has a B-plus. Okoboji High School has a B-minus score and hosts an annual Adulting Day. Local businesses and community organizations come to help seniors learn real-world skills, from budgeting to self-defense and basic automobile maintenance.
Arnolds Park's young students begin their educations at Okoboji Elementary School.
Arnolds Park students continue their educations at Okoboji Middle School.
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Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Dylan Stowell
Video By
Charles Kennedy
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kolette Delperdang,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Arnolds Park, IA sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Arnolds Park, IA over the last 12 months is $605,450, up 28% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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