Massive body of water gives Clear Lake residents a waterside lifestyle
In Clear Lake, an afternoon on the boat or a leisurely swim can be as close as a step out the back door or a drive down the street. An almost 3,700-acre lake of the same name anchors this northern Iowa community, one of the largest natural lakes in the state. The water is a magnet for water sports, so much so that Clear Lake’s population balloons from 8,000 to 12,000 in the summer due to the abundance of seasonal residents. “It’s always got a good atmosphere over there,” says local Realtor Justin Rose of Realty ONE Group Welcome Home - Mason City, who has about five years of industry experience. “But in the summer it’s booming.”
State parks and city amenities surround the lakefront
Clear Lake is public, and places to access it aren’t hard to find. “There are public access docks basically on every block,” Rose says. Boating, windsurfing and jet skiing are popular pastimes here. The docks are also open to fishing. “There’s all sorts of different species of fish in there,” Rose says. “A lot of walleye and muskie and some bass and stripers.” Clear Lake State Park offers a swimming beach and hiking trails. McIntosh Woods State Park has more trails, on the opposite side of the lake. Another beach and two playground sets are available at City Park. Veterans Memorial Golf Club features an 18-hole course just off the water that's open to the public. Clear Lake also has a dog park and a complex with tennis courts, pickleball courts and a basketball court.
From century-old bungalows to New Traditional lakefront homes
The interest in Clear Lake contributes to the community’s eclectic housing stock. Options vary from early 1900s bungalows to recently built New Traditional homes. Lakefront properties are some of the most coveted, regardless of age. Many feature docks out back. “It’s very expensive on the water,” Rose says. “A lot of them are owned by out-of-towners or handed down within families sometimes.” Single-family homes on the lake sell for $950,000 to $2 million, while waterfront condos go for $380,000 to $640,000. Properties off the water may start at $130,000 and reach up to $800,000, based on age and square footage.
Seasonal festivals include fireworks, parades and holiday markets
This area’s outdoor spirit fosters its wide assortment of activities for residents. “They have a lot of community involvement,” Rose says. The annual Fourth of July celebration is one of the staples, the longest-running Independence Day event in the state. Clear Lake attracts tens of thousands for its Fourth of July festival, and it features a carnival, a parade and fireworks over the water. “They have a great fireworks show,” Rose says. December brings Christmas by the Lake, a four-day affair with a 5K run, a tree lighting, a holiday market and a lighted parade. Weekly activities include Thursdays on Main, which happens on Thursday evenings from early June through mid-August. “It’s a very popular event, with a bunch of vendors and a car show,” Rose says.
Waterside strip is a hub of activity
Clear Lake’s Main Avenue is a packed thoroughfare with several restaurants and other businesses, plus a lake view. Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse is known for its ribeyes but also for its breakfast menu, offering omelets, pancakes, French toast, chicken-fried steak and more. Starboard Market is a draw for its sandwiches, salads and desserts. Livonia’s Coffee Bar is an option for a caffeine boost, while Lake Time Brewery has 10 brews on tap. A night in can come with a home-cooked meal with groceries from regional chain Randy’s Neighborhood Market. Homebuyers can shop for furnishings at Main Avenue’s family-owned Wilcox Furniture, and browse the housewares at Larson’s Mercantile.
A night out in Clear Lake can mean seeing a concert at the legendary Surf Ballroom, open since 1948. The venue also has a spot in history, as it was the last place rock pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson performed before they died in a 1959 plane crash just outside the community.
School activities nurture arts and sciences
The Clear Lake Community School District maintains a B-plus grade from Niche. Students at Clear Lake Elementary can participate in a monthly 4-H meeting, offering STEM activities and crafts. Clear Lake Middle has a robotics club and a choir group. Activities at Clear Lake High include Model UN and a drama club. All three schools have B-plus ratings.
Residents can get around by car or cart
Sidewalks increase the walkability of many of Clear Lake’s blocks, but locals can scoot around even faster on a golf cart. The community allows carts and off-road utility vehicles on the streets if they have a permit sticker. Part of Interstate 35 runs through Clear Lake, helping drivers access the rest of the region. The Waterloo Regional Airport is about 90 miles away using I-35 and U.S. routes 18 and 218. Waterloo Regional offers daily flights to Chicago.
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
