Emmetsburg is a peaceful city on the shores of Five Island Lake
Tourists visit Emmetsburg because of Five Island Lake, but locals know it as a peaceful Northwest Iowa community. Settled by Irish immigrants in 1856, the city has a hospital, library and community college. However, its main draw is the recreation in and around the city. Besides the lake, there are six parks, several wildlife management areas and the Des Moines River. Emmetsburg has restaurants and grocery stores, and Spencer is only about 25 miles away.
Lakefront activities include a golf course, a local park, bike paths
At Five Island Lake, residents and tourists alike boat, swim and fish. There is a beach along the shore, as well as campgrounds like those at Kearney State Park. During the winter, people go ice skating or snowmobiling. The Shores at Five Island is more than an event venue; it has a restaurant and Five Island Golf. This nine-hole course is open to the public, although members get a discounted fee. When locals want a lake day a little farther from home, they travel about 40 miles to Lake Okoboji. “That is the most attractive recreational place in Iowa, bar none,” says Thomas Geelan, Realtor and broker with Farm & Home Services.
The rest of Emmetsburg’s recreation ranges from lakeside destinations like Soper Park to the Five Island Trail, a multiuse trail that wraps around the shore. There is a playground, disc golf course and volleyball court at Harrison Park. Basswood Recreation Area has hiking trails and a boat ramp onto the West Fork of the Des Moines River about 1 mile away. It is also a popular destination for hunting and fishing, with game like deer, turkey and wood ducks. The Emmetsburg Public Library hosts events like movie nights, LEGO Club and Storytime.
Emmetsburg has a mix of older homes and newer lakefront properties
Sidewalks line some of Emmetsburg’s residential roads, where oak trees shade grassy front lawns. “The housing market in town, away from the lake, is pretty typical of most small communities in Northwest Iowa,” Geelan says. Homes date back to the late 19th and early 20th century, including Victorian-era and National Folk-style properties. Mid-20th-century residences include ranch-style houses. Some older properties are near the lake, and some newer construction is also near the water. Depending on size and condition, houses generally range from $90,000 to $380,000. Investment properties have sold for as little as $20,000, and larger lakefront homes cost $500,000 to $850,000.
Emmetsburg Community Schools are well-rated
Public education is available through the Emmetsburg Community School District. West Elementary earns a B-plus from Niche, while Emmetsburg Middle and High schools receive a B-minus. The high school has five Advanced Placement courses on campus, although more options are available through the Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy. Emmetsburg Catholic School, which is unrated by Niche, is the only private education option in the area and serves preschoolers through eighth graders. Iowa Lakes Community College has over 70 degrees, certifications and pre-professional programs. It offers bachelor’s degrees through Buena Vista Community College.
Events include St. Patrick’s Day and Palo Alto County Fair
Emmetsburg honors its Irish heritage with its multiday St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Programming includes the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a bean bag tournament, live music and community meals like a fish fry and corned beef. Every August, the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce puts on BestFest. This day-long celebration of community has a vendor market, live music and a cookout. In the evening, adults can try craft beers, wines and ciders at BrewFest and stay for the Street Dance, a late-night block party for anyone 21 and older.
As the county seat, Emmetsburg hosts the Palo Alto County Fair every summer. Events include livestock shows put on by local 4-H and Future Farmers of America chapters, antique tractor rides and kid-friendly activities and entertainment.
Dining options include regional chains and local restaurants
With a mix of chains like A&W Family Restaurant and locally owned establishments, Geelan says, “There’s plenty of places to eat.” Kirby’s Cafe serves comfort food like country fried steak and patty melts and is part of Family Table, which owns 16 restaurants across Northwest Iowa. At Don Jose Mexican Restaurant, the menu includes staples like enchiladas and fajitas. Lucky’s Sports Grill is an American-style restaurant inside Wild Rose Casino & Resort, which Geelan says attracts visitors and locals. Locals get groceries at Fareway or Dollar Fresh, and Walmart is 25 miles away. The Gardeners Market sells fresh produce on Thursdays from June to October.
U.S. Route 18 leads about 25 miles to Spencer
Residents rely on cars to get around. U.S. Route 18 goes through Emmetsburg and into Spencer. Des Moines is about a 160-mile, or two-and-a-half-hour, drive. People can fly out of the international airport there or travel about 70 miles to Fort Dodge Regional Airport, which has daily flights to Chicago. Palo Alto County Health System is in the city.
