Year-round water activities bring buyers to Spirit Lake
Located in the northwest corner of Iowa, Spirit Lake offers a year-round vacation lifestyle. Spirit Lake is just one of several communities that make up the broader Iowa Great Lakes region. Summer is the busy season, bringing vacationers and seasonal residents, but the fun lasts throughout the winter. Whether it's outdoor activity, taking in a live performance or enjoying a meal at a locally owned restaurant, homeowners can always find something to do in the area. "Most people come to live in the area because of the lakes and all the activities that go on throughout the year," says Aaron Jones, the broker and owner of Re/Max Lakes Realty, with 14 years of experience. "It gets kind of quiet in the winter, but we do have a lot of activities. We get two feet of ice, so we have ice fishing, snowmobiling, side-by-sides and all kinds of stuff."
Lakefront and city homes in northwestern Iowa
Buyers can find a broad mix of housing styles throughout Spirit Lake. Many waterfront homes are newly constructed contemporary properties with flat roofs and sharp edges. Others include New Traditional and Craftsman-style houses. Lakefront properties frequently have private docks for boat storage, fishing or enjoying the view. Buyers can find Craftsmans, bungalows and ranch-style homes on suburban streets near the city's downtown. Tall, leafy trees and sidewalks fill the front yards, adding a quaint neighborhood feel to the area. The median sales price is around $450,000, and homes are typically more expensive on the water.
Swimming, fishing and boating in the Iowa Great Lakes
Water activity is a way of life in Spirit Lake, with several spots for outdoor fun around the community. Residents can swim on the beach at Pikes Point State Park or cast a line at Emerson Bay State Recreation Area on West Okojobi Lake. Templar State Recreation Area has a boat ramp in a protected lagoon on Big Spirit Lake, making it a convenient spot to launch a boat, even during rough weather. Several other state parks and recreation areas around the lakes offer swimming, fishing, hiking and boating. Memorial Park has 1,500 feet of shoreline, including a beach and two docks. Residents can also enjoy the playground, splash pad and horseshoe pits.
Community spirit is high at annual events
Thousands of people flock to the region every winter for the University of Okoboji Winter Games. The university is not real, but is an idea created by residents to celebrate the community spirit and camaraderie of the region. The Winter Games have been held each January since 1981 and include several events, such as a polar plunge, chili cook-off, flag football tournament and softball tournament on the frozen lakes. There is also live music and fireworks to close out the festivities on Saturday night. Year-round attractions in the area include Arnolds Park Amusement Park, which has roller coasters, carnival rides and games. The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum displays the community's boating history, while Pearson Lakes Art Center hosts performances throughout the year.
Locally owned restaurants offer casual and fine dining options
Waterfront restaurants throughout the lakes region offer several choices for a meal with a view. "I would say Maxwell's is probably a local favorite, and that's a seasonal restaurant on the lake," Jones says. "Other popular restaurants and bars are The Ritz and Okoboji Store." Maxwell's Beach Cafe is an award-winning fine dining restaurant in Arnold's Park known for its locally sourced products. Within Spirit Lake, Burger & Company is known for its creative burgers and patio seating. Shops in downtown Spirit Lake include a consignment store, boutiques and a bike shop. Groceries are available at Hy-Vee, while other home goods can be found at Walmart.
Highly rated schools in Spirit Lake
Students might attend Spirit Lake Elementary School, which earns an A-minus from Niche, and Spirit Lake Middle School, rated a B-plus. Spirit Lake High School also earns a B-plus and offers several career and technical education programs. Students can study industries like agriculture, business and health sciences. Students can take dual credit courses in biology and Spanish through Iowa Lakes Community College.
Highways offer commutes around the Midwest
U.S. Route 71 is the main highway through the community, leading north into Minnesota and south through Iowa. Iowa Highway 86 and Interstate 90 offer a 101-mile drive west to Sioux Falls, typically taking a little over 90 minutes. The closest hospital is Lakes Regional Healthcare, located in Spirit Lake.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
