Just south of the Minnesota border is Lake Okoboji, which passes through the cities of Okoboji, Arnolds Park, and Milford, with East Okoboji Lake leading to Spirit Lake. The Sioux Indians called this area Minnetonka, which translates to Great Waters.
Okoboji has acres of great waters to offer its visitors, as well as several RV campgrounds! Okoboji RV Parks are hidden gems for a quick weekend trip or an all-summer getaway for Minnesota residents.
Let’s look at seven Okoboji RV Parks you need to check out!
1. Camp Boji Seasonal RV Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa
Camp Boji Seasonal RV Park is one of the best Okoboji RV parks to stay at for campers with kids who will be begging to go to the area’s famous amusement park.
Located just six blocks from Arnolds Park Amusement Park, Camp Boji is a great Okoboji RV park for families to park their campers for the summer.
Host a family reunion, community potluck, or birthday party in the community room, which is fully stocked with a kitchen and indoor plumbing.
There are 60 RV spaces available from May through October 15th. Monthly and full-season reservations are allowed. Enjoy your home away from home with wireless internet and cable television.
Campers have access to a propane fill on-site, a store, a laundry facility, and a weekend coffee shop. Small dogs are allowed.
2. Gull Point State Park in Milford, Iowa
Gull Point State Park is one of the area’s four state parks and is one of the most popular Okoboji RV parks. The park provides access to an extensive trail system known as the Iowa Great Lakes Bike Trail System for bikers, hikers, and walkers to explore.
The park has 52 standard electric and 52 standard non-electric spaces available for camping all year round. Reservations for select spaces can be made online.
Campers enjoy taking in the cultural and natural park setting. The beach offers the perfect setting to sunbathe or swim in clear water.
Boating, fishing, and jet skiing are popular water activities. Though some campers prefer to just sit back and bird watch since many varieties flock to Gull Point State Park. Hikers and nature lovers especially enjoy walking the Barney Peterson Nature Trail.
The Gull Point Lodge was built in the 1930s and can host wedding receptions, family reunions, and other get-togethers. It includes an indoor fireplace, kitchen, and indoor plumbing. There are also three open shelters available within the park for get-togethers.
3. Fieldstone RV Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa
Fieldstone RV Park is located one and a half miles from Arnolds Park Amusement Park and only a few miles from nearby golf courses. This Okoboji RV park offers proximity to everything you want to see in the area.
With over 200 sites available for full-season use, you can enjoy RV camping all year round. The park offers laundry and bath facilities, plus a clubhouse with Internet access.
Pets with rabies vaccination certification are welcome! A store is available for firewood, but note that not all sites have fire rings.
An adult must accompany campers under the age of 18, and tent camping is not allowed at this Okoboji RV park. Read all the campground rules before you arrive!
4. Emerson Bay State Recreation in Milford, Iowa
Emerson Bay State Recreation Area is one of the most popular places to camp in Iowa because it’s well-shaded, features paved roads, and even has handicap access. You’re sure to fall in love with this Okoboji RV park.
The Okoboji RV park features 82 RV camping sites available from April 1st through September 30th, with reservations able to be made online for select sites up to a year in advance. All sites offer 50 amp electric hookups, and several have access to water and sewer.
Emerson Bay is located near the Iowa Great Lakes Bike Trail System and only one mile from the Barney Peterson Nature Trail at Gull Point State Park.
Anglers enjoy the challenging sport of pursuing walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, bluegills, and many other fish varieties. The lake features plenty of space for boating.
Emerson Bay is a great place to have a family picnic and watch the kids play at the playground or open grass areas.
5. Elinor Bedell State Park in Spirit Lake, Iowa
Elinor Bedell State Park is one of Iowa’s newest state parks and the only Okoboji RV park located on East Okoboji Lake on this list.
The 80-acre park was gifted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by Berkley and Elinor Bedell. Berkley represented Iowa’s sixth congressional district, which includes Okoboji, from 1975 to 1987. He and his wife dreamt of permanently protecting this space for future generations.
This park promotes special attention to prairies, wetlands, and Oakland savanna landscapes. The paved, accessible 7,500 feet trail system throughout the park features restored landscapes intended for education and recreation.
A large shelter with indoor plumbing is available for rentals, and a playground is available next to the shelter with special equipment for toddlers ages two to five.
Eight full hook-ups with water, sewage, and electricity are available from April 1st through October 15th and can be reserved online up to three months in advance. Pets allowed!
6. Cedar Ridge Campground in Arnolds Park, Iowa
Cedar Ridge Campground is your home away from home from May 1st to September 30th if you’re looking for an Okoboji RV park to leave your RV all summer.
This Okoboji RV park only accepts seasonal sites. The park is growing and had 67 sites in 2020, with plans to have 165 sites when the project is complete.
A clubhouse is on-site and hosts social events like trick or treating in October. The campground has also hosted horse racing. Check out the campground’s active Facebook page for updates on upcoming events and activities.
The 35×70 RV sites include full hook-ups, sewer, and garbage. Electricity is the responsibility of the resident. Decks are allowed with management approval.
Lake access is available on the east side of the Upper Gar, and management provides boat slips for an additional fee on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Golf carts are available with management’s approval, but note that the City of Arnolds Park requires you to fill out a golf cart application and pay the necessary fees to drive your golf cart off the property.
Pets are allowed with management approval.
7. Minnewashta Campground in Arnolds Park, Iowa
Minnewashta Campground is a city campground owned by the City of Arnolds Park and is a great place to RV camp if you’re looking for a weekend getaway.
The park is located on Lake Minnewashta and is about four blocks from Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Camping is first-come, first-serve, with no reservations allowed.
This Okoboji RV park has 15 sites, all with water and three with electricity. A maximum night stay of 14 nights is enforced in any 30 days.
A dump station is available across the street from the park under the water tower.
Learn more about the City of Arnolds Park and park amenities.
Fun Activities Near Lake Okoboji
If you’re going to be spending any amount of time near Lake Okoboji, why not venture off the campground and explore the culture of this historical area? There are plenty of amusement, festivals, and places to eat and drink!
Arnolds Park Amusement Park
Arnolds Park Amusement Park is a historic amusement park that officially opened in 1889 and offers 23 rides on 20 acres of land. It is one of three amusement parks in the state of Iowa. The amusement is free for all to enter, though you must pay to ride.
The park features the Queen II, a large steamer. The Queen was constructed in the late 19th century to keep up with the flow of vacationers flocking to Okoboji. Before the 1920s, there were not many roads around the lakes, so the lake was the primary mode of transportation.
A variety of family rides, thrill rides, and kids rides are also available for those who love thrills!
County Fairs
The Dickinson County Fair and neighboring Clay County Fair bring crowds to the area each year. Plan your trip early if you plan to RV camp in Okoboji around fair time because these campgrounds fill up fast!
Free Concerts
The City of Arnolds Park has a great summer concert series called Live at the Lake that features different bands every weekend from the last weekend in May through the first weekend in September.
Golfing
Golfing is a popular activity visitors to Okoboji enjoy. The area features numerous golf courses, with Emerald Hills being the top-rated one in the area.
Restaurants
The area is home to several historical and upbeat restaurants for visitors to enjoy. Arnolds Park is especially home to an array of restaurants to choose from. Note that some restaurants may close for the winter season.
Check out this Okoboji Dining Guide or our guide of 10 Things to Do in Okoboji, which includes links to some great restaurants.
Wrapping up 7 Okoboji RV Parks You Need to Check out
You’re all set to head out to an Okoboji RV park or two or seven. Before you pack your RV, check out this Minnesota lake camping guide for other nearby destinations to park your RV for a fun time!
- About the Author
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Nicole Kinkade loves taking regular road trips with her family around Minnesota. She especially enjoys visiting the Twin Cities area, where she can often be found hanging out at Mall of America and Como Park. Her favorite Minnesota restaurant is Fat Lorenzo’s!
With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an associate’s degree in Media Communication, Nicole is passionate about sharing her experiences with others through writing. She is currently writing full-time and loves every minute of it.
Nicole can be reached at [email protected]