Campground Closure: Due to an upcoming renovation the campground is currently not accepting reservations for 2025. The north half of the campground is expected to open around June 1. The south half of the campground will remain closed the entire 2025 recreation season. If you want to be notified if the closure is modified, fill out the following form, Clear Lake Campground Google Form.
(Posted December 31, 2024)
(Posted December 31, 2024)
Lodge Closure: The Clear Lake Lodge will be closed from September 2, 2025 - September 30, 2025 and May 1 - September 30, 2026 for repairs/renovation. DNR can notify you if the project is completed sooner and the closure is removed, allowing for rentals. If you wish to be notified when the lodge reopens, fill out the following form: Clear Lake Lodge Google Form. (Posted February 26, 2025)
Campground Operations:: The campground is closed each year from December 1 - March 31.
Book a Campsite at Clear Lake State Park, IA
Overview
Description
Clear Lake State Park is located on the southeast corner of the beautiful 3,643 acre Clear Lake, one of the major outdoor recreation features of northern Iowa. Although the state park is only 55 acres, it offers a tremendous diversity of recreational opportunities due to its location on the lake as well as its natural beauty.
This park is characterized by rolling ground with open, mature groves of oak trees. Several small draws and thickets provide habitat for owls, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, many species of songbirds and an occasional deer. Scenic Woodford Island is a 3 acre island managed primarily for wildlife habitat and is an excellent spot for fishing.
Recreation:
Lake Activities
The 900 foot sandy beach offers unsupervised swimming and is a great place for swimmers and sunbathers, young and old.
Clear Lake is a great place for fishermen throughout the year. The lake offers good fishing for walleyes, muskie, northern pike, bullheads, catfish, yellow bass, crappies, and other panfish. Boaters enjoy skiing, jet skiing, sightseeing, wind surfing and sailing.
Facilities:
Picnicking/Shelter/Lodge
The park features more than 10 acres of picnic grounds with tables and grills. The shady picnic areas provide a great place for a family cookout. Playground equipment for small children is located in the picnic area adjacent to the campground. An open picnic shelter is available for online reservations.
A day-use lodge is located in the picnic area near the beach. Built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, this impressive historical facility is a great place for such group events as weddings, family reunions, company picnics, and other large group gatherings.
Camping
Clear Lake State Park has one of the most popular campgrounds in the Iowa state park system. The campground contains a modern restroom, shower facilities and trailer dump station.
Nearby Attractions:
Clear Lake offers the small-town, welcoming atmosphere along with large-town attractions. Visit the legendary Surf Ballroom, the site of many performances and the last performance of Buddy Holly, or walk downtown along the brick sidewalks to shop the antique stores and boutiques. Plan a summer excursion aboard the Lady of the Lake or take a bike ride around the lake. McIntosh Woods State Park is located on the northwest portion of the lake.
Nearby Towns
The park lies adjacent to the town of Clear Lake which contains a thriving business and civic community. A short distance away (12 miles) lies Mason City, one of the largest retail centers in northern Iowa. The town of Ventura lies 6 miles away to the town of Garner is 13 miles away.
Booking Window
Day-use Lodge
Sun Apr 27 2025 - Mon Apr 20 2026Reservations must be made 7 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Shelters
Sun Apr 27 2025 - Mon Apr 20 2026Reservations must be made 7 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Electric
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Full Hook-Up
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Non-Electric
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Season Dates
Clear Lake Lodge:
Reservable: May 1 - September 30
Clear Lake Shelters:
Reservable: May 1 - September 30
Clear Lake Campground:
Closed: January 1 - March 31
Off Peak: April 1 - April 30
Peak: May 1 - October 15
Off Peak: October 16 - November 30
Closed: December 1 - December 31
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Off Peak
Tue Apr 01 2025
Wed Apr 30 2025
Peak
Thu May 01 2025
Wed Oct 15 2025
Off Peak
Thu Oct 16 2025
Sun Nov 30 2025
Off Peak
Wed Apr 01 2026
Thu Apr 30 2026
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Dump Station
- Fishing
- Handicap Access
- Jet Skiing
- Jogging/Running
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Modern Restroom
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Swimming - Beach
- Telephone
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trash Dumpster
- Walking
- Water Hydrants
- Water Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Windsurfing/Sailboarding
Less Than 1 Mile
- ATM/Cash Machine
- Fuel, Boats
- Fuel, Vehicles
- Motel
- Retail, Bait & Tackle
- Retail, Drinks
- Retail, Firewood
- Retail, Ice
- Town
- Volleyball
Greater Than 1 Mile
- Antiquing
- Aquarium Display
- Boat Rental
- Church
- Grocery Store
- Hunting
- Laundry
- Marina
- Medical Clinic
- Museum
- Seasonal Festivals
Within 10 Miles
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Hospital
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2025 -
Apr 30 2025
Apr 01 2025 -
Apr 30 2025
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$25.00-$35.00
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$275.00
Peak Season
May 01 2025 -
Oct 15 2025
May 01 2025 -
Oct 15 2025
Standard Non-Electric
$17.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$35.00
Standard Electric
$25.00
Shelters
$25.00-$35.00
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$275.00
Off Peak Season
Oct 16 2025 -
Nov 30 2025
Oct 16 2025 -
Nov 30 2025
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$25.00-$35.00
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$275.00
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2026 -
Apr 30 2026
Apr 01 2026 -
Apr 30 2026
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$25.00-$35.00
Day-use Lodge
$50.00-$275.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
43.11028, -93.39444
43°6'37"N, 93°23'40"W
The address to the campground entrance is 6490 S Shore Drive. Take exit 193 off of I-35. Head West on Hwy 106 until the first four-way stop. Take a left to the South on 8th Ave and follow for about a mile. Then take a right on 27th S. Follow until stop sign. Park entrance is right across the road.
43.11028, -93.39444
43°6'37"N, 93°23'40"W
The address to the campground entrance is 6490 S Shore Drive. Take exit 193 off of I-35. Head West on Hwy 106 until the first four-way stop. Take a left to the South on 8th Ave and follow for about a mile. Then take a right on 27th S. Follow until stop sign. Park entrance is right across the road.
Nearby Parks
[3.13 miles*]
[12.62 miles*]
[19.63 miles*]
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