stay and explore at the shore
EAT
PLAY
STAY
Welcome to Clear Lake, Iowa
Clear Lake, Iowa, is a beautiful small town situated on a natural spring-fed lake in northern Iowa midway between Des Moines and Minneapolis. As a major stop on I-35, you’ll find a large selection of quality restaurants and accommodations, as well as a marina, state parks, and historic attractions. See firsthand what it means to live the lake life – from relaxing on the beach and water skiing to year-round fishing and sailing. Whether you are here for a weekend or looking to make Clear Lake your home, you are sure to enjoy all that our town has to offer.
What to Eat
While our town may be small, there’s no shortage of delicious food to enjoy. Delight in a signature sandwich from the award-winning Starboard Market. Partake in authentic Italian pasta or hand-stretched, made-to-order pizza while enjoying a view of the lake at Ge-Jo’s By the Lake. Experience genuine Irish hospitality, crowd-pleasing food or an ice-cold beer at Bennigan’s. Kick off any day of fun with a homemade, gourmet donut from South Shore Donut Co. With so many wonderful options, there’s a flavor to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
What to Do
There’s always somewhere to go, something to do or somewhere to see in Clear Lake. Take a moment to remember rock ‘n’ roll legends at the Surf Ballroom. Play a round with friends on our beautiful golf courses. Enjoy a ride on the Lady of the Lake. Go hunting, fishing or sport shooting. Shop the local small businesses. Cruise around the lake in your boat, and so much more. Clear Lake offers a little something for everyone.
Where to Stay
No matter what type of trip brings you to Clear Lake, there’s a wonderful place for you and your family to stay. You’ll find nature-centered campgrounds with modern amenities, charming bed and breakfasts, comfortable hotels, and a variety of available vacation rentals to choose from. You’ll enjoy your stay that much more knowing you have a wonderful place to rest at the end of each day.
Featured Events
In Clear Lake, there are all kinds of events to enjoy throughout the year. Check out Color the Wind, which is known as the Midwest’s largest and most colorful winter kite festival. Celebrate the 4th of July with our large festival, parade, craft show, and fireworks display. Enjoy everything Clear Lake’s Main Avenue during Thursdays on Main in the summer or at the annual fall Harvest Festival. Immerse yourself in holiday traditions with Christmas by the Lake. There are also other fun things to do throughout the year, like 5K races, car shows, live music, and so much more.
Color the Wind
February 18, 2023
Earth Day
April 16 - 23, 2022
TRI Clear Lake
May 28, 2022
Thursdays on Main
Starting June 2, 2022
4th of July
June 29 – July 5, 2022
Harvest Festival
October 1, 2022
Christmas by the Lake
December 3, 2022
Event Blog Posts
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Latest Blog Posts
Clear Lake Aeration System
An insurance policy for future fish BY: RACHEL WUMKES The Clear Lake Aeration System is a tool to increase the concentration of dissolved oxygen to address symptoms of eutrophication. This simply means the lake has too many nutrients. Often caused by runoff from the...
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce 2022 Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration
The Chamber Celebrates 80 Years Clear Lake Chamber Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation held at Surf Ballroom BY: RACHEL WUMKES Dignitaries, city officials and chamber members gathered inside the Surf Ballroom on Friday, January 27, to attend the Clear Lake Chamber...
Rebuilding a Piece of History – The Old Oaks Hotel
The Old Oaks Hotel BY: RACHEL WUMKES A common hobby amongst Americans today is taking the old and making it look new. Antiques are refurbished into modern pieces and placed inside sleek homes. Turning trash into treasure by upcycling used items has become like to...
Winter Dance Party 2023
Rock ‘n’ Roll is here to stay! BY: RACHEL WUMKES The rock and roll era sent shockwaves across the country. It wasn’t just a musical revolution for the young teenagers, but a social and generational rebellion across all ages. A central and pioneering figure during the...
Surf Celebrates 75 Years of Keeping the Music Alive
Rock 'n' Roll Forever BY: RACHEL WUMKES A long, long time ago. Seventy-five years to be exact. After the original building was lost in a blaze of fire and smoke, plans were quickly put into place for a rebuild of the entertainment hot spot. Located directly across...