Set sail on Saylorville Lake for maritime fun close to home. If you have more time, plan a weekend in Okoboji, pictured right, for even more lake adventures.
Writer: Brianne Sanchez
Photos: Duane Tinkey
The rhythmic lap of water on the shore. That feeling of sand between your toes. Even in landlocked Iowa, you can channel the calm of coastline sunsets.
All you have to do is designate a first mate and dip your paddle at “backyard” boating spots. Otherwise, if you have a whole weekend, set sail on Clear Lake or create the Okoboji booze cruise moments that make summers memorable.
WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF CENTRAL DES MOINES
Party on a pontoon boat at Saylorville Lake
The marina in Polk City is close enough for even a quick weeknight jaunt, and the boat rentals are easier to secure mid-week during peak season. The Aloha 30 double-decker pontoon with a water slide accommodates 15 passengers for a memorable happy hour cruise. BYOB and a cooler or cap off an evening by treating your crew to dinner and drinks at The Soggy Frog, the new, double-decker floating bar and grill. saylorvillelakemarina.com
Float beneath bridges at Easter Lake
Des Moines’ largest lake offers easy access to natural beauty and tranquility on the city’s southeast side. The Athene North Shore Recreation Area received national acclaim when it opened in 2024 because it features ADA-compliant water amenities, a 24-foot pontoon boat that accommodates wheelchairs and rentable adaptive kayaks, perfect for gliding under the lake’s pedestrian bridges. Boaters should follow “no wake” rules and keep an eye out for walleye, bass and catfish in the coves. northshorerecarea.org
Canoe with the kids at Raccoon River Park
Pack snacks and practice paddling with the whole fam in four-person rental canoes at this West Des Moines park. Call ahead and reserve watercraft with CanoeSport Outfitters at the Raccoon River Park Boathouse. The staff estimates most paddlers can cover the distance from the boat ramp to the beach in under an hour. If you have more time, try a lake-to-river portage, with shuttle service. canoesportoutfitters.com
WITHIN AN HOUR OF DES MOINES
Pick your pace on Lake Red Rock If your version of summer fun involves heart-pumping sprint car racing at the Knoxville Raceway, spring for the six-passenger Regal 2000 speedboat, available for rent nearby at the Red Rock Marina in Marion County. Pontoons and high-speed tritoon boats are also available. redrockmarina.com
For something more serene, find blissful balance on a standup paddle board at Roberts Creek East, a calm section of the lake near Otley. Reserve a board, life jackets and paddles through SUP Red Rock to access a keyless rental 20 feet from the water’s edge. SUP Red Rock also has a storefront on Franklin Street in Pella. redrockarea.com
WITH AMENITIES FOR A FULL WEEKEND
Have fun on Clear Lake
Summer weekends get a head start with “Thursdays on Main” evening street parties filled with live music, food trucks, classic cars and family fun centered in Clear Lake’s City Park. Several shops around the lake offer daily rentals for boats and watersport gear. The 3,684-acre natural lake has an average depth of 10 feet, making it an excellent destination for fishing. Charter a guided excursion through Clear Lake Bait & Tackle and don’t miss the convenient cleaning station at McIntosh Woods State Park. The campground and rentable yurts are all within walking distance of a picturesque peninsula beach. clearlakeiowa.com
Learn to sail on Lake Okoboji
The Okoboji Sailing Center offers classes for adults and youth. Lessons begin in a classroom, then move outside to West Okoboji Lake, with an opportunity to try your hand at the helm. After class ends in the evening, adult students can stick around for a cash-bar social. okobojisailingcenter.org
Beach rentals and hotel options abound in this summer hotspot. Fillenwarth Beach Resort, just a few blocks north of the historic Arnolds Park Amusement Park, began welcoming families to West Lake Okoboji in 1918. The family-run vacation spot offers complimentary amenities for guests staying in the cottage, studio or apartment accommodations. Cruise on custom-crafted 49-foot boats, water ski with tournament boats and instructors, sail with experienced captains on the 28-foot racing sailboat, take “swimmercize” classes in the pool or simply sun on the docks. fillenwarthbeach.com
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