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| Hiking & Biking |
Off the Beaten Path
They wind throughout the Iowa Great Lakes Region like ribbons of freedom. They are, in fact, The Dickinson County Recreational Trails, picturesque avenues of transportation for bikers, hikers, runners, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. The trail system is a safe place for family or solitary enjoyment as the path winds along rural, community and nature areas. The "spine" of the system is a 14-mile, hard surfaced trail that accommodates two-way recreational traffic, winding through the heart of the famous Iowa Great Lakes and joining the four communities of Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Arnolds Park and Milford. Sixty miles of signed biking routes loop from the spine over low-traffic county roads for users who want a more challenging workout while enjoying the rural countryside.
The trail rambles through wildlife areas, along the shore of East Lake Okoboji and through downtown Okoboji, truly giving trail enthusiasts a diverse experience. With popular crystal blue lakes, sandy beaches, specialty shops, golf courses, tennis courts and biking events thoughout the year, the spine trail offers many interesting entertainment alternatives.
The trail has grown significantly since its inception and is currently being constructed around Big Spirit lake, with plans to carry it into neighboring Minnesota. With an asphalt surface and no user fees, the trail has grown in popularity over the seasons. The system is open year around, with no restrictive hours.
Ivan Brown of Spirit Lake, the chairperson for the Dickinson County Trails Association, made the announcement last summer that the Iowa Great Lakes Trail was given a notable distinction as a Community Millenium Trail by the White House Millennium Council. This will allow people from across the country who are looking for trail riding possibilities to see what Dickinson County has to offer. The motto for the Millennium Council was "Honor the Past-Imagine the Future," and as an application the Dickinson County Trails Association illustrated how the Iowa Great Lakes Trail is over 14 miles long and growing, with expansion already spreading to the north.
The designation as a Community Millenium Trail means also that the Iowa Great Lakes Trail will be listed on the www.millenniumtrail.org website, along with several other related websites to promote the Iowa Great Lakes Region as a location for hikers, bikers, walkers and nature lovers.
For those familiar wtih the loveliness of the trail system and who would like to make a donation for its improvement, contributions can be made to the following address: Friends of the Trails, P.O. Box 304, Okoboji, Iowa 51355. |
| Biking Events in 2001: |
| Three organized bike rides are held each year. The University of Okoboji Campus Classic, with 25, 50 and 100-miles rides, is held the last Saturday in June. BRASL (Bike Ride Around Spirit Lake) has 14, 35 and 65-mile rides and is set for the second Saturday in July. The Oktoberfest ride, with laps of 25 and 50 miles, takes place on the first Saturday in October. |
Parking Along the Trials
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| • MILFORD - 13th Street and P Avenue |
| • ARNOLDS PARK - 1/4 mile east of Hwy. 71 on Dam Road and at Lower Gar State Park |
| • OKOBOJI - Near the Ranch Amusement Park at 175th Street and 240th Avenue |
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• SPIRIT LAKE - 23rd Street and Lincoln Avenue
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