Dickinson County

Biking at Iowa Great Lakes Trail
The Iowa Great Lakes Trail winds its way through the Iowa Great Lakes region, which offers plenty of outdoor opportunities for visitors-from its popular blue lakes and sandy beaches to quieter natural areas, many protected with INHF assistance. The multi-use Iowa Great Lakes Trail provides local citizens and visitors a safe place to bike, walk, rollerblade, run and cross-country ski. The trail winds along rural, community and nature areas in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes Region, including Spirit Lake, Okoboji, West Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Milford and Lake Park. The “spine” of the system is a 14-mile, ten-foot wide, hard-surface trail that accommodates two-way recreational traffic. Connecting to the spine trail are several other shorter trails to explore, including the Kenue Park Trail, Arnolds Park City Trail and Spirit Lake City trail. The trail has already been extended and now loops around the east and west sides of Big Spirit Lake where it joins the Loon Lake Trail (Jackson County, MN) at the Mini-Wakan State Park. Two new trails now meander up the west side of West Lake Okoboji and a new trailhead can be found along Hwy. 86 in Wahpeton.

Camping at Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area
Size: 180 acres
Established: October of 1971
Horseshoe Bend Features

• Picnic area with shelter houses, available for rent
• Modern restroom facilities
• Winter sports area with skiing & tubing facilities, lifts, lodge & modern restroom facilities
• Mowed trails throughout area used for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing
• Six primitive camping sites
• Canoe launch on the Little Sioux River
• Fishing on the Little Sioux River

Natural Description: Dissected by Little Sioux River, wide variety of terrain including lowland
                                      and upland forest, meadow, marsh, prairie and river

Canoeing & Kayaking at Spooky Hallow Canoe Access
Spooky Hallow Canoe Access is the second stop on the Little Sioux River water trail.

NOTICE:   The Little Sioux River is classified as a non-meandered stream. This means that the river bottom is private property. Adjacent landowners have the right to fence across the river. Respect landowner’s property and negotiate their fences with care.

Historic Visits at Kenue Park
The Westport Rural School # 5 has four rooms: one clock room, office, classroom and a stage room. The school was built in 1896. We have the original deed and the minutes from the secretary’s minutes indicating the lumber and materials were purchased in 1897. The total cost was about $1,000.00. The stage area was added on about World War I time and is separated from the classroom by some folding doors. The room also has its own entry with a covered porch. Westport School #5 was used as a classroom until 1952. After 1952 until 1996 it was used as a Community Center for Farm Bureau meeting, voting precinct and social gatherings. It was moved to its present location in Kenue Park in 1996. It is available for public and private tours!

Winter Activities at Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area
The Horseshoe Bend Winter Sports Facility includes

• Modern restrooms
• Warming House with large fire place, picnic tables, and concessions stand
• Tubing and ski hill with tow ropes, included in hill rental
• Tubes for sledding, included in hill rental
• Available for parties and groups