Smith Lake Park

Smith Lake Entrance
Smith Lake Entrance
Camp and Fish
Camping
Bird Blind

Smith Lake in the fall
Smith Lake Bridge
Ice Fishing

Smith Lake Park offers a great variety of outdoor activities all year long, including: camping, fishing, hiking, cross country skiing, picnicking, and bird watching just to name a few.  It is also home to the Water's Edge Nature Center.


Youtube video of the lake and Nature Center by " Watchable Wildlife of NW Iowa".

Location

Smith Lake can be found by following Highway 169 3 miles north of Algona, Iowa.  The lake will be on the west side of the highway. 

Features

  • Two campgrounds. The north campground offers full hookups and seasonal rates. Click here for rules. 
  • Click the link for rules for the south campground.

  • The bass fishing here has been excellent for the past several years.  The panfishing is also above average.  Catfishing is very popular as well, especially when the summer heat arrives. Click here for more fishing information.  Click here for fish structure locations.

  • The 1.5 mile hiking trail takes you along the lake shore, through the stand of pines, past the nature center, across the dam, and through the tree garden.  It doubles as a groomed cross country ski trail in the winter.

  •  If you are a bird watcher, Smith Lake has several habitat types that attract many species of birds.  Be sure to check out the bird blind on the southwest corner of the lake.
  •  There are two shelters, one enclosed, one open.  These are available by reservation, or by first come first served.  The enclosed shelter in the campground can be reserved for $40.  The open shelter on the north side of the lake can be reserved for $25.
  • There are many picnic tables, with a few fire rings here and there, as well as some charcoal grills for your picnicking enjoyment. 


Operating Hours & Seasons

The park is always open for public enjoyment.  However the campground closes at the end of October every year for the winter.  It reopens around April 15th weather permitting. 

Closures

The park is always open for public enjoyment.  However the campground closes at the end of October every year for the winter.  It reopens around April 15th weather permitting.