Elinor Bedell State Park is a state park in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States. It is located on the east shore of East Okoboji Lake and represents one of the last remaining open spaces on the Iowa Great Lakes. The 80-acre (32 ha) park was a gift of former U.S. Congressman Berkley Bedell and his wife Elinor.[1]
| Elinor Bedell State Park | |
|---|---|
  Location of Elinor Bedell State Park in Iowa  Elinor Bedell State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Dickinson County, Iowa, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°24′44″N 95°4′14″W / 43.41222°N 95.07056°W |
| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,408 ft (429 m) |
| Established | 1998 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
Geography
editThe park preserves prairie, wetland, and oak savannah. Trees include red, white and black oak, aspens, Eastern white and Scots pine, and red and sugar maples. Nearby towns include Spirit Lake about 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of the park, and Okoboji and Arnolds Park about 5 miles (8.0 km) around the lake to the southwest.[1]
Facilities
editA small campground has eight sites with full RV hookups, a youth group site, a playground, modern restroom and a holding tank dump station. A shelter overlooking the lake can be rented for private events.[1] There is no beach or boat ramp within the park but several are accessible at other public facilities around the Iowa Great Lakes.[2]
Recreation
editElinor Bedell State Park has several miles of trails. A wildlife viewing blind is situated just off the trail for use by bird and wildlife watchers.[2] The area's lakes support game fish such as walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Elinor Bedell State Park". Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ a b "Elinor Bedell State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 28, 2011.