Dog Friendly Okoboji, Iowa
We’re lucky to live in the incredibly dog friendly suburbs of Twin Cities of Minnesota. But, since we have vacationed in Okoboji every year to celebrate our anniversary, and now have a seasonal site, we’ve gotten pretty good at knowing which places are dog friendly. So consider this my service to fellow dog-loving tourists of the Okoboji area.
Dog Friendly Lodging
The first thing to know is Okoboji is an incredibly popular tourist town. Book EARLY. It can also be expensive during the peak season. If you’re a bargain hunter, wait until late August and the rates are typically less, but this is because half of the staff has gone back to school, so the lower price comes with fewer services.
We were loyal customers of this place for years, we even got married there. Fillenwarth is a great place to stay! They have tons of activities to enjoy; they’ll teach you to water ski, cruise you around the lake and tell you about the area history, taking you sailing, let you borrow paddleboats and canoes and of course, their famous Sun Runner cruises! We miss those Sun Runner cruises. (hey Fillenwarth, if you’re reading this, any chance you’d let us sneak on once in a while?)
Fillenwarth is a dog friendly hotel, they just ask that you crate your dogs when you leave them unattended in the room and of course that you notify them in advance you’re bringing dogs.
I can’t tell you first hand about any of these other options, we have only ever stayed at Fillenwarth before buying a camper.
2.) Okoboji Lodge
3. AmericInn
4.) Lake Okoboji Resort and Conference Center
Camping Options
The Iowa State Parks / Recreational Area offer some fantastic, affordable options for camping. You can find all the options here, but here are the three places we’ve camped before that I can tell you about from first hand experience. They are all dog friendly, but all of these parks also have a “never leave your dog unattended” rule. That means you aren’t supposed to leave them alone in your camper either. Boji Bark and Okoboji Dog Days offer doggie daycare if you want to drop off your dogs while you’re on a public cruise or dine indoors during a rainy day. I’m not saying we never bent that rule … but I am also a helicopter dog-mom so I had various monitoring options to make sure they weren’t barking their heads off and causing a ruckus. Your mileage may vary. Also, important to know if your pups love the lake: dogs are not allowed on the beaches at these state recreational areas. There are a few dog-friendly swimming options later in this post. Just know you can’t take fido for the short walk to the lake at these parks. This rule is strictly enforced – the DNR will yell at you if they catch you (I know this from personal experience!).
1.) Emerson Bay State Recreational Area
Our favorite campground is Emerson Bay. They have electric only sites that are right on the water, and full hookup sites just off the water. Some of the FHU sites have a little view of the lake, but they are all an easy walk down to the beach and docks. This campground is the closest to all the fun in Arnold’s Park, a short 5.5 miles away. The Great Lakes Recreation Trail takes you through and around the campground, offering easy access to everything.
2.) Marble Beach
Located on Big Spirit Lake, this place is a little further out from the touristy parts of town, and on the largest lake in Iowa. If you can get the right spot, and you want to spend more time at the campground, this is the place to be. Sites 0093 and 0094 are the best spots. They are right on the water, and have full hookups. We have been fortunate enough to snag these spots a couple of times. Lake views out every windows! Glorious. If you want an even better lakeview, there are several electric only sites directly on the water. The other sites are fine, but they don’t offer the stunning views.
I’ll be honest, this is our backup campground. There are eight, huge sites, all full hookups. They have converted the former camp host spot into a reservable spot, that is probably the best in the park since it has more privacy. This campground is a little further off the lake (about a half mile walk), and a fairly busy road runs past it, it is surprisingly loud. But, it’s still a great choice, we have stayed here many times when we couldn’t get in at Emerson Bay, or we decided to extend our stay and had to move out for the next people. Be warned, while the sites are nicely paved, they are NOT level. Get your leveling blocks ready and be prepared to find yourself tilted at a steep angle.
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Dog Friendly Bars, Breweries and Restaurants
West O Brewery – Makers of some delicious beers, especially the award-winning Coco Stout, allows dogs on the patio. They also sell dog treats made from spent grains, and they donate the proceeds to the local animal rescue. Win win!
Okoboji Brewing Co – Dog friendly indoors and on the patio. They even have a bucket of tennis balls and a several dog beds available for your furry friends.
The Barefoot Bar – This tiki bar is right on the water and very dog friendly. Get a bucket-o-booze, drink from funny cups, pose with the kitschy decorations and share the ice with the dogs, it gets hot!
Pirate Jacks – This bar has a great location on the end of a dock in Arnolds Park. They’ll let you bring dogs during the day, but ask you leave them at home when it’s packed full of loud people.
The Gardens – This restaurant has a great outdoor patio on the lake and they allow dogs on the patio. A great place for dinner, or a cocktail at sunset.
Maxwells Beach Cafe – Some of the best food you’ll find in ‘Boji, with lake views from the patio! They allow dogs, but it gets very busy here, so I would recommend going early in the day or early in the week if you’re bringing Fido.
Bobs On the Beach– A historical gem in Arnold’s park and a place you must visit for a hot dog! They have tables outside where you and your furry friends can enjoy a snack
Bracco – Fun and fancy restaurant with an amazing lake view, their patio is very dog friendly.
The Ritz – The inside of the restaurant is crowded, the ceilings are low, and it’s dark. Trust me, you want to be on the patio here, enjoying the lakeview, and your dogs are welcome. They have resident, feral cats who mostly don’t want anything to do with humans, just make sure to keep your dogs away from them. Kitties deserve safety and space too!
Woudes Bay – A kitschy little dive bar in the middle of an old resort, their patio has resident rescue cats who want your attention, so pay attention to your dogs. We’ve had many drinks here with our dogs over the years, but last year the bartender insisted Barley must be muzzled because German Shepherds are a dangerous breed. I think she was probably more scared than enforcing a rule, but as for me and my money, we won’t be back.
Dog Friendly Beaches
1.) The beach in front of Bobs on the Beach in Arnold’s Park – I take the dogs here so frequently, they both get outrageously excited as soon as they see the beach. Bonus, walk through the park, get a Nutty Bar or have a drink while they dry off.
Arnold’s Park Public Beach – This is a pretty popular spot, so my pro tip is to go to the other side on East Lake so you’re not getting in the way of kids and families playing in the water. It is a little weedier on this side, so just be aware of that. Bonus, it’s next to the Ritz, so get your dogs good and tired from a swim, and then have a cocktail on the patio while they dry off.
Okoboji Boat Works Beach – Get yourself a treat from the inconvenience store and take the dogs for a swim at this popular spot.
Lower Gar State Recreational Area – This is my secret spot, so don’t tell anyone. Near the boat launch at Lower Gar are a couple of smaller spots that some people use for fishing. I use them for dog swimming. It’s a short walk from our campsite, so once they’re done swimming, they get a walk home to dry off. It is subject to some chop from boat traffic, so be mindful of that.
Other Dog Friendly Fun
Still looking for more to do with your pups? Just walk through Arnold’s Park and let them sniff all the grass in the green space. Walk the sidewalk toward Picks Resort and look at all the million dollar homes.
Walk past the snow cone stand and hope for someone to come out and give the dogs treats.
Take a walk on the Great Lakes Trail, or explore the Nature Center and Sculpture walk.
Bring them along to an outdoor concert at Preservation Park (if they can handle crowds and loud noises, and know the concerts are followed with fireworks so hightail it home before the last song).
Or take them to the dog park and let them run free and make new friends!
Okoboji is a fun time for humans and dogs alike!
