Elinor Bedell State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Elinor Bedell State Park
native_name =
other_name =
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category_local = Iowa State Park
category_iucn =


image_caption =
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Elinor Bedell
country = United States
state = Iowa
region_type = County
region = Dickinson
district_type =
district =
city =
location =
lat_d = 43
lat_m = 24
lat_s = 44
lat_NS = N
long_d = 95
long_m = 04
long_s = 14
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 1408
elevation_round = 1
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 80
area_round = 1
area1_imperial =
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biome =
biome_share =
biome1 =
biome1_share =
geology =
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plant =
plant1 =
animal =
animal1 =
established_type =
established =
management_body = Iowa Department of Natural Resources
management_location =
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management_long_d =
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visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free = Spirit Lake, IA
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Elinor Bedell State Park
map_locator = Iowa
map_first =
website = [http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/elinor_bedell.html Elinor Bedell State Park]

The Elinor Bedell State Park is an convert|80|acre|m2|sing=on state park in Dickinson County, Iowa in the United States.

Elinor Bedell State Park is Iowa's newest (1998) state park. 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 eighty acre park was a gift of Berkley and Elinor Bedell. A life long resident of the Great Lakes area, Berkley Bedell represented Northwest Iowa for 12 years in the United States Congress.

Nearby Towns

Spirit Lake is about convert|2|mi|km northwest of the park. Okoboji and Arnolds Park are about convert|5|mi|km around the lake to the southwest.

Picnicking/Shelters

A shelter with kitchenette, bathrooms and a fireplace overlooks East Okoboji Lake is available for rent. The shelter can be reserved online through the park reservation system.

Camping

The campground consists of 8 site RV campsites with full hookups, modern rest room and a trailer dump station. Each campsite has a picnic table and fireplace. There is also a designated area for youth groups to tent camp. A playground is located near the campground. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Trails

Several miles of trail wind through wetlands, woodlands and along the lakeshore. A wildlife viewing blind is situated just off the trail for use by bird and wildlife watchers.

Lake Activities (swimming, boating, fishing)

East Okoboji and the many other lakes are some of the prime fishing spots in Iowa. Anglers will find a variety of game fish, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish and bullheads.

External links

* [http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/elinor_bedell.html Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Elinor Bedell State Park]