Center Lake Real EstateLocated between West and East Lake Okoboji, Center Lake is one of the chain of natural lakes that make up the Iowa Great Lakes. When the glaciers receded 14,000 years ago, they scooped out shallow bowls in the earth which filled with water as the glaciers melted. Those lakes include West Lake Okoboji, East Lake Okoboji, Center Lake, Upper Gar Lake, Lower Gar Lake and Big Spirit Lake. The area around these lakes has long been a popular Iowa holiday and vacation destination, offering spectacular scenery and a wide range of outdoor activities year round.Center Lake covers about 263 acres of surface, with a shoreline of about 4.7 miles. Its average depth is just under 12 feet, and its maximum depth is 17 feet. It is the smallest of the Great Lakes, but its location and shape make it popular for swimming and boating. Much of the land surrounding it is privately owned and developed, but the northern shoreline is public land preserved as wetlands and timber. The Center Lake Wildlife Management Area and Kenue Park offer hiking trails and stunning vistas. Kenue Park is a unique nature park, with well-marked hiking trails and a physical fitness course that meander through oak savannah and meadows. It features a glacial kame, a large bluff overlooking the surroundings that offers a spectacular view of the lakes and meadows. It also is home to the Sesquicentennial Schoolhouse, a unique museum that is a preserved one-room schoolhouse and a popular destination for school trips and family visits. What can you do in and around Center Lake? There?s a wealth of outdoor activities both on and off water. From golfing to jet-skiing, you?ll find just about any sort of recreation you enjoy. The extensive natural trail system starts with the Spine Trail, a hard-topped hiking trail that follows the lakes and reaches nearly every one of the many natural preservation areas. For those who want a little more challenge, there are many side-trails off the Spine Trail that venture into meadows and forests, and offer excellent opportunities for bird-watching, wildflower hunting and energetic hikes. You?ll see a wide variety of formations, including kettle holes, gorges and kames, all formed by the receding glaciers. Bikers can enjoy the sixty miles of biking trails that loop in and out of the Spine Trail, and join the four communities in and around Center Lake and the Great Lakes region. For four seasons outdoors enthusiasts, there are marked cross country skiing trails through the wetlands and over the lakes, as well as skimobile trails and hiking trails. Miles of marked Wildlife Management Areas provide public access to hunting and fishing areas in season. Fishing is especially popular, and the local lakes boast over 45 species of fish, including 11 recognized sporting fishes. Hunting is another popular pastime, with acres of public meadows and forest along the lakeshores and the surrounding area. If you?re considering relocating to the Center Lake area, you?ll find housing in just about every price range and type from luxury resort-style condos to cozy fixer-uppers on the lakefront. Beautiful scenery, cozy country living and the bustle of a busy resort in season ? Center Lake can?t be beat as a great place to visit ? and a great place to live. |
Contact Okoboji Real Estate for questions on residential real estate, community info, or any other questions. We offer real estate info in and around the Okoboji, Spirit Lake, and Iowa Great Lakes.
3plains LLC & Re/Max Results 2100 Ford Parkway #201 St. Paul, MN 55116 c/o Matt Barker A licensed real estate agent in MN. (612) 366-1527
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