discover

Explore new outdoor spaces this spring

The best thing about the great outdoors is that they are always open — no matter the season and its accompanying weather.

As the temperatures continues to warm people tend to want to throw open their doors and rush to enjoy the world outside. Below is a list of places to explore this spring.

Dickinson County Nature Center

2279 178th St., Okoboji

712-336-6352

www.dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com

Lots of fun programs and exhibits to checkout indoors.

Okoboji Gold Disc Golf Course

Kenue Park, Okoboji

712-336-6352

Check them out on Facebook.

An 18-hole, championship course with tees for Gold and White level players. In Kenue Park routed through a nicely maintained mature oak savanna over rolling terrain that is 60 percent wooded.

Stub Johnson Family Equestrian Area

360th St., Spencer IA

712-262-2187

www.mycountyparks.com

Rolling river bottom grassland area along the Little Sioux River that allows horseback riding and hiking.

Horseshoe Bend Park

1924 240th St. Milford, IA

712-338-4786

Horseshoe Bend feature a winter sports area with skiing and tubing facilities, lifts, lodge and modern restroom facilities. They also have mowed trails throughout area used for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Hawkeye Point

Sibley

Make sure you visit the highest point of elevation in all of Iowa at 1,670 feet.

Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery

122 252nd Ave., Spirit Lake

712-336-1840

Take a tour to see how the state of Iowa raises walleye for use throughout the state.

Lake Pahoja Recreation area

1832 Buchanan Ave., Larchwood

712-472-2217

A 2282-acre area that features a 72-acre lake, camping, playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts and a bike trail.

Willow Creek County Park

5945 Highway 9, Ocheyedan

712-758-3709

www.mycountypark.com

95 acres, 3.5 acre lake, Native and restored prairie. Recreational activities include fishing, hunting, hiking, birding, nature study, photography.

Oak Grove Big Sioux Park

4051 Cherry Ave., Hawarden

712-551-1047

www.mycountyparks.com

431-acre park is the headquarters of Sioux County Conservation.

Elinor Bedell State Park

1619 260th Ave., Spirit Lake

712-332-3211

Park offers a shelter, paved trails, camping sites and a large portion of land left in its natural state for flora and fauna observation.

Fort Defiance State Park

3661 174th St. Estherville

712-337-3211

Camping, trails, woodlands, shelters and a lodge constructed in the style of an old army outpost.