Located in northwestern Iowa, West Okoboji Lake has multiple access points for swimmers. The coldest part of the lake is adjacent to Terrace Park on the southeastern corner of the lake. This is the location for the natural spring that feeds the lake. Warmer beaches are available in the access points of Emerson Bay, Gull Point State Park, Pikes Point and Arnold's Amusement Park. The beaches around Okoboji Lake are sandy and have areas marked for swimming.
Big Spirit Lake is in the northwestern region of the state. The largest beach on this lake is Orleans Beach, which traces the lake's southern rim. This sandy beach offers visitors a clean swimming area, large sandy beach, playground and diving platform. Another large beach traces the lake's northern rim. Along Big Spirit Lake's western shores is Marble Beach, a part of Templar Park and the Gulf Point State Park. This beach has several swimming access points.
Pine Lake State Park is in central Iowa. Its 585 acres encompass two lakes: Upper Pine Lake, which covers 69 acres, and Lower Pine Lake, which covers 50 acres. The smaller lake has a beach for swimming. The park is perfect, for other outdoor recreation including hiking; the park includes more than 10 miles of developed trails that wind around the lake, some of which end at a beach that allows swimming.
Located in the southeastern corner of the state is the Lacey Keosauqua State Park. Set amidst a series of 19 Indian mounds overlooking the Des Moines River, the beach is on a 30-acre lake. The lake has a bathhouse restroom available for swimmers and has ropes to establish swimming areas; there are no lifeguards at this beach.
