Quality of Life Abounds in Palo Alto County
Whether you're an outdoorsman, fitness enthusiast or quiet observer, Palo Alto County offers a variety of recreation opportunities.
Five Island Golf - Emmetsburg
14 North Lawler
712-852-3422
www.theshoreat5island.com
- 9-hole golf course along the shore of Five Island Lake
- Open to the public
- Course open 7 a.m. to sundown; tee times accepted
- Member of Iowa Golf Association and USGA
- Golf car rental available
- Lounge and sandwiches
Hillcrest Country Club - Graettinger
601 S Cedar Ave
712-859-3766
- 9-hole golf course, long, tree-lined fairways
- Open to the public
- Course open 7 a.m. to sundown
- Golf Car Rental Available
- Lounge, full menu dining, banquet, event facilities
Spring Hills Country Club - Mallard
4614 490th St
712-425-3582
- 9-hole golf course, gentle, rolling terrain
- Open to the public
- Course open 7 a.m. to sundown
- Lounge, sandwiches, banquet room rental
West Bend Golf Course - West Bend
Hwy 15 South
515-887-6217
- 9-hole golf course, gentle rolling terrain course
- Open to the public
- Course open 7 a.m. to sundown
- The Clubhouse: Lounge, full menu dining, banquet room
Emmetsburg City Parks
For additional information and to reserve, contact Emmetsburg City Hall 712-852-4030
Soper Park
North Broadway along South shore of Five Island Lake
Modern playground equipment; picnic shelter; beach house with restrooms. Lifeguards on designated area of south beach
The Shelter and/or Beach House at Soper Park can be reserved by calling City Hall at 712-852-4030. The shelter reservation fee is $25 per day, including deposit. The Beach House reservation fee is $50 per day, including deposit.
Harrison Park
Main Street, between Call and State Streets
Modern playground equipment; picnic shelter and gazebo; restrooms
Brown Robbins Park
South Broadway/Hwy. 4, between 19th and 20th Streets
Playground equipment; picnic shelter; restrooms
Harlan Park
5th and Des Moines Streets, Playground equipment; picnic shelter
Sewell Park
Lakeshore Drive and North Huron, Picnic area along shore of Five Island Lake
Outdoor Shelters at Soper Park, Harrison Park and Brown Robbins Park
- Reservation fees: $25 per day (includes $10 deposit) Beach House at Soper Park. Reserve by calling Emmetsburg City Hall 712-852-4030
- Reservation fee: $50 (includes $15 deposit)
Kearney State Park
adjacent to Five Island Golf Club
RV camp site; boat ramp; fish cleaning station; shelter for campers
- Camping Fees: $15 for campers with electricity; $10 for tents (non-electric), payable at drop box
Basswood Recreation Area
Hwy. 4/18 West
Boat ramp on West Fork of Des Moines River Picnic area; hiking trails
Five Island Campground
21 campsites, $25/night
Emmetsburg
- Kearney State Park
- Five Island Campground
- Five Island Campground - Cabins
- Wild Rose Resort & Casino Campground
For information on Emmetsburg's campgrounds, visit: http://emmetsburg.com/campgrounds/
Mallard
- Mallard City Park - https://www.mallardiowa.com/community/#city-park
- Small Town Campground - https://www.mallardiowa.com/community/#campground
Ruthven
- Lost Island - Houston Park - https://paloaltoccb.org/campground-2/
- Redwood Campground - http://www.redwoodcampground.com/
- Grand View Resort -located on the Clay County side of Lost Island. Call 712-837-5548 for reservations.
West Bend
- Grotto of the Redemption Campgrounds - http://www.westbendgrotto.com/lodging-and-tours/
America's Best Value Suburban Motel
West Hwy 18, Emmetsburg
712-852-2626
- 41 smoking and non-smoking rooms
- wheelchair accessible
- outdoor swimming pool
- free continental breakfast
- no pets allowed
Nelson's CabInn
3425 460th Ave, Emmetsburg
712-852-4383
- rustic lakeside cabin with hot tub
- fireplace
- satellite TV
- AC
- full kitchen
- gas grill
- laundry facilities
- private deck
- fishing/hunting privileges
Super 8
3501 Main St, Emmetsburg
712-852-2667
www.super8.com
- 34 non-smoking and smoking rooms
- handicap facilities/wheelchair access
- pets allowed in some rooms
- business room in lobby, complimentary
- continental breakfast; pets allowed
Wild Rose Casino & Resort
East Hwy 18, Emmetsburg
712-852-3400
www.wildroseresorts.com
- 65 standard smoking and non-smoking
- rooms and six suites
- ballroom can accommodate 300 guests
- indoor swimming pool
- health club
- Irish pub
- lobby coffee shop
- no pets allowed
Park View Inn & Suites and Conference Center
13 4th St NE, West Bend
515-887-3611 or toll free 877-612-5366
www.westbendmotel.com
- 30 standard non-smoking and smoking rooms
- 6 theme suites
- handicap facilities/wheelchair
- accessible
- pets allowed
- complimentary continental breakfast
- fitness center
- whirlpool, sauna and indoor pool
- conference facilities
- party room
Robert Emmet Statue
One of just four in the world, namesake of the community, located in the Palo Alto County Courthouse Square. Contact the St. Patrick's Association, Emmetsburg.
712-852-4326
Blarney Stone
A gift to the citizens of Emmetsburg from residents of our sister city, Dublin, Ireland, located in the Palo Alto County Courthouse Square. Contact the St. Patrick's Association, Emmetsburg.
712-852-4326
Palo Alto Heritage Center
Located in the Carnegie Library building, 2008 10th Street. Contact Palo Alto County Extension.
712-852-2865
Victorian On Main Museum
1705 Main St, Emmetsburg. A restored Victorian era home complete with furnishings and other period memorabilia. Open Sundays, 1-4 p.m. and by appointment.
712-852-2796
Palo Alto County Historical Museum
708 Monroe St, open Sundays 1-4 p.m. and by appointment.
712-852-2796
Original Old Town Emmetsburg Site
Located at Riverdale Ranch,
3621 450th Ave, Emmetsburg
Hobson Rock Collection
On permanent display at the Smith Wellness Center, Iowa Lakes Community College
Vandervelde Primitive Cultures Collection
On permanent display at the Smith Wellness Center, Iowa Lakes Community College and Emmetsburg Public Library
Grotto of the Redemption
West Bend
The Life of Christ in stone. Guided tours May to mid-October. 300 North Broadway 515-515-887-2371
Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center, Lost Island Huston Park
Ruthven
Educational opportunity to examine nature in the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region, 3259 355th Ave, Ruthven.
712-837-4866
Additional Emmetsburg Attractions:
- Dragoon Monument
- John B. Kelly Annex
- Five Island Lake
- Kearney State Park
- Footbridge to First Island
- Des Moines River
- 9 City Parks
- Jackman Cabin
- Little House on the Prairie replica
- 8-sided Livestock Pavilion
- One-Room School House
- Emmetsburg Veteran Memorial
- Five Island Golf Club
- Smith Wellness Center
- Historical Downtown Buildings
We are fortunate to host 1 of the 20 official Iowa Welcome Centers here in our region.
Iowa Welcome Center Located at 1121 Broadway (Highway 4) in Emmetsburg.
712-852-2283
eburgwelcome@kemb.org
Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM