Natural swimming hole
Clear Lake State Park beach
Lake · Iowa
About this swimming hole
Clear Lake State Park, on the southeast shore of the 3,600-acre natural lake, has a 900-foot sandy beach - a separate swim area from both the downtown Clear Lake City Beach and the McIntosh Woods beach already listed. The beach offers unsupervised swimming, with a concrete path running its length that is accessible for the mobility impaired. A historic lodge near the beach and the park campground sit under mature oaks just behind the sand.
Good to know
| Water type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Best season | June-August |
| Fees | Free |
| Reservations required | No |
| Parking | state park lots at 6490 S Shore Dr |
| Amenities | swimming beach, campground, historic lodge, picnic area, accessible beach path |
| County | Cerro Gordo County |
| Nearest town | Clear Lake |
| Safety notes | unsupervised beach; no lifeguard; classified vulnerable in DNR beach monitoring and listed as swimming not recommended at the end of the 2026 season for E. coli - check current DNR monitoring before swimming |
Map
Official information
Official park / agency page ↗ — check current conditions, fees, and reservations here before you go.
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Clear Lake State Park beach?
Yes — Clear Lake State Park beach is listed as a natural swimming spot in Iowa. Heads-up: unsupervised beach; no lifeguard; classified vulnerable in DNR beach monitoring and listed as swimming not recommended at the end of the 2026 season for E. coli - check current DNR monitoring before swimming. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Clear Lake State Park beach require reservations?
No reservations are required at Clear Lake State Park beach based on current information — but verify before you go.
Is there a fee to visit Clear Lake State Park beach?
Reported fee info: Free. Fees can change — confirm with the official link.
When is the best time to visit Clear Lake State Park beach?
The best season is typically June-August.