Elinor Bedell State Park Campground

Elinor Bedell State Park is one of Iowa's newest state parks. It is one of several state areas that make up the Iowa Great Lakes Region. It is located on the shore of East Lake Okoboji and represents one of the last surviving open spaces in a region that is among Iowa's most popular tourist destinations, The Iowa Great Lakes.

The 80 acre park was a generous gift of Berkley and Elinor Bedell. A lifelong resident of the Great Lakes area, Berkley represented northwest Iowa for twelve years in the United States Congress. Berkley and Elinor's dream of permanently protecting this beautiful piece of open space for future generations led to their donation of the land to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Elinor Bedell State Park promotes special appreciation and enjoyment of prairies, wetlands and oak savanna landscapes once commonly found along the shores of Iowa's Great Lakes. An extensive trail system within the park links these restored landscapes providing the public with interpretation, education and recreational opportunities.