Discover Emmetsburg: Lake, Water and History

Emmetsburg combines a distinctive lake with water activities, trails, sports and special places of remembrance. Five Island Lake is a five-mile-long and half-mile-wide glacial lake; its southern 90 acres lie within the city limits of Emmetsburg. This gives the city a clear scenic focal point for a trip where nature, activity and local history come together.

Five Island Lake, Trails and Active Days

In summer, Five Island Lake offers opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing and wildlife viewing. Those who prefer to explore on land can use the Five Island Trail. It is suitable for walkers, joggers, runners and cyclists and ends on the east side of Rockport, a development in Emmetsburg. This allows you to vary your daily plans between activities on the water and exercise on the trail.

The Des Moines River is also part of Emmetsburg’s recreational area. It runs along the outer edge of the city, about one mile west of Emmetsburg on Highway 18. Near Emmetsburg, the river is used for fishing, kayaking, tubing and canoeing. In summer, swimming is possible at a sandy beach in Soper Park, while ice skating is offered there in winter.

For additional recreational opportunities, visit Kearney State Park on the west shore of Five Island Lake. It has 16 campsites with electric hookups and 10 tent sites without electricity. The park also includes a public boat launch, playground equipment, a bathhouse, a fish-cleaning station and public access to Five Island Lake for fishing. Families traveling with children can plan to include the playground equipment as an additional activity alongside the lake. A public 9-hole golf course, Five Island Golf Course, is located on the northern edge of Emmetsburg.

Historical and Cultural Discoveries

Emmetsburg also offers unusual historical connections. The Blarney Stone was a gift from the residents of Dublin, Ireland, to the citizens of Emmetsburg and can be viewed publicly around the clock. A statue of Robert Emmet also stands on the Palo Alto County Courthouse Square.

The Jackman Cabin was built by Patrick Jackman in 1867 and restored by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1921. It is accessible only by prior appointment as part of guided tours. Another stop is the Vandervelde Primitive Cultures Collection, a permanent exhibition in the Smith Wellness Center. The center has an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, rooms for aerobics, cardio and strength training, a racquetball court and changing rooms.

A seasonal event is the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Emmetsburg holds it every year on the March weekend closest to March 17. If you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, this recurring event is one of the city’s special cultural points of interest.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home in Emmetsburg, you can first determine the focus of your trip. If the lake, river and outdoor activities are the priority, Five Island Lake, the Des Moines River, Five Island Trail and the parks are important reference points. For a stay with a stronger cultural focus, historical and public attractions such as the Blarney Stone, Jackman Cabin, Robert Emmet statue and the Vandervelde Primitive Cultures Collection can serve as selection criteria for planning your days. Those who want to combine different interests can switch between water, sports, history and seasonal offerings without losing sight of the city’s character.

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Emmetsburg, you can also look at Booth and Ayrshire.

For the overarching travel overview: Palo Alto County.