Activities

 
Boating Boating at Smith Lake Park
Boating is allowed at Smith Lake, but only electric motors are permitted.
Camping Camping at Smith Lake Park
Smith Lake has 49 campsites on the south side of the park. These sites include water hookups, 50/30/20 amp electric service, fire rings, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and a gravel pad to park your camper.  On the north side of the park there are 16 full hookup sites that are available for nightly, monthly, and seasonal rates.  A tent camping area is also available. Modern restrooms with shower facilities are also available in the campgrounds. A dump station is located near the entrance to the park coming from Highway 169.
Camping Camping at Water's Edge Nature Center

Kossuth County has 3 campgrounds which are open during the warm weather months.  Click here for more information.

Click here for a printable brochure.
Camping Camping at Burt Lake
Camping is available at Burt Lake Park. The sites are first come, first served. A 50/30/20 amp electrical pedestal, a nearby water hydrant, a picnic table, and fire ring are included.
Camping Camping at Siems Park
A nice, quiet, small, family campground.  A great place to relax, fish, picnic, camp, and just enjoy the great outdoors with your family.  
 
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Burt Lake
Burt Lake is a smaller glacially formed lake that is very conducive for canoeing and kayaking.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Siems Park
Siems Park is built around a series of old gravel pits. This pits are great for canoeing and kayaking. They are relatively protected from wind, so you can paddle here when it it too windy to go a lot of other places.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Smith Lake Park
Kayaking and canoeing are very popular at Smith Lake. Most people bring their own, but kayaks can be rented at the Water's Edge Nature Center.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Water's Edge Nature Center
KCCB has two kayaks for rent from the Water's Edge Nature Center.  Call (515)295-2138 for details, or click here
Disc Golf Disc Golf at Siems Park
Siems Park has a 9 hole disc golf course that winds throughout the park. Click here for more detailed information.
Education Education at Water's Edge Nature Center

Our staff provides many educational opportunities for the public and school groups.

Click here for more information.
Education Education at Smith Lake Park
The Water's Edge Nature Center is located on the west shore of Smith Lake. Many educational displays and information can be found there. Our naturalist staff also provide many educational programs during the year.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Smith Lake Park
Smith Lake Park offers an enclosed shelter in the south campground area that can be rented for any number of occasions. There is also an open shelter in the north campground area that can also be rented. Both shelters have an attached modern bathroom facility complete with showers. Both shelters are available for walk-in activities on a first come first served basis as long as there are no rentals scheduled. The Water's Edge Nature Center has a meeting room that is also available to rent.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Water's Edge Nature Center

The Water's Edge Nature Center has meeting room that may be rented.  See Meeting Room Brochure pdf for more information.

There is also an enclosed shelter on the south side of Smith Lake that is available for rent.  Call (515)295-2138 for details.

Two kayaks along with life jackets and paddles are also available for rent.  Call ( 515)295-2138 for details.

For more rental information click here.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Siems Park
Siems Park has two shelters that are available for rent. The enclosed shelter is located near the park entrance at the south end of the park. It has picnic tables, a serving area, and electricity. The open shelter is located in the campground at the north end of the park. It offers picnic tables, garbage cans, and electricity. These shelters are available for rent by calling the Water's Edge Nature Center at (515) 295-2138. They are also available on a first come, first served basis at no cost if no rentals are on the books for that date. These facilities are for day use only, and all belongings must be removed when your activity is finished for the day.
Fishing Fishing at Smith Lake Park

Kossuth County has many opportunities for good fishing.  Smith Lake has been producing big healthy large mouth bass for the last couple of years, as well as excellent catfishing.  It also has a good year class of crappies right now.

Click here for fishing info, including fish structure gps coordinates.

For more fishing information at Smith Lake, including a topo map, click this link.

All bass under 18 inches must be immediately returned to the water.
Fishing Fishing at Siems Park
Siems park is a series of  old gravel pits that have been stocked with bass, bluegill, crappies, and catfish.  There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass caught at Siems Park. 
Fishing Fishing at Burt Lake
Burt Lake is a shallow glacially formed lake. It can be good for catching bullheads, crappies, and northerns in the spring.
Fishing Fishing at Water's Edge Nature Center
Kossuth County has many opportunities for good fishing.  Smith Lake has been producing big healthy large mouth bass for the last couple of years, as well as excellent catfishing.  It also has a good year class of crappies right now.

For more Smith Lake fishing information click here.

All bass under 18 inches must be immediately returned to the water.
Hunting Hunting at Smith Wildlife Area
This area is about 145 acres of mostly hardwood timber with a little upland cover around the edges.  Deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, and pheasants can be found here.
Hunting Hunting at Burt Lake
Burt Lake is a public hunting area comprised of timber, wetland, and upland habiiat. Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl, and other small game can be found here.
Other Activities Other Activities at Siems Park
Siems Park offers two playground areas for kids featuring some traditional playground equipment. One area is centrally located near the enclosed shelter. The second area is in the campground at the north end of the park. Horseshoe pits are also available near the campground playground.
Other Activities Other Activities at Smith Wildlife Area
In the spring, KCCB conducts its Maple Syrup Making Program.  School groups and the general public come in large numbers to see how maple syrup is made.  Most people do not leave without sampling a bit of the finished product.  See the Sugar Shack Brochure for more information.
Other Activities Other Activities at Smith Lake Park
Smith Lake Park offers playground areas for children and adults complete with swings, slides, a modern playground setup, horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, and a small basketball court. There is also an outdoor learning area near the nature center where kids can enjoy playing in area constructed with more natural materials. 
Picnicking Picnicking at Smith Lake Park
Smith Lake Park has several areas for picnicking throughout the park complete with picnic tables, and charcoal grills.
Picnicking Picnicking at Water's Edge Nature Center
Smith Lake offers a nice place for picnicking.  We have an enclosed shelter, an open shelter, several pedestal charcoal grills, and picnic tables.
Picnicking Picnicking at Siems Park
Siems park offers shelters, fire pits and more for a picnic
Swimming Swimming at Siems Park
Siems Park has a swimming area near the boat ramp at the south end of the park. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Swimming Swimming at Smith Lake Park
Smith Lake has 2 sandy beach swimming areas.
Swimming Swimming at Water's Edge Nature Center
Smith Lake offers two public swimming beaches.  There are no lifeguards.  It is swim at your own risk.
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Water's Edge Nature Center
Smith Lake offers a trail that circles the entire lake.  It takes you through our tree garden, past several nice fishing areas, and through the pine/cedar grove to the west of the Nature Center.
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Smith Lake Park
Smith Lake has a hiking trail that encompasses the lake. It wanders through a stand of pine trees, native prairie areas, a tree garden, and along the lake shore. the full loop is 1.5 miles long.
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Burt Lake
Burt Lake has a mowed hiking trail that meanders around the southwest section of the property through the timber and along the lake. If you take the long route, the trail will be about 1 1/2 miles long.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Smith Lake Park
When there is enough snow, the hiking trail around the lake is groomed for cross country skiing.

This trail is also great for snow shoeing.  Snow shoes are available for rent at the nature center.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Water's Edge Nature Center
At Water's Edge Nature Center, we offer snow shoe rental.  We have a nice trail around the lake and through the pine trees to the West of the Nature Center that provides a great place to snow shoe.

We also groom a trail around the lake for cross country skiing.