Do you like a lake with lots of boats, jet skis and activity? Or are you more of a quiet-nature person who enjoys watching wildlife? Take your pick; with Twin Lakes, you get both!
Twin Lakes are natural “blue water” lakes, of which there are only a few in the world. They were formed naturally when the glacier came through, and consist of two lakes separated by a strip of land. It is said that once the two lakes are joined, and were part of a series of sloughs and marshy areas, which have since disappeared.
So, what’s your pleasure? Which lake would you like to know about first? Well, let’s start with the North Lake. North Twin is about three miles long, probably is about 12 feet deep at its deepest point. It is stocked with a variety of game fish; however, it doesn’t yield nearly what some of the lakes to our north in Minnesota do, so serious anglers may pass it by. Once ringed by modest cabins, some not even modern, North Twin Lake is now rimmed by many beautiful homes. Many residents are “summer people,” but about 300 residents have chosen to live at North Twin Lake year around. Average home prices now are $200,000 to $300,000, much higher than in the rest of the county. On a hot summer weekend, the lake is abuzz with all types of water craft, from jet skis to pontoons, motor boats and the occasional sailboat; and of course, swimmers, especially kids.
If you are a biker, runner or walker, you can make a tour of the lake on the bike trail, which encircles the entire lake with only a small area where you must use the road, but that will soon change as land was recently bought to complete the trail entirely around the lake. The trail is about 6 miles long and is enjoyed by lake residents and others. You may start your tour anywhere, but we’ll start at the Twin Lakes State Park located midway up the east side of the lake. The state park offers parking, a safe gradual swimming beach south of the point, (boats are not allowed to “beach” here,) picnicking areas, including a shelter house, a children’s play ground and modern rest rooms. Follow the trail north under shady trees through the park. At the north side of the park, you may need to be on the road for a bit; then catch the trail again and follow it to the north end of the lake. There you will find Treman Park, a county park which provides picnic tables, restrooms and a sandy gradual beach for swimming; boats are also allowed to come to the shore here, which may compromise the safety of swimmers.
Head on around the lake to another county park, Featherstone. It is right on the lake and has nice restroom and shower facilities, camper pads with water and electricity, an area for tent camping, and two small cabins for rent. There is play equipment, a boat ramp, and several docks for fishing and benches to just sit on and just watch the lake. Here the bike trail goes closest to the lake; then it turns and goes over a little covered bridge and through an area planted with native plants and flowers. Want to sit a minute? There is seating here by the lake and a bike rack. Continue on through the Twin Lakes Bible Camp. This camp is busy all four seasons of the year, with swimming and lake activities in the summer and a toboggan slide, sledding and snow activities in the winter.
At the south end of the lake is the Twin Lakes Marina, where boaters and others can gas up or get other items before heading out on the water. On around the south end of the lake, you will ride over an open wooden bridge. On the other side of the road here is the dam, where the “rough” fish (carp and buffalo fish) try to get into the lake when the water is high; very interesting to watch, and some people “spear” them. The nature preserve is next; it sits on land once owned by Helen Burns Patterson, a descendant of early Twin Lakes pioneers. Helen wrote a book about the lake, “Twin Lakes Story.” I am pleased to say that I knew Helen and have a copy of the book.
Are you hungry? You can detour across the road here and stop at the Twin Lakes Grocery. It has been at this location over 50 years through a variety of owners. It is open year round with extended hours in the summer. You can buy everything here from bait to grocery staples or enjoy inside or outside casual dining. Boaters may access the store from a dock on the lake, and gas up their boats from the dock. The food is good and the owners are friendly. Store décor features pictures of the lake and anglers over the years with their “catches,” some of which are pretty impressive! The menu features items named for various locations on the lake, such as “South Lake Special,” which is fun.
Want something more formal? Then continue just a little further, to “Twin Lakes Steaks,” a restaurant offering both formal dining in the smoke free area and informal dining in the bar and the patio room. The patio room also has a gas fireplace, which is nice in cooler weather. Don’t worry about dressing up; no one dresses up at the lake, so just go as you are. Twin Lakes Steaks is owned by a group of local people who are committed to offering a good dining experience. Prices are comparable to other nicer restaurants in the area.
One more business I didn’t mention is just down the road from Twin Lakes Steaks. It is an auto customizing place called Twin Lakes Rods and Rides. They have some awesome looking vehicles sitting outside, great for touring the lake!
How about some golfing? Continue past the Rods & Rides and turn off the paved road onto the road by the trees at the next corner. The Twin Lakes Golf Club is just down the road. It is right across from the south lake, offering a scenic site as well as 18 holes of great golfing.
Whew! Ready for something quieter? Then just keep going south around the lake. The south end is a wildlife preserve. Like the north lake, it is a natural lake, though more shallow. This lake is mostly undeveloped with few houses and a forested area on the north end. Wildlife abounds. In the spring and fall especially, you will see red winged and yellow headed blackbirds. During migrations, there are ducks, geese, lake gulls and pelicans as well. Golden and occasionally Bald Eagles make this their home or pass through. When the water in the lake is very low, you can see part of a rock trail that was built by Indians who once lived around the lake. You may also glimpse badger, mink, ground hog, raccoon or deer.
Did you enjoy our tour? Twin Lakes is a unique and special place, where there are activities going on year around. In the summer, besides the variety of lake activities, you can enjoy the great fireworks display over the lake in July, which is coordinated with music from the radio station named after the lake, “The Beach,” 105.9; there are also a couple of bike rides each year, an annual garage sale day. This year was the first ever Triathlon, sanctioned, with over 60 participants. In the winter, you can snow mobile, ice skate, ice boat, snow shoe, sled, ice fish and enjoy a number of other fun activities on the lake. In December, there is an annual Holiday Tour of Homes to benefit the bike trail. For more information about Twin Lakes, Iowa, write or call the Calhoun County Economic Development office, 910 Tonawanda St., Rockwell City, IA 50579; 712-297-5601.
