Overview
by Amanda Norcross
Thinking about Lake Okoboji, Iowa, for your next family vacation? Treat the kids to a stay at Bridges Bay Resort, which offers an indoor water park (the only one in the area!), outdoor pool, and a zipline (another one-of-a-kind in the area)!
The waterfront hotel also has an arcade and five onsite dining options. And while Bridges Bay Resort doesn’t offer a beach, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the water, with hoists for boat owners and a private fishing pond onsite. Plus, the hotel is a short drive to the beaches of Lake Okoboji, as well as Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Nothing is too far in Lake Okoboji!
The hotel offers traditional guestrooms, condos and stand-alone cabins to suit every family’s needs and interests. The condos and cabins are especially ideal for families, with fully equipped kitchens.
Our Editor Loves
- Waterfront hotel
- Indoor water park
- Quiet location
Family Interests
- Theme Park
- Water Parks
- Water Sports
Family Amenities
- Connecting Rooms
- Cribs
- DVD
- Family Room 5+
- Free Wi-Fi
- Game Room
- Kitchenettes
- Onsite Dining
- Pool
- Refrigerator
Room Information
Find the Best Price for Your Stay
Waterfront Hotel Rooms
The Waterfront Hotel Rooms are equipped with two queen beds, sleeping up to four guests. They have mini-fridges, coffeemakers and shower-tub combinations in the bathrooms. Each unit also has a private balcony or patio. These rooms come with two passes to the water park.
Waterfront Condos
The Waterfront Condos are ideal for families and large groups, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom options. One-Bedroom Condos sleep four and come with two water park passes; Two-Bedroom Condos sleep eight and come with four water park passes; and
Three-Bedroom Condos sleep 12 and come with five water park passes.
All condos have fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms with shower-tub combinations, and private balconies or patios.
Waterfront Residential Condos
Bridges Bay Resort has a number of residential condos that are privately owned. These units have three or four bedrooms, with the largest units sleeping up to 12 guests. These accommodations come with six water park passes.
Vacation Cabin Rental
The resort also has a selection of free-standing cabins, each one with a spacious yard, private driveway and attached garage -- just like (or better than) home! Each cabin offers two, three, or four bedrooms, with the largest units sleeping 12 guests. Each unit also has two to three bathrooms. These accommodations come with six water park passes.
Note: Cribs and rollaway beds are available on a first come, first served basis. They are $10, plus tax, per night. Connecting rooms are also available with advance notice.
Reviews
by neko2012
Haven't been to the area since I was a kid so guessed where to stay. Good choice. We had 2 rooms - a suite with one king-sized bed & an adjoining standard room with 2 queen beds. The only down-side was it was hard to find because Arnolds Park doesn't use street signs.
by ChrisAmy
We had lunch here and the patio is great. Loved sitting outside and looking over the lake to eat. Beautiful setting and was very nice for adults as well as kids. Loved the beach setting below the deck also.
Family Activities
Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark
Boji Splash Indoor Waterpark is ideal for young kids, with a pirate ship with slide; an interactive spray ground with the always-necessary giant dump bucket; a tube slide; and a lazy river that weaves throughout the small water park.
Hours: The water park is open between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. in the summer. In the off-season, it is open on weekends only; hours are 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission: Guests receive a select number of complimentary water park passes depending on their accommodation type. See Rooms & Rates for details. Additional passes may be purchased at any time.
Pool
Outside, the hotel offers a large pool, adjacent to a pool bar. The pool is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Water park admission covers access to the pool.
SkyRider Zipline
This is the only zipline in the area! Designed for ages 4 and up, the Skyrider Zipline soars to 140 feet and offers awesome views of Okoboji! Height restrictions apply.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Admission: $8 per ride or $18 for unlimited rides per day
Arcade
The hotel offers an arcade with Skee ball, air hockey and more. It's open 24/7.
Fishing Pond
Bridges Bay has a fully stocked, private fishing pond for guests to enjoy. Fishing licenses are not required, but you'll need to BYO bait and tackle.
Boating
Have a boat? Reserve a hoist at the resort.
Family Dining
Waters Edge American Grille
Waters Edge American Grille specializes in steaks and seafood -- come hungry! It's also known for its delicious crepes. Lunch and dinner are served 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The bar remains open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bracco Waterfront Bar & Grill
Overlooking East Lake Okoboji, Bracco Waterfront Bar & Grill is a casual, family-friendly spot to enjoy just about anything you can imagine -- seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, pasta and more. The kids' menu (for ages 12 and up) offers burgers, chicken strips, mac and cheese and the like. Live music is offered most evenings. Bracco is open between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Blue Water Flatbread Pizza Company
Sometimes, only pizza will do! Stop by Blue Water Flatbread Pizza Company for an assortment of flatbreads. Open year-round, the restaurant's hours are: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Blue Water's flatbreads are also served at the Pickled Parrot.
Pickled Parrot Waterpark Cantina
The Picked Parrot Waterpark Cantina is the resort's pool bar. Head here for slushies (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), wine, beer, flatbreads, burgers, and most importantly -- ice cream. The pool bar is open when the water park is open.
The Beach Bar
There's nothing like digging your toes in the sand, on a lake, surrounded by tiki torches... at a bar! Relax with beer, wine, and cocktails at The Beach Bar. Casual bar food is also served, and the atmosphere is totally family-friendly. The Beach Bar opens at 4 p.m. daily. Live music is part of the fun on Fridays and Saturdays.
Planning & Tips
All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is complimentary.
Water Park Passes
Guests will receive a select number of complimentary water park passes depending on their accommodation level; numbers are as follows: Double-Queen Guestroom (two passes); One-Bedroom Condo Suite (two passes); Two-Bedroom Condo Suite (four passes); Three-Bedroom Condo Suite (five passes); Waterfront Residential Condos (six passes); Vacation Cabin Rentals (six passes). Additional passes can be purchased for $6, and day passes for non-guests are also available.
Getting There
The closest major airports are Des Moines International Airport (three hours and 30 minutes away) or Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (just over three hours). Break up the drive with a stop or two at Iowa's famous roadside attractions. If coming from Des Moines, we recommend the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone or the World's Largest Gnome at Reiman Gardens in Ames.
Getting Around
You'll want a rental car to get around the area.
Parking
Parking is complimentary.