Storm Lake
Around Storm Lake
Photo: Scott A. Miller · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Iowa · 20k people
Storm Lake
A lake town with a warm heart and a world of flavors.
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Welcome to Storm Lake, where the lake is the heart of the community. Whether you're here for the fishing, the fairs, or just the friendly small-town vibe, you'll find plenty to do. We're glad you're here!
Clubs for Storm Lake
No clubs for Storm Lake yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Storm Lake. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Storm Lake. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Storm Lake The lake itself, center of recreation and community.
- Buena Vista University Campus Private university with a scenic lakeside setting.
- King's Pointe Resort Lakeside resort and conference center with a waterpark.
- Sunset Park City park on the lake with a beach and picnic areas.
- Cherokee County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Cherokee, a local landmark.
- Outdoors Fishing on Storm Lake
- Outdoors Walking the lakefront trail
- With kids Visiting the county fair
- With kids Spending a day at the lake beach
- Evenings College bars near BVU
- Evenings Local pubs with live music
- Locals love Lakefront parks
- Locals love County fairgrounds
Through the year
- Buena Vista County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Cherokee County Fair July Annual fair featuring 4-H shows and carnival.
- Sac County Fair July Small-town fair with tractor pulls and exhibits.
- Pocahontas County Fair July Community fair with livestock auctions and live music.
- Storm Lake Independence Day Celebration July Fireworks over the lake and family activities.
Humid continental climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The lake moderates temperatures slightly. Best: Late spring and early fall are ideal for being outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “The lake”
- Storm Lake (the lake itself).
- “Tenderloin”
- Pork tenderloin sandwich, a local staple.
- “Loose meat”
- Loose meat sandwich, another Iowa favorite.
- “Corn belt”
- The agricultural heartland region.
Getaways
- Spencer Larger town with shopping and dining options.
- Carroll Historic downtown and the Carroll County Speedway.
- Le Mars Ice cream capital of the world, home of Wells Blue Bunny.
- Fort Dodge Regional hub with a zoo and the Fort Museum.
Local flavour
Rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones
Eat and drink
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A classic Iowa staple, often served with pickles and onion on a bun.
- Loose meat sandwich Maid-Rite style seasoned ground beef on a bun, a regional favorite.
- Iowa sweet corn Fresh, buttery corn from local fields in late summer.
Where people go
- Storm Lake The natural lake itself, a hub for fishing, boating, and sunsets.
- Buena Vista University campus A green, walkable campus that anchors the town.
- King's Pointe Resort A lakeside resort with a waterpark, popular with families.
- Farmland and prairie Endless fields of corn and soybeans, dotted with old grain elevators.
Heritage and traditions
Storm Lake is proud of its small-town Iowa heart with a big-city mix—a lake that anchors outdoor life, a meatpacking town that drew families from Mexico, Laos and Vietnam, and a Pulitzer-winning newspaper that tells the story.
This time of year in Storm Lake
- Harvest festivals September-October Fall community gatherings with food and music
Say it like a local: “you bet” — Yes, absolutely
Festivals
- Hmong New Year November Celebration with traditional food, music, and dance in November.
- Cinco de Mayo May Community celebration with Mexican food, music, and family activities in May.
- Cherokee Championship Rodeo Summer PRCA-sanctioned rodeo held in the summer.
- Storm Lake Winterfest January Ice fishing, games, and community gathering in January.
- Sac City Sweet Corn Days August Celebrates local sweet corn with food stands and a parade in August.
- Latino Heritage Festival September Held in September to honor Hispanic heritage with music and food.
Landmarks with a story
- Sanford Museum Natural history and local history museum in Cherokee.
- Buena Vista County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Storm Lake, built in the early 20th century.
- Sac County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Sac City, a centerpiece of the town square.
- Pocahontas County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Pocahontas, reflecting early 1900s architecture.
- Historic Downtown Cherokee Well-preserved commercial district with brick storefronts.
- Alta Historical Society Museum Local artifacts and pioneer history in Alta.
Food traditions
- Hmong sausage and sticky rice Brought by Southeast Asian immigrants, served at community gatherings and the Hmong New Year.
- Mexican tacos and tamales From the Latino community, popular at Cinco de Mayo and local taquerias.
- Scandinavian lutefisk and lefse A nod to Nordic settlers, served at church suppers in winter.
- Iowa beef steaks Local steakhouses serve beef from surrounding farms, a staple for celebrations.
- Sweet corn at summer picnics Fresh Iowa corn is a must at family gatherings and festivals.
Music and arts
- Cherokee Symphony Orchestra Community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Storm Lake Community Theatre Local productions of plays and musicals.
- Buena Vista University arts programs Music, theater, and visual arts events open to the public.
- Hmong traditional music and dance Performed at New Year celebrations, preserving heritage.
A little history
- 10,000 years ago Glacial activity formed Storm Lake, one of Iowa's largest natural lakes.
- 1850s European settlers arrived and founded towns like Cherokee and Sac City.
- 1880s Railroads connected the region, boosting agriculture and trade.
- 1960s Meatpacking plant opened in Storm Lake, attracting immigrant workers.
- 1980s Southeast Asian refugees settled in Storm Lake, adding to diversity.
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones The big in-state college football rivalry.
- Storm Lake High School vs Cherokee High School Friday night football bragging rights.
- Buena Vista University vs other Iowa conference schools Basketball and football matchups.
- Game day Friday night football
- Game day Cherokee Rodeo
- Outdoors Ice fishing on Storm Lake
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing on lakefront trails
- With kids Attending the Hmong New Year celebration
- With kids Going to the Cherokee Rodeo
People speak with a standard Midwestern accent, but you'll hear Spanish and Hmong in shops and streets, reflecting the town's diversity. Common phrases include 'pop' for soda and 'you bet' for yes.
Only here
- Storm Lake is one of Iowa's largest natural lakes.
- The town has a high percentage of foreign-born residents for a small Iowa town.
- The Storm Lake Times is a small-town paper that won a Pulitzer Prize.
- The lake offers a unique 'sunset' view that locals brag about.
New here? A few tips
- Winters are cold and snowy; invest in a good coat and boots.
- The lake is the heart of the town—walk the trail and enjoy the sunsets.
- Try the diverse food scene, from Hmong sausage to Mexican tacos.
- Get involved in community events like the rodeo or Hmong New Year.
- Learn about the immigrant history at the local museums.
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Nearby
Every areaCherokeeIowaWhere the prairie meets the riverSpencerIowaWhere the lakes meet the prairie.CarrollIowaWhere the cornfields meet the sky.DenisonIowaSmall towns, wide skiesLe MarsIowaWhere the cornfields meet the creameryFort DodgeIowaWhere the prairie meets the riverSpirit LakeIowaClear water, bright skies, and a summer that never ends.Sioux CityIowaWhere the rivers meet the hills
Storm Lake, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.