Claire Wilson State Recreation Area

Claire Wilson State Recreation Area is a state recreation area in northwest Iowa, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It sits about 0.2 miles from Crows Nest Resort, the nearest community. Typical averages from a weather station near Milford, about 3 miles away, show a strong seasonal swing. Summer is the warmest stretch, with July highs around 83°F and lows near 62°F. June and August run only slightly cooler, with highs near 79 and 80. May and September are milder, with highs in the low to mid 70s. May also brings the most wet days of the year, about 10. Shoulder seasons cool off quickly. April highs average about 57°F and October highs about 60, with nights in the upper 30s. Winter is cold. January averages a high of 24°F and a low of 8, and snow falls on a handful of days each month from December through February. For time on the water, West Okoboji Lake lies about 2 miles away, and Spirit Lake is roughly 7 miles off. Both are fishing destinations within a short drive of the recreation area.