Clear Lake is in Cerro Gordo County located in North Central Iowa. Clear Lake sits right on Interstate 35 and is just a couple of miles North of the Avenue of the Saints. Its location makes Clear Lake a major stop on Interstate 35 with many restaurants, hotels, and travel centers. 

Clear Lake gets its name from the 3,600 acre lake the city sits on. The Clear Lake area has a number of marinas, state parks, campgrounds, and tourism-related businesses. 

Clear Lake has 7,597 residents according to the 2019 Census. Clear Lake is a yearly vacation destination for tens of thousands of people from all over the world, and the population doubles and may even triple during the Summer months.

Clear Lake is perhaps best known for “The Day the Music Died.” On February 3, 1959, a small aircraft carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper, who performed at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake the night before, crashed shortly after takeoff from the Mason City Municipal Airport killing all on board.

Popular Attractions

Central Gardens of North Iowa – a public garden and green space located near downtown on 2.5 acres at the site of the old Central School building.
 

Clear Lake Arts Center – a non-profit organization displaying local and regional artists’ work; art classes and sales gallery also available.
 

Iowa Trolley Park Railroad Museum – educational, interpretive, and interactive railroad museum.

Lady of the Lake – sternwheeler ferry boat taking passengers on a scenic cruise around the lake.

PM Park - site of the original Patriarch Militants camp established in 1914. Today it is an eating and lodging venue.

Surf Ballroom - the site of the last concerts of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. The Surf Ballroom remains a prominent music and performance venue featuring frequent concerts and events by performers with national and international name recognition.