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Recreation

Warm weather or cold, indoors or out, fun activities abound in North Iowa.

An extensive recreational trail system in the county provides a safe place for hiking, running, biking and cross-country skiing.

Other activities to be enjoyed year-round include paintball at the Armageddon Paintball Park in Ventura, trap shooting at the Ventura Gun Club, and hunting throughout the county.

Spring-Summer-Fall Choices

Whether it’s an organized sporting event or another outdoor activity, every season has exciting offerings: baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, golf or taking a dip in the local swimming hole.

New aquatic centers in Mason City and Clear Lake boast water slides and other fun features. Many areas in the county offer fishing, boating, in-season mushroom hunting, picnicking, bicycling and horseback riding.

In 2009, Mason City’s East Park will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with special celebrations. North Iowa’s public parks are a source of beauty, pride and recreation throughout the area and feature miles of trails.

Fore! Golf is a popular sport in North Iowa; the region boasts a legion of well-manicured nine and 18-hole courses.

Camping is also a great way to experience nature, and area kids can get a unique experience through the programs through Mason City Parks and Recreation. Adding to the offerings are camping programs offered by the YMCA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, introducing youth to the great outdoors and the availability of modern campsites at Clear Lake. Try a yurt at McIntosh Woods! Each yurt is a 16-foot, dome-like structure of canvas stretched over a wooden frame with a few window openings and is furnished with a full-size futon, twin bunk beds and a table and chairs.Winter Sports

In North Iowa, ice hockey, figure skating, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and ice fishing are favorite sports. East Park and Lynn Lorentzen Park are ideal destinations for sledding. Snowmobile enthusiasts frequent Clear Lake, McIntosh Woods, Wilkinson Pioneer in Rock Falls and the Shellrock River.

Indoor Activities

Indoor choices are plentiful, beginning with Diamond Jo Casino. Just 20 minutes from Mason City, the casino offers exciting games of chance, big name entertainment, convention space and a variety of dining options.

The Mason City YMCA and several private health clubs offer aerobics, Pilates, racquetball, spinning, strength training, swimming, Tae Kwon Do, tumbling, volleyball and yoga.

Mason City and Clear Lake both have movie theaters and bowling alleys, or you can make your shot at either the Mohawk Indoor Archery Club or on indoor courts at the North Iowa Tennis Club.