Timeline for
Preservation Plaza:
8 AM - 9:45 AM: Bike Ride Check-in
8:30 AM - 1 PM: Farmers Market in the Park 10 AM - 12 PM: Bike Ride
12 PM - 4 PM: Live music, Bavarian food options, drinks, games & activities!
Enjoy additional Oktoberfest festivities at area bars, restaurants, shopping centers, and other businesses throughout the entire weekend!
About the Weekend:
University of Okoboji Oktoberfest originated 29 years ago with the bike ride. Cyclists have been able to experience the Iowa Great Lakes area in all of its fun & beauty even after what most people recognize as the "summer season" for Okoboji. With the leaves changing to their breath-taking shades of colors to the glistening waters of the lakes, Okoboji is definitely the place to be this fall! Join us for a weekend of the classic bike ride, live music, food, drinks, games and activities.
About the Ride:
Enjoy this 24-mile fun bike ride with the most scenic trails and lakeside roads around West Lake Okoboji. The start AND end location is Preservation Plaza. Terrain is mostly flat with some short rolling hills. Trails are swept prior to ride. CLICK HERE to view the route map!
2020 marks the 29th year for the Oktoberfest Bike Ride. Come ride with us on Saturday, September 26th!
More Fun All Day Long:
Oye Oye! There are so many activities to enjoy from 12:00-4:00pm. Take part in the Bean Bag Toss Tournament sponsored by KUOO, Keg Toss Competition sponsored by MHR Insurance or test your arm strength in the Stein Holding Competition! Enjoy delicious Bavarian Food options while singing along to some of your favorite songs.
Not in the mood for competition? That's okay! Bring out your inner child with a fun ride down the 22 foot tall Hot Lava Inflatable slide, or challenge yourself with the 40 foot long inflatable obstacle course. We have so many fun games for you and your friends and family to enjoy from giant connect 4 to Hammerschlagen! Each of these activities, plus some of the Arnolds Park Amusement Park rides will be available at Preservation Plaza for you to enjoy for FREE!
Need more convincing on how fun Oktoberfest is?
Hear directly from past participants!
“Good times, good people. Fun was had by all.”
- DIANE K FROM IOWA
“Fun ride and great host. Easy to moderate route. Made a day of it with plenty to do around Okoboji.”
- CHARLES E. FROM SPENCER
“Had a lot of fun. Great people, Great Lakes!!!”
- SCOTT R. FROM OKOBOJI
“The trails were great, the weather was great, the directional markers on the trail were outstanding. Thank you, see you again next year!”
- MARLENE FROM ATLANTIC
“Nice safe ride around the lakes. Always a fun ride with good people.”
- MIKE B. FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS
“Last great ride of the summer!”
- JUDY FROM SPENCER
“Okoboji trails, fellow bikers, West O beer….perfect day!”
- BECKY K. FROM MILFORD
“A great ride with a fantastic ending with West-O!!!”
- HEATHER P. FROM PRIMGHAR
“The Oktoberfest ride is great!”
- STEVE S. FROM JACKSON, WY
“Enjoyed the fact that all ages were riding and enjoying the great trails. See ya next year.”
- LORI A. FROM MILFORD
“Very good course with beautiful scenery.”
- PAUL B. FROM PAPILLION, NE
“Great ride. Great shirts. Great beer!”
- CHRISTINA S. FROM SPENCER