The $640,000 renovation of one of Iowa’s busiest campgrounds is complete and now all that is left is for grass to return in the spring.

The campground at Emerson Bay State Recreation area, on West Okoboji Lake, was closed beginning in mid-June 2012, for an entire campground makeover.

Crews removed trees and brush, installed new electrical lines, camping pads, fire rings and living spaces, and remodeled the older restroom/shower building.

The new Emerson Bay campground has fewer total campsites, but more sites with electricity.  Campers will find 82 electrical sites, of which, 23 sites offer water and sewer connections in addition to electricity, and a new campground layout.

The new sites are larger, level and some offer the option to pull through rather than back in.  The cable TV option that was part of the old campground was not included in the upgrade.

Emerson Bay is also in the planning stages for a fish cleaning station similar to the one at Marble Beach.

The fish cleaning station would be located along a new road in the green space northwest of the main boat ramp. If all goes well, it could be in place in fall 2013.

Logo courtesy Iowa Department of Natural Resources