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Storm Lake Iowa Map

Explore Storm Lake, Iowa, with this interactive street and satellite map.

Interactive Map of Storm Lake, Iowa

CityStorm Lake
StateIowa (IA)
CountyBuena Vista County
CountryUnited States of America
TimezoneCentral Time (America/Chicago)
Latitude42.643095
Longitude-95.19603
Population11,269
Density809.3 /km²
IncorporatedYes
ZIP Code50588
Area Code319
County SeatStorm Lake
School DistrictStorm Lake Community School District

About Storm Lake, Iowa

Storm Lake is a locality in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. It has a population of 11,269. The population density is 809.3 people per km². Storm Lake is located at 42.6431°N, 95.1960°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. Storm Lake is an incorporated locality. ZIP code: 50588.

Storm Lake defines the horizon of this Iowa landscape where the sky seems to possess a singular, expansive weight. It lies 34.7 miles south of Spencer, IA (from Spencer, IA: bearing 185°T), and is situated 4.7 miles east-southeast of Alta. The earth here presents as a vast, rhythmic expanse of tilled soil, where the deep black loam of the prairie sustains endless rows of corn and soybeans. A visitor might walk the Storm Lake Laketrail to witness how the light of a late afternoon shifts across the water, turning the surface into a sheet of hammered copper. Beyond the immediate water, the landscape remains open and quiet, punctuated only by the distant, muted silhouette of Pilot Rock rising toward the clouds. The Little Storm Lake Wildlife Management Area offers a sanctuary for the local fauna, preserving a fragment of the wild character that once defined the entire state.

History in Storm Lake remains tethered to the industrious spirit of those who first broke the prairie sod to build a life upon these plains. The local economy thrives on the strength of its agricultural processing and manufacturing, sectors that provide a steady pulse to the daily labor of its people. Outlet Creek meanders through the periphery, serving as a quiet reminder of the hydrological forces that have shaped this fertile basin for generations. While the mechanical hum of industry drives the modern growth of Storm Lake, the town maintains a respectful distance from the frenetic pace of larger urban centers. This balance ensures that the commercial life of the region remains firmly rooted in the productivity of the surrounding fields.

Cultural life in Storm Lake draws its character from a diverse heritage, blending traditional Midwestern values with a modern, international perspective. Buena Vista University stands as a focal point of intellectual and social activity, fostering a literate civility that influences the tone of the entire region. The community celebrates its identity through seasonal gatherings that reflect the changing cycles of the harvest and the persistent, unshowy dedication of its residents. Among those who have contributed to the wider cultural consciousness, the author James Salter is perhaps the most notable figure, having spent his formative years in the region. Whether one is watching the sunset from the trail or engaging in the quiet discourse of the local shops, the atmosphere remains grounded and unmistakably authentic to its prairie origins.

Nearby Outdoor Places

  • Harker House (Museum) — 0.3 mi, 238° SW
  • Buena Vista County Historical Society Museum (Museum) — 0.3 mi, 282° W
  • Living Heritage Tree Museum (Museum) — 0.6 mi, 231° SW
  • Memorial Park (Local Park) — 0.7 mi, 131° SE
  • J. Leslie Rollins Stadium (Stadium) — 0.7 mi, 247° SW
  • Log Cabin Museum (Museum) — 1.2 mi, 130° SE
  • Unknown Park (Local Park) — 1.7 mi, 139° SE
  • Little Storm Lake Wildlife Management Area (State Conservation Area) — 1.7 mi, 273° W
  • Bel Air Access (State Recreation Area) — 2.1 mi, 160° S
  • Casino Bay Access (State Recreation Area) — 2.1 mi, 237° SW
  • Gaherty Wildlife Area (Local Conservation Area) — 4.6 mi, 060° NE
  • Raccoon River Heritage Wildlife Corridor (Local Conservation Area) — 7.8 mi, 102° E
  • Pheasant Hills Wildlife Management Area (State Conservation Area) — 8.2 mi, 050° NE
  • Burrow's Pond Waterfowl Production Area (State Resource Management Area) — 10.3 mi, 159° S
  • Sac County Waterfowl Production Area (Resource Management Area) — 10.3 mi, 159° S
  • Kiowa Marsh Waterfowl Production Area (State Resource Management Area) — 12.7 mi, 161° S
  • Albert City Historical Museum (Museum) — 15.9 mi, 052° NE
  • State Theatre (Cinema) — 20.7 mi, 239° SW
  • Quimby Centenial Train Mural (Public Artwork) — 22.7 mi, 268° W
  • Firefighter Memorial Benches (Monument) — 22.7 mi, 268° W
  • Chief Black Hawk Statue (Monument) — 24.4 mi, 161° S
  • Bald Eagle Nest (Attraction) — 25.3 mi, 163° S
  • Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (National Wildlife Refuge) — 25.7 mi, 334° NW · 12k acres
  • Fighter jets (Attraction) — 32.3 mi, 249° W
  • Southpark 7 Theatres (Cinema) — 33.6 mi, 003° N
  • War Memorial (Monument) — 39.6 mi, 173° S
  • Wild Rose Casino and Resort (Attraction) — 42.4 mi, 040° NE
  • Donna Reed Center for Performing Arts (Arts Centre) — 44.0 mi, 191° S
  • Five Island Lake Wildlife Management Area (Nature Reserve) — 45.0 mi, 038° NE
  • Train (Attraction) — 45.4 mi, 256° W

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About This Storm Lake Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Storm Lake, Iowa. Coordinates: 42.643095, -95.19603. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.

Detailed location data for Storm Lake includes the ZIP code (50588), telephone area code (319), county seat of Buena Vista County (Storm Lake), and school district assignment (Storm Lake Community School District).

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.

Page generatedAugust 2026
Location dataSimpleMaps US Cities Database; coordinates matched to USGS GNIS definitive data
Wikipedia validationArticle content matched to USGS GNIS coordinates via Wikipedia geosearch API.