Clear Lake: Parking Only: I-35 SB MM 196 near Clear Lk - Exit

Clear Lake sits on the shore of Clear Lake in north-central Iowa, where a natural glacial lake shapes the town’s waterfront. The lake is central to local life, with marinas, public shoreline and a summer calendar built around boating, sailing and fishing; in winter, its frozen surface is used for ice fishing. Clear Lake is also tied to a pivotal moment in American music: the Surf Ballroom hosted Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson for their final concert on 2 February 1959, before the plane crash remembered as “the day the music died.” The ballroom remains an active concert venue. Browse additional webcams from the surrounding area to extend your view of Clear Lake and north-central Iowa.

Iowa combines broad agricultural openness with wooded river corridors in a way that reflects its position within the American Midwest. The Mississippi River forms much of the eastern border, while the Missouri River marks the west; between them, rolling prairie, farmland, and smaller waterways shape the state’s largely rural character. Des Moines, the capital, is Iowa’s main urban centre and hosts the annual Iowa State Fair, an institution closely associated with the state’s farming traditions. The Loess Hills along the western edge add a distinct landform to this predominantly lowland state. Browse additional webcams from the surrounding area to extend your view of Iowa.

The Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts define much of the United States — their ports, fisheries and trade routes have long tied the country’s economy to the wider world. Between them, the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains and Mississippi River basin form sharply different regions, from high western ranges to broad agricultural heartlands. Cities carry much of the national story: New York’s Statue of Liberty, a gift from France dedicated in 1886, remains an enduring symbol, while Washington, DC concentrates major federal institutions. Indigenous nations have shaped these lands for millennia, and their living cultures remain essential to the country’s identity. Find related webcams in the surrounding areas to build a fuller picture of the United States.