Bear Creek is on the southeast side of Forest City off US 69 to the east 45 minutes northwest of Mason City in North Central Iowa.

The golf course is a straightforward, parkland layout with the original front side characterized by narrow, tree lined fairways and small greens while the back opens up along broad fairways bordered by numerous ponds, streams, and the Winnebago River. The layout was designed by committee, the older nine in the late 1940s, the backside somewhat later, and from the tips plays to 6,575 yards, 70.7/120, course/slope ratings with three shorter tee boxes.