8 Best Lakes in the Twin Cities for a Fantastic Summer Day with Kids
Nothing is more Minnesotan than spending a lazy summer day at the lake, soaking up the sun and playing in the water together and we found the Best Lakes Twin Cities to do just that. You don’t have to go far to enjoy some of the best lakes in Minnesota, however. Twin Cities families have a wealth of options right here in Minneapolis! In fact, Minneapolis boasts some of the best family-friendly beaches and places to swim in the area. Plus, many lakes in Minneapolis with a beach include unique amenities like on-site ice cream or non-motorized watercraft rentals (think kayaks and stand-up paddleboards). Whether you are looking for a beach with a lifeguard on duty, a waterfront playground, or a fantastic picnicking spot, this list has what you need for a fun summer outing with your kids. Keep reading to discover some of the best lakes in Minneapolis for families with kids of all ages!
Note: Many of these lakes and beaches may experience closures throughout the summer due to weather or other reasons. Before finalizing your plans, check their websites for possible closures or changes to lifeguard staffing.
Best Lakes in Minneapolis for Kids
Those searching for the best lakes in Minneapolis with kids are in luck! There are several fun options to choose from this summer. Whether you are looking for places to swim in Minneapolis or want a lake with a beach to sunbathe on while kids play in the sand, these five lakes have everything you need for a fun summer outing with your kids.
Lake Harriet
Located in southwest Minneapolis, Lake Harriet is surrounded by beautiful neighborhoods and green spaces. Known for its bandshell, Lake Harriet also boasts a massive playground, two beaches, a fishing pier, and a 2.8-mile loop walking path around the lake. While you stroll around the lake, challenge kids to find the tiny elf house! As one of the best lakes in Minneapolis for kids, the amenities include indoor restrooms and drinking fountains.
If you are looking for family-friendly beaches in Minneapolis, Lake Harriet offers two (the North Beach and the Southeast Beach). Please note that neither beach has lifeguards on duty. Both are accessible from the walking path that encircles Lake Harriet. The North Beach also has a floating swim dock. Then, Wheel Fun Rentals (near the bandshell) offers canoe, kayak, paddleboard, pedal boat, bike rentals, and more throughout the summer. These rentals are a great way to explore the lake’s path and get on the water.
Around Lake Harriet, there are several places to picnic, including official tables (some of which also offer grills). Finally, there is plenty of parking around Lake Harriet. While you can find free street parking, the paid parking lots will get you closest to the beaches and amenities (ideal when hauling your beach bag and kids!).
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: Bread & Pickle (located on-site near the bandshell), Broders’ Cucina Italiana (great for picnic supplies), Lake Harriet Pizza, and Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream Shop.
Lake Nokomis
Nestled in a quiet part of Minneapolis, Lake Nokomis is beloved for its picturesque scenery and family-friendly amenities. If you want lakes in Minneapolis with a beach, add Lake Nokomis to your summer bucket list! In addition to two sandy beaches (Main Beach and 50th Street Beach), Lake Nokomis has two fishing piers, a playground, sports fields, and a 2.5-mile walking path around the lake. Plus, there are restroom facilities and drinking fountains throughout the park.
Need help deciding which beach to choose? Main Beach offers lifeguard hours, while 50th Street Beach does not. Main Beach also provides an on-site seasonal eatery called The Painted Turtle. Kids will adore its scratch-made bites and locally sourced ice cream. Alternatively, picnic and beachside snacks are available from the concessions building. If you want to explore more, Wheel Fun Rentals offers boats and bikes during the summer months. The rental kiosk is located near Main Beach.
Then, picnicking areas (including tables and grills) are available throughout the park. Paid parking is available at several on-site lots, and a coveted free parking lot is also available.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: The Painted Turtle (on-site), Fat Lorenzos, and Grand Ole Creamery.
Best Lakes Twin Cities: Lake Bde Maka Ska
Perhaps one of the most well-known lakes in Minneapolis, Lake Bde Maka Ska is a favorite for families across the Twin Cities. Lake Bde Maka Ska features 32nd Street Beach, North Beach, and Thomas Beach, offering three of the best beaches in Minneapolis for families. Additionally, the park provides kid-friendly amenities like two playgrounds, a fishing pier, sports fields, and a 3.2-mile loop walking/biking trail around the lake. Restroom facilities and drinking fountains are also available around Lake Bde Maka Ska.
With three beaches, there are plenty of places to swim on this Minneapolis lake! Thomas Beach is the only beach on Lake Bde Maka Ska that offers lifeguard hours. It also features a floating swim dock and a sand volleyball court. Then, North Beach includes a nearby playground, ideal for families with young kids who may need a break from the water. Alternatively, 32nd Street Beach is also located near a playground. Bde Maka Ska Pavilion offers concessions during the summer. Plus, canoe, kayak, bike, boat, and paddle board rentals are provided through Wheel Fun Rentals during the summer.
Finally, parking is available around the lake at one of the many pay lots and spaces. Some nearby street parking may also be available, but it is quite a walk to the beaches or playground.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: Punch Pizza Lake Street, Ben & Jerry’s, La La Homemade Ice Cream and Luncheonette, and Sonny’s Ice Cream Cafe.
Cedar Lake
Part of the Chain of Lakes, Cedar Lake offers one of the top places for families with kids to swim in Minneapolis. Not only does Cedar Lake offer three beaches, but families will also find a 1.68-mile walking/biking path around the lake, a fishing pier, and plenty of areas to picnic together (including some options with grills). Plus, its location puts families near Cedar Lake Parkway, Cedar Lake Regional Trail, and Kenilworth Trail for more extended hiking or biking adventures.
The three beaches here are Cedar Lake East Beach, Cedar Lake Point Beach, and Cedar Lake South Beach. While none of the beaches offer lifeguard hours, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Cedar Lake together. Each of the beaches is located near the walking path. Then, Cedar Lake East Beach and Cedar Lake Point Beach both offer drinking fountains. Cedar Lake Point Beach is your best option if you don’t want to walk far from the parking lot. Additionally, a canoe launch is also available for those who want to get on the water. Lastly, a pay parking lot is available on-site.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: Punch Pizza Lake Street and Ben & Jerry’s.
Best Lakes Twin Cities: Lake of the Isles
Connected to Lake Bde Maka Ska and Cedar Lake through the city’s Chain of Lakes, Lake of the Isles offers fantastic skyline views and plenty of places for families to play and make memories together. As one of the best lakes in Minneapolis, it provides a 2.7-mile loop walking/biking trail around the lake, a fishing pier, a dog park, and sports fields.
While Lake of the Isles does not have any beaches, there are areas where you can launch canoes and other non-motorized watercraft for a day on the lake. Due to the lake’s quiet and serene nature and its position on the Chain of Lakes, it is prized by canoers and kayakers in the Twin Cities. Indeed, this lake is best enjoyed by picnicking, strolling around, and playing together in one of the many green spaces that surround the lake. Drinking fountains can also be found around the lake. Finally, street parking is available.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: Punch Pizza Lake Street, Ben & Jerry’s, La La Homemade Ice Cream and Luncheonette, and Sonny’s Ice Cream Cafe.
Best Lakes Twin Cities for Kids
While these three lakes aren’t in the city limits of Minneapolis, they are still great options for families this summer! Within 30 minutes of Minneapolis, these lakes feature beautiful beaches (some with lifeguards on duty), playgrounds, picnicking areas, and much more! Keep reading to learn about these fantastic lakes near Minneapolis for families with kids of all ages.
Shady Oak Lake
Shady Oak Beach is a popular swimming hole in the Minnetonka/Hopkins area. Named for its towering oak trees, it offers plenty of shady places for families to play and relax. On hot summer days, families love Shady Oak Beach for its waterfront playground and beautiful stretch of beach.
The beach has a lifeguard on duty during all open hours, making it one of the best beaches near Minneapolis for families. Older kids can also challenge themselves to the high dive area! Families can set up their home base for the day on the beach or at one of the umbrella areas on the patio. Then, a concession stand, changing facilities, and a first-aid area are also available. Alternatively, families interested in getting on the water together can rent (or bring their own) kayaks or canoes.
On the multi-age playground, kids can jump, crawl, slide, and swing their way through beautiful summer days. Plus, kids can even dig for hidden fossils in the playground’s sandy area! Meanwhile, the area outside the fence offers shaded picnic tables (with grills) and a scenic walking/biking path.
While this is one of the best places to swim near Minneapolis, there is a small fee for entrance to the beach and facilities (full-season passes are available). Kids ages 2 and under are free. Finally, on-site parking is available for free.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: YoYo Donuts and Bella’s Ice Cream and Coffee (Hopkins).
Swim Pond at Lake Elmo Park Reserve
The Swim Pond at Lake Elmo Park Reserve is an excellent place for families to enjoy sunny summer days together. Located in Lake Elmo, this beach and swimming area is an artificial, chlorinated swimming pond. For families who want the feel of a “real beach” with the benefits of a filtered, chlorinated pool, this is an unrivaled place to swim near Minneapolis with kids! In fact, most of the pond is relatively shallow and older kids should be able to touch the sandy bottom easily. The pond reaches a maximum depth of six feet.
Lifeguards are on duty during all open hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Those who arrive early in the day will also be rewarded with one of the coveted umbrella spots, which offer shade throughout the day. When you need a break from the water, a playground is located near the beach area.
Please note that swim diapers are required for children who are not potty trained. Children’s life jackets are also available for free use from the concession area. The concession stand offers some food and refreshments, and you are welcome to pack your own picnic or cooler for the day. Finally, while the Swim Pond is free to use, there is a small entrance fee for all vehicles to access Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: Very few restaurants and ice cream spots are located immediately near Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Plan to pack your own food or rely on the on-site concessions for snacks and treats.
Best Lakes Twin Cities: Bush Lake Beach
Located in Bloomington’s Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve, Bush Lake Beach is a beautiful place for a fun summer outing with kids. Generally open June 1 to Labor Day Weekend, admission and parking are free, making this one of the best lakes near Minneapolis with a beach for families. Please note, however, that there are no lifeguards on duty here. Swim diapers are required for children who are not potty trained.
When kids need a break from the water, a small playground and a sand volleyball court are nearby. A small concession area is also located near the beach, and restrooms and drinking fountains are also available.
In addition to the beach, Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve is well-known for its Hyland Play Area or the “chutes and ladders park“. It is about a 20-minute walk or a 2-minute drive between the beach and this playground area. The visitor’s center near this massive playground offers limited concessions and indoor bathrooms. Finally, plenty of hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course, and other wide-open green spaces are available if you want to make a longer day of exploring here.
Nearby Places to Eat or Get a Treat: Bo Diddley’s and My Burger (Eden Prairie location).
Keep Exploring Minnesota this Summer with Kids!
We hope you have a good time splashing around and exploring some of the best lakes in Minneapolis with your kids! Whether you are looking to relax on the beach or are searching for places to swim near Minneapolis, this guide has everything you need to know this summer. So pack up your kids and your beach bag; it’s time to soak in the sun and play in the sand together!
Antonia Grant is a Minnesota mom + freelance writer who loves encouraging parents to find ways to connect and make memories with their kids. She’s a firm believer in providing children with experiences over things. You can find more from Antonia and her family adventures on Instagram @knead.to.roam and on her website. She shares all things family travel, outdoor adventures, and their favorite foodie finds.
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