Top 20 Lakes around Richfield
Best lakes around Richfield offer diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities within and near the city. Richfield, Minnesota, provides access to both urban lakes and larger bodies of water in the surrounding Minneapolis area. These lakes are characterized by their natural beauty, often featuring trails, parks, and various amenities for outdoor activities. The region's geography supports a range of aquatic environments, from calm urban lakes to expansive recreational hubs.
Best lakes around Richfield
- The most popular lakes is Bde Maka Ska, a lake that is the largest in Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes. It covers 401 acres and is encircled by bike and walking trails, making it a hub for outdoor activities like biking, running, and water sports.
- Another must-see spot is Lake Nokomis, a lake spanning 204 acres. A 7.3-mile paved path connects it to Richfield, offering opportunities for biking, walking, and inline skating, and is wheelchair accessible.
- Visitors also love Lake Harriet, a lake with a playground, picnic area, fishing pier, and a beach. It features a trail suitable for running, walking, and biking, and hosts live music concerts in the summer.
- Richfield is known for its urban lakes, large recreational lakes, and smaller fishing spots. Visitors can find a variety of lakes to explore, offering options for quiet reflection, active recreation, and wildlife observation.
- The lakes around Richfield are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 39 upvotes and 2 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: April 26, 2026
Lake Nokomis
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Cedar Lake
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Lake of the Isles
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Bde Maka Ska
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Lake Harriet
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Tips from the Community
Cedar Lake is the centerpiece of a park of the same name. The park has three sandy beaches, a nice picnic area with a grill, a fishing pier, and a great running trail around the lake.
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You might find a live music concert happening at this park in the summer, but it remains a great destination all year-round, music or not. Facilities here include a playground and picnic area, a fishing pier, a beach, the bandstand for performances of course, and a nice trail for running, walking and biking.
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The Lake Nokomis Trail in Minnesota is a 7.3-mile paved path that stretches from Minneapolis to Burnsville, connecting three communities: Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington. This 10-foot-wide trail is popular for biking, walking, jogging, and inline skating, while also being wheelchair accessible. Along its route, the trail passes through parks, residential areas, and near popular attractions like the Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It links to other regional trails, such as the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway and Minnesota River Greenway, with parking available at various points, including Taft Park and the Cedar Nichols Trailhead. Lake Nokomis spans 204 acres and is a true natural highlight of the trail.
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Bde Maka Ska Lake, the largest lake in Minneapolis, is the largest lake of the city's Chain of Lakes. Covering 401 acres with a maximum depth of 87 feet, this lake is encircled by bike and walking trails, making it a hub for outdoor activities. Popular for birding, road biking, and running, Bde Maka Ska also supports windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and swimming, giving it its status as a prime recreational spot in the Twin Cities.
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Beautiful ride around the lake, especially when it is sunny.
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This area provides a wide range of amenities, including a fishing pier, soccer fields, and even an ice skating rink. There are two separate paths encircling the lake, one for walking and the other for biking.
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Cedar Lake is the centerpiece of a park of the same name. The park has three sandy beaches, a nice picnic area with a grill, a fishing pier, and a great running trail around the lake.
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This is the centerpiece of a hugely popular park, seeing more than 5 million visitors every year. You'll find lots of recreation facilities here, including hockey and skating rinks, a fishing pier, a soccer field, and some lovely paths for walking and running.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular lakes around Richfield for outdoor activities?
For a wide range of outdoor activities, Bde Maka Ska is highly popular. As the largest lake in Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes, it offers extensive bike and walking trails, and is a hub for birding, road biking, running, windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and swimming.
Are there any lakes near Richfield that are wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Lake Nokomis is an excellent choice. It features a 7.3-mile paved path that connects to Richfield, which is popular for biking, walking, jogging, and inline skating, and is also wheelchair accessible.
Which lakes are best for families with children?
Several lakes offer great amenities for families. Lake Harriet provides a playground, picnic area, and a beach. Additionally, Richfield Lake within the city has a small adjacent park with play areas, making it suitable for families looking for a quiet escape.
Where can I find trails for hiking or walking near Richfield's lakes?
Many lakes offer excellent trails. Wood Lake, part of the Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, features a 2.3-mile flat, varied trail through lowland forests, marsh, and prairie, including a boardwalk. For more options, you can explore various hiking routes in the area, such as the easy 'Wood Lake Nature Center loop' or 'Veterans Memorial Park loop'. Find more details on the Hiking around Richfield guide.
Are there lakes suitable for swimming near Richfield?
Yes, Cedar Lake is a great option, boasting three distinct beach areas. Lake Harriet also has a beach, and Bde Maka Ska is known for supporting swimming activities.
What kind of wildlife can I observe at the lakes?
Richfield Lake is known for its abundant local wildlife, including diverse bird species, turtles, and aquatic plants like water lilies. Wood Lake at the Wood Lake Nature Center is also an excellent spot for birdwatching and observing various wildlife from its boardwalk.
Can I go cycling around the lakes near Richfield?
Absolutely. Lakes like Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are encircled by dedicated bike and walking trails. Lake Harriet also offers a trail suitable for biking. For more cycling routes, check out the Cycling around Richfield guide, which includes routes like the 'Lake Nokomis – Mississippi River Trail loop'.
Are there any lakes near Richfield that host events or concerts?
Lake Harriet is well-known for hosting live music concerts in the summer at its bandstand, making it a vibrant destination beyond just outdoor recreation.
Which lakes are good for fishing near Richfield?
Diamond Lake, a 52-acre lake near Richfield, is noted as a fishing spot, offering opportunities for anglers. Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles also feature fishing piers for public use.
What amenities can I expect at the lakes around Richfield?
Amenities vary by lake. For example, Lake Harriet offers a playground, picnic area, fishing pier, and a beach. Cedar Lake has three beach areas, a cross-country ski trail, fishing pier, and picnic areas. Lake of the Isles provides a fishing pier, soccer fields, and even an ice skating rink.
Are there any less crowded lakes for a peaceful experience?
Richfield Lake, located within Richfield, offers a peaceful urban escape with calm waters and lush greenery, ideal for quiet reflection or gentle recreation away from larger crowds. Wood Lake at the Wood Lake Nature Center also provides a serene natural experience with its boardwalk and trails.
Can I bring my dog to the lakes?
While specific dog-friendly rules can vary, Lake Harriet is listed as dog-friendly, making it a good option for visitors with pets. Always check local regulations for other lakes.
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