Top 20 Lakes around St. Louis Park
Best lakes around St. Louis Park provide diverse recreational opportunities and natural beauty. While St. Louis Park itself features smaller bodies of water like Wolfe Lake and Lamplighter Pond, it offers access to significant regional lakes. These lakes are known for activities such as fishing, swimming, and extensive trail networks. The area serves as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts seeking various water-based and lakeside experiences.
Best lakes around St. Louis Park
- The most popular lakes is Bde Maka Ska, a lake that is the largest in Minneapolis, 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 including birding, road biking, running, windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and swimming.
- Another must-see spot is Lake Nokomis, a lake with a 7.3-mile paved path that connects three communities. This 10-foot-wide trail is popular for biking, walking, jogging, and inline skating, and is wheelchair accessible.
- Visitors also love Cedar Lake, a lake with three distinct beach areas and numerous amenities. The area provides a cross-country ski trail, fishing pier, picnic area, and a walking path that circles the lake.
- St. Louis Park is known for lakes suitable for fishing, swimming, and trail activities. The variety of lakes provides options for different outdoor pursuits, from quiet fishing spots to active swimming beaches and extensive walking paths.
- The lakes around St. Louis Park are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 10 upvotes and 2 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 12, 2026
West Medicine Lake Park Beach
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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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Tips from the Community
West Medicine Lake Park Beach offers a public waterfront with picnicking areas, volleyball courts, fishing spots, and a playground. A 2.7-mile paved pathway connects this park to the Medicine Lake Regional Trail in Minneapolis and the Luce Line Trail in Plymouth, providing scenic views of the lake along the way. The trail winds through the park, leading to the beach, and offers peaceful moments away from the road. Open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, the park is dog-friendly with public restrooms and picnic tables, making it a great destination for outdoor fun.
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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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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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Cedar Lake is a lake in Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes. This is the city's only lake that has sections of private shoreline. You can soak in the views from this public beach area along the paved path that circles the lake.
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This lake boasts three distinct beach areas with access to Cedar Lake. Also, the area provides numerous amenities, including a cross-country ski trail, fishing pier, picnic area, and walking path.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which lakes around St. Louis Park are best for families?
For a family-friendly outing, Cedar Lake offers three sandy beaches, picnic areas with grills, and a walking path. Bde Maka Ska is also excellent, with bike and walking trails, and opportunities for swimming and various water sports. Additionally, Wolfe Lake in Wolfe Park provides a sheltered picnic area, playground, and fishing pier, making it a well-rounded destination for all ages.
Where can I find lakes with good walking and biking trails?
Several lakes offer extensive trail networks. Bde Maka Ska is encircled by bike and walking trails, popular for running and cycling. Lake Nokomis features a 7.3-mile paved path that is also wheelchair accessible. Cedar Lake has a great running trail around it, and Lake of the Isles provides separate paths for walking and biking.
Are there good fishing spots near St. Louis Park?
Yes, there are many excellent fishing spots. Wolfe Lake is a popular choice with a fishing pier and shore fishing stations, where you can catch bluegill, black crappie, and northern pike. Sweeney Lake is another prime location for fishing, including ice fishing, offering a variety of species like largemouth bass and yellow perch. You can also find fishing piers at Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, and Wirth Lake.
Which lakes have swimming beaches?
For swimming, Cedar Lake boasts three distinct beach areas. West Medicine Lake Park Beach offers a public waterfront for swimming and picnicking. Wirth Lake also features a swimming beach, making it ideal for a refreshing dip on a warm day.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near these lakes?
Beyond water activities, the area offers diverse outdoor pursuits. You can explore gravel biking routes like the Luce Line and Dakota Rail Trail Loop, or enjoy cycling tours such as the Cedar Lake – Bde Maka Ska loop. For mountain biking, trails like the Luce Line Regional Trail – Bryn Mawr Meadows loop are available. Find more details on these activities in the gravel biking, cycling, and MTB trails guides for St. Louis Park.
Are there any lakes with historical or unique features?
Lamplighter Pond, located in Lamplighter Park, is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a former caretaker, adding a unique historical dimension to its restored native shoreline. While not historical, Lake of the Isles is a centerpiece of a hugely popular park, seeing over 5 million visitors annually, and features amenities like hockey and skating rinks in winter.
Which lakes are dog-friendly?
West Medicine Lake Park Beach is noted as dog-friendly, offering a great destination for outdoor fun with your canine companion. Many of the trails around lakes like Bde Maka Ska and Cedar Lake also welcome leashed dogs.
Are there wheelchair-accessible paths around the lakes?
Yes, Lake Nokomis features a 7.3-mile paved path that is explicitly mentioned as wheelchair accessible, connecting three communities and offering a smooth surface for all users.
What kind of wildlife can I spot around the lakes?
The lakes provide habitats for various wildlife. Lamplighter Pond, with its restored native shoreline, supports a healthy environment for fish and wildlife. Bde Maka Ska is a popular spot for birding, offering opportunities to observe diverse bird species.
What are the best times to visit the lakes near St. Louis Park?
The lakes offer activities year-round. Summer is ideal for swimming, boating, and enjoying the beaches. Spring and fall are perfect for walking, biking, and birding, with pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery. In winter, some lakes like Sweeney Lake are popular for ice fishing, and Cedar Lake offers cross-country ski trails.
Are there any lakes with nearby amenities like cafes or picnic areas?
Wolfe Lake in Wolfe Park provides a sheltered picnic area and pavilions. Cedar Lake also has a nice picnic area with grills. While specific cafes aren't listed directly adjacent to every lake, the lakes are generally well-integrated into the St. Louis Park area, meaning amenities are usually a short drive away.
Which lakes are suitable for paddleboarding or other non-motorized boating?
Bde Maka Ska is a prime recreational spot that supports windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, and sailing, making it suitable for paddleboarding as well. Sweeney Lake offers carry-in boat access, which is ideal for non-motorized boats like paddleboards and kayaks.
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