Discover Minnesota’s Best Lakes for Year-Round Activities
The stakes are high when it comes to mapping out the best lakes in Minnesota, a state officially dubbed the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Passion for these beautiful water bodies runs high among locals. Quiet swimming spots hours from civilization, along with highly social lakeside hangs in the city, create a broad range of experiences across the entire state.
While it’s borderline impossible to choose favorites among Minnesota’s thousands of lakes, it’s in your best interest to at least check off a few from this list while visiting.
There’s Fishing in All Seasons at Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods spans 950,000 acres and holds the title of being the northernmost point in the continental United States, known as the Northwest Angle. With more than 14,500 islands, the word mammoth is an understatement when it comes to size, as the lake spreads over two Canadian provinces and Minnesota. Fishing is one of the go-to activities, and walleye and saugers are among the popular species of catch. Even in winter, ice fishing dominates the scene from December through March, making it a year-round activity destination. Far from any cities, it offers a more rustic experience.
Mille Lacs is the Best Year-Round Vacation Spot Near Minneapolis
When examining a map of Minnesota, you’re likely to zoom in on Mille Lacs, a large, rotund lake in the center of the state. Roughly an hour and a half north of Minneapolis, this lake’s name translates to “thousand lakes” from French, even though it’s just one single (albeit quite large) lake. These 132,500 acres are perfect for four seasons of activity, with swimming and boating in the summer and ice fishing and other snowy sports in the winter. There’s no shortage of places to dine out and stay right on the lake.
Catch a Glimpse of Canada from Rainy Lake
Way up on the US–Canada border, mirror-like Rainy Lake is the gateway to Voyageurs National Park, a gorgeous landscape dotted with lakes of all sizes and rocky islands. Known for prime sunset scenes, canvas-like starry night skies, and even the Northern Lights, the lake encapsulates Minnesota’s beauty in one body of water. The landscape features more than 2000 islands to explore via waterways, making hopping in a canoe or kayak one of the best activities here.
Lake Minnetonka: The Best for Boating, Socializing, and Summer Events
As a chain of 16 interconnecting lakes with more than 20 bays, a smattering of islands, and at least a dozen lakeside towns, Lake Minnetonka feels a bit like an above-ground lake version of Atlantis. More than 120 miles of lakeshore lie just 40 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, making it a popular destination for city dwellers seeking a suburban experience on the water. It’s particularly busy around the 4th of July when boaters flock to the waters from the entire metropolitan area.
Minneapolis Chain of Lakes: A Great Natural Spot Near the City
Five distinctive lakes – Cedar, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Harriet, and Brownie – make up the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, a series of well-loved bodies of water just southwest of downtown. Each has its own distinctive character, with Bde Maka Ska being the most social, whereas Lake Harriet is popular among families and sailing enthusiasts. Lake of the Isles is the quietest, surrounded by gorgeous lakeside homes. You’ll find plenty of locals hanging out at Cedar Lake, while Brownie Lake, more of a large pond, invites quiet walks around its perimeter.
Experience the Mississippi River at Lake Pepin
Easily confused as just another chunk of the Mississippi River, Lake Pepin is a naturally formed lake located in a widespread valley right on the river, between the Minnesota–Wisconsin border. Dotted with sailboats in the summer and ice fishers in winter, this lake sees activity in all four seasons, not to mention dreamy fall views when the shoreline turns shades of ochre, burnt orange, and earthy crimson. On the Minnesota side, Frontenac State Park provides excellent views from towering bluffs.
For a Getaway in Nature, Head to Lake Vermilion
With a shoreline of over 340 miles, Lake Vermilion holds the title for the longest shoreline among lakes in Minnesota. This pristine beauty in northeast Minnesota is lined by thick forests, also found on many of the lake’s 365 islands. Far less developed than many others, Lake Vermilion offers a stellar setting to immerse yourself in natural beauty. A handful of laid-back resorts and campgrounds provide ideal respite from a busy schedule.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: Perfect for Adventure and Water Sports
Although it can’t be classified as one single lake, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is easily one of Minnesota’s most prized landscapes. A wonderland of waterways navigable only by boat, it lacks modern conveniences, which is precisely what makes it so incredible. Canoeing and kayaking are the preferred methods of transport, with more than 1200 routes to choose from. Portaging, the act of camping via canoe over land and water, is a unique way to explore these pristine areas. Stretching 150 miles along the US-Canada border, it’s about as remote as you can get in Minnesota.
Gull Lake: Experience Minnesota’s Leisure Cabin Lifestyle
The largest of the Brainerd Lakes in central Minnesota, Gull Lake brings together friends and families from all over the state for lakeside leisure. Action-packed with jet skis, fishing, pontoon boats, and swimmers, it’s a popular getaway area during the summer, where many Minnesotans have summer homes. Even in winter, visitors make the most of Gull Lake with ice fishing, highlighted by events like the Ice Fishing Extravaganza.
Lake Superior: The Best Jaw-Dropping Views and Sailing Excursions
“Surely, that’s an ocean,” is what any reasonable person might think when viewing Lake Superior for the first time. It’s the largest freshwater lake in the country, bordering Minnesota’s north shore. Towering, craggy rock cliffs meet serene shoreline waters line the entire northeast edge, allowing for numerous scenic viewpoints and pebble-filled beaches. Start your Lake Superior adventure in Duluth, a port city known as the gateway to the stunning lake.
