Top 20 Lakes around Hopkins
Best lakes around Hopkins, Minnesota, are situated amidst a landscape featuring both smaller, accessible lakes and proximity to larger bodies of water. The region offers diverse natural settings for outdoor recreation. These lakes provide opportunities for activities ranging from fishing and swimming to hiking and biking on surrounding trails. The area's geography includes spring-fed lakes, urban lakes with developed park facilities, and expansive recreational lakes.
Best lakes around Hopkins
- 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. It is a hub for outdoor activities, including birding, road biking, running, windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and swimming.
- Another must-see spot is 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 around the lake.
- Visitors also love Lake of the Isles, a lake that is the centerpiece of a popular park. It offers a fishing pier, soccer fields, an ice skating rink, and separate paths for walking and biking.
- Hopkins is known for spring-fed lakes, large recreational lakes, and urban lakes with extensive trail systems. These include lakes with public access, family-friendly amenities, and opportunities for various water sports and shore activities.
- The lakes around Hopkins are appreciated by the komoot community. The highlights have received 12 upvotes and feature 2 photos, indicating their appeal to visitors.
Last updated: June 25, 2026
West Medicine Lake Park Beach
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Cedar Lake
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Staring Lake
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Lake of the Isles
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Bde Maka Ska
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Tips from the Community
Although this spot offers a close-up view of Staring Lake, if you continue along the Staring Lake Trail around the shoreline, you’ll discover several more viewpoints, especially on the northwest side of the lake.
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This secluded beach looks perfect for a summer break. Bring your swimsuit on your ride!
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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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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 point brings you up close and personal to Staring Lake, offering a unique perspective on its beauty. While it's a bit off the main trail, it serves as an excellent break point to fully appreciate all the natural splendor that this park has to offer.
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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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Frequently Asked Questions
Which lakes around Hopkins are best for families?
Several lakes near Hopkins offer excellent family-friendly amenities. Cedar Lake features three distinct beach areas, picnic spots, and a walking path. Lake of the Isles is a popular park with a fishing pier, soccer fields, and even an ice skating rink in winter. Additionally, West Medicine Lake Park Beach provides a public waterfront with picnicking areas, volleyball courts, fishing spots, and a playground. Lone Lake Park, while not a highlight, is also very kid-friendly with playgrounds and restrooms.
Are there lakes near Hopkins with public access for swimming?
Yes, several lakes offer public access for swimming. Shady Oak Lake in Hopkins has a popular swimming beach with lifeguards and concessions. Cedar Lake has three distinct beach areas, and West Medicine Lake Park Beach provides a public waterfront for swimming and other activities.
What kind of trails can I find around the lakes near Hopkins?
The lakes around Hopkins offer a variety of trails. Bde Maka Ska is encircled by dedicated bike and walking trails. Lake of the Isles also has separate paths for walking and biking. For a more natural experience, Staring Lake features beautiful forested trails, mostly paved, that circle the lake. Lone Lake Park offers well-maintained trails for walking and hiking. You can also find extensive cycling routes nearby, such as those detailed in the Cycling around Hopkins guide.
Which lakes are good for fishing near Hopkins?
Shady Oak Lake is a popular spot for fishing, with species including Bluegill, Crappie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Bullhead, and good shore fishing available. Lone Lake also has a healthy fish population including black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish. For a wider variety, Lake Minnetonka is known for its diverse fish community, including largemouth bass, sunfish, crappies, muskie, northern pike, and walleye.
Are there dog-friendly lakes or parks around Hopkins?
Yes, West Medicine Lake Park Beach is dog-friendly, offering a public waterfront and trails where dogs are welcome. Always ensure to check specific park rules regarding leashes and designated areas.
What water sports can I do on the lakes near Hopkins?
Lake Minnetonka is a major hub for year-round water recreation, offering boating, sailing, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding in the summer, and ice fishing and ice yachting in the winter. Bde Maka Ska is also popular for windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and swimming.
What natural features can I expect to see around these lakes?
The lakes offer diverse natural settings. Shady Oak Lake is a spring-fed lake with clear water. Lone Lake is a healthy, shallow lake with good water clarity and diverse aquatic plant species. Staring Lake is surrounded by beautiful forested areas. Lake Minnetonka, formed from interconnected kettle lakes, channels, and 18 islands, boasts 125 miles of irregular shoreline and is fed by streams like Six Mile Creek.
Are there accessible paths or facilities for visitors with mobility needs?
Many parks around the lakes feature paved paths. West Medicine Lake Park Beach has a 2.7-mile paved pathway. Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska both have paved trails encircling them, suitable for walking and biking. Lone Lake Park also offers well-maintained trails and amenities like restrooms.
What are some winter activities available on the lakes?
During winter, Lake Minnetonka transforms into a hub for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and ice yachting. Cedar Lake offers a cross-country ski trail, and Lake of the Isles features an ice skating rink, making them popular for cold-weather recreation.
Where can I find amenities like restrooms or picnic areas near the lakes?
Many lake parks are well-equipped. West Medicine Lake Park Beach has public restrooms and picnic tables. Cedar Lake and Staring Lake also provide picnic areas, and Staring Lake specifically mentions toilets and water. Lone Lake Park is also equipped with restrooms and drinking water stations.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Hopkins?
Visitors frequently appreciate the diverse recreational opportunities and natural beauty. The clear waters of Shady Oak Lake, the extensive trail systems around lakes like Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles, and the family-friendly amenities at places like West Medicine Lake Park Beach are often highlighted. The komoot community particularly enjoys the scenic views and the variety of activities available, from biking and running to water sports.
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