Top 20 Lakes around Plymouth

Plymouth is home to 15 named lakes. Medicine Lake is the largest in Plymouth, spanning over 900 acres and offering full recreational access. Nearby, Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in Minneapolis, covering 401 acres and encircled by bike and walking trails. Parkers Lake is another significant recreational resource within Plymouth, featuring a public beach and boat landing.

Yes, Plymouth boasts 144 miles of trails within its park system. You can find excellent walking and hiking opportunities around many lakes. For example, Medicine Lake is connected to the Medicine Lake Regional Trail and Luce Line Trail. Parkers Lake also has running/jogging trails. For more detailed hiking options, explore the Hiking around Plymouth guide, which includes routes like the French Beach Loop and Parker's Lake Loop.

Many lakes in Plymouth offer family-friendly amenities. Medicine Lake, particularly Clifton E. French Regional Park, has swimming beaches, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Parkers Lake features a public beach, playground, and picnic shelters. West Medicine Lake Park Beach also provides a public waterfront with picnicking areas, volleyball courts, and a playground. Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles also have family-friendly facilities like beaches, picnic areas, and walking paths.

Yes, several lakes offer swimming opportunities. Medicine Lake has a sandy swimming beach in Clifton E. French Regional Park. Parkers Lake is suitable for swimming with good water clarity. Cedar Lake boasts three distinct beach areas for public access. Bde Maka Ska also supports swimming.

The lakes around Plymouth are excellent for various water sports. Medicine Lake offers boating, fishing, kayaking, and sailing. Bde Maka Ska is popular for windsurfing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and swimming. Parkers Lake is also suitable for boating. For a quieter experience, Bass Lake and Gleason Lake are ideal for paddling.

Absolutely. Anglers can find a variety of fish species in Plymouth's lakes. Medicine Lake is home to bluegill, crappie, northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch. Bass Lake supports black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, and pumpkinseed. Gleason Lake and Mooney Lake offer good shore and bridge fishing for panfish like sunnies and bluegill. Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles also feature fishing piers.

Yes, West Medicine Lake Park Beach is noted as dog-friendly, offering a public waterfront and trails for you and your pet to enjoy. Always ensure to check local regulations for specific leash requirements and designated off-leash areas.

Plymouth's lakes transform into winter playgrounds. Medicine Lake is popular for hockey, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. Parkers Lake offers an ice skating rink with a warming house. Lake of the Isles also provides an ice skating rink.

Plymouth has 144 miles of trails, many of which are suitable for cycling. The Medicine Lake Regional Trail and Luce Line Trail connect to Medicine Lake. Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are encircled by dedicated bike paths. You can find numerous cycling routes in the Cycling around Plymouth guide, including routes like the Valley Trail – Medicine Lake Regional Trail loop.

Several lakes in Plymouth provide excellent amenities. Medicine Lake, particularly Clifton E. French Regional Park and East Medicine Lake Park, offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and rentable shelters. Parkers Lake features picnic shelters and a playground. West Medicine Lake Park Beach has picnicking areas and a playground. Cedar Lake also includes picnic areas.

The St. Albans Bay Bridge, which offers great views over Lake Minnetonka, is noted as wheelchair accessible. While specific details for all trails are not available, many paved paths around the larger lakes like Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are generally accessible, but it's always best to check specific trail conditions.

For a more serene paddling experience, Bass Lake is known for its quiet beauty and paddle-friendly waters, featuring an island at its center. Gleason Lake is also valued for its serene shoreline and is popular for kayaking and quiet paddling.