Boating

Minnesota is made for boating. Did you know the land of 10,000 lakes has more miles of coastline than California, Hawaii and Florida combined? Three Rivers offers plenty of boating opportunities with over 30 lakes, rivers and streams. With lake access points, trailer parking sites and boat rental, it’s easy to get the family out on the water to enjoy the ultimate Minnesota pastime.

Passes

A pass is required to park boat trailers at the boat launches April 1 through Nov. 30. The pass receipt must be printed and displayed on the driver's side of your vehicle dashboard. If you purchase online and are unable to print the receipt, please take an envelope from the pay box near the launch and write your receipt number on the tear-off slip. Place the tear-off slip on your dashboard. 

Passes are not required at Parley Lake, Lake Auburn and Lake Zumbra boat launches in Carver Park Reserve.

Daily Passes

  • A daily pass is $7 plus tax and may be purchased the day of use online.
  • A one-time credit of the price of a daily boat trailer pass can be applied to the cost of an annual boat trailer pass when purchased by mail at Three Rivers Park District, 3000 Xenium Lane N., Plymouth, MN 55441.

Annual Passes

  • Passes are $50 plus tax.
  • Passes may be purchased online or by calling 763-559-6700.  
  • If you purchase your pass online, you will receive a confirmation receipt via email which will serve as your seven-day temporary pass. You can expect to receive your pass in the mail in about one week.

Replacement Passes

Replacements for lost or damaged passes are available for a fee of $22.50 plus tax by calling 763-559-6700.

Boating Information

Access to boat launches is 5 AM–10 PM, unless noted.

Baker
Lake Independence – 844 acres.
Spurzem Lake – 70 acres. Gas motors allowed but no wake.
Half Moon Lake – 28 acres. Carry-in only. No gas motors and no wake.

Bryant
Bryant Lake – 177 acres. 15-mph speed limit Sundays from 12–6 PM, Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day.

Carver
Lake Zumbra – 162 acres.
Lake Auburn – 284 acres.
Steiger Lake – 158 acres. Gas motors allowed but no wake.

Cedar Lake Farm, Cedar Lake – 780 acres. Carry-in only.

Cleary, Cleary Lake – 143 acres. No gas motors and no wake.

Eagle, Eagle Lake – 291 acres. Carry-in only.

Fish, Fish Lake – 223 acres. No wake within within 100 feet of shore and swimming areas; watercraft must travel in counterclockwise direction; speed limits vary based on time of day. View details in the full list of surface water regulations.

French, Medicine Lake – 886 acres.

Gale Woods Farm, Whaletail Lake – 558 acres. Carry-in only.

Hyland, Hyland Lake – 84 acres. No gas motors and no wake. 

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Lake Minnetonka – 14,100 acres. Launch opens at 6 AM. 

Lake Rebecca, Lake Rebecca – 254 acres. No gas motors and no wake.

Mississippi Gateway, Mississippi River. Carry-in only.

Murphy-Hanrehan, Murphy Lake – 70 acres. No gas motors and no wake.

Silverwood Park, Silver Lake – 49 acres.

Twin Lake Boat Access – 84 acres. 

Boating Rules

Boat Access and Trailer Parking

There is a maximum number of pre-designated motorized boats, including personal watercraft, allowed on the lake at a time based on the lake size, carrying capacity of boats in the water and individual limitation of the park. The number of trailer parking spaces at each access site is based on this number. Limits also apply to lake-area residents and anyone launching a boat regardless of whether they are parking a trailer. When the limit is reached, boaters must wait until an opening is available. Please inquire at the park for launching and parking procedures.

Boating Restrictions and Aquatic Invasive Species

Some lakes have motor restrictions or speed restrictions designated by the DNR. Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for more information on boat access and restrictions, no-wake zones and detailed lake information. Please help us protect Park District lakes from invasive species like Eurasian water milfoil by reviewing Minnesota aquatic invasive species laws.

a man paddling in a yellow kayak

Watercraft Rentals & Paddling

Canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, rowboats and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at some parks from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. See the full list of places to paddle at Three Rivers.

Small watercraft racks designed to hold canoes, sailboards and kayaks are available to rent, as are a limited number of sailboat slips. Off-season storage is available at French Regional Park.

Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals and pathogens that can thrive in our waterways and cause environmental damage and economic loss. Inspectors patrol lakes within the Park District. Three Rivers also offers decontamination services at the Baker Park Reserve boat access on Lake Independence.

Water Resources

Our Water Resources Management division takes great care to preserve the health of these important resources so guests will be able to enjoy their natural beauty for generations to come.

Related Blog Posts

July 25, 2023

Learn how Three Rivers Park District takes care of precious water resources.

April 13, 2020

Boating is a great way to maintain social distance and breathe in some fresh air. Before you get out on the water, here's a quick refresher on how you can prevent aquatic invasive species from further impacting Minnesota's waterways. 

Other Things To Do

Campground

Camping

Camping tent and fire

Fall asleep to the sound of crickets and wake up with the sunrise. Camping is the stuff memories are made of and at Three Rivers, you’ll find all the fun of camping without the long car trip. Campgrounds are located at Baker, Carver and Cleary Lake

Paddling

Paddling

Three people kayaking on a lake.

Recreate on the water with canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Get exercise and fresh air while you explore the shorelines and bays where motorized boats can’t go. Need a boat? Three Rivers offers canoe, kayak, rowboat, paddleboat and stand-up paddleboard rentals at several parks.

Fishing / Fishing Pier

Fishing

A man and his son fish from the shore of a lake.

Throw a line for your own catch of the day. In Three Rivers, you might reel in muskie, northern pike, sunfish, bass or even walleye.

Swimming

Swimming

two girls swimming

Swimming beaches in Three Rivers are located near play areas, trails, visitor centers and campgrounds, so you can make a day of it. Or try the swim ponds at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park and Elm Creek Park Reserve for the perfect mix of pool and lake.

Sledding

Sledding

girl sledding on her stomach with her arms extended like an airplane

It’s easy to feel like a kid again in Three Rivers, where you'll find some of the best sledding hills in town. Just bundle up and grab a sled for hours of exhilarating fun.

Tubing

Tubing

Children waiting at the top of the tubing hill

If you like sledding, you’ll love snow tubing at the Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek. Ride a moving sidewalk up a hill 10 stories high and then soar back down on a specially designed inner tube. Once you get to the bottom, do it all over again.

Advance reservations are strongly encouraged; please check availability online before coming to the hill. Reservations can be made online or by calling our reservations office at 763-559-6700.