Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park is nestled on the shores of scenic Lake Minnetonka. A perfect spot for a family outing, the park offers a large, nautical-themed play area and a chlorinated, sandy-bottom swimming pond. You'll also find picnic spots, a three-hole disc golf practice area, a fishing pier, biking and hiking trails and a boat launch and access point.
6 AM–10 PM
Interactive Map of Lake Minnetonka Regional Park
Lake Minnetonka PDF Maps
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Historic Schmid Farmhouse
The historic Schmid Farmhouse ruins located in Lake Minnetonka Regional Park have been permanently stabilized and are now open as a self-guided interpretive feature of the park.
The project included structurally stabilizing the remaining walls with metal beams, mortar repair of loose fieldstone walls, site accessibility improvements and installation of an interpretive sign. The preservation of the historic Joseph Schmid Farmhouse ruins (c. 1876) was made possible by a generous gift from Joseph Schmid's great-grandson, Douglas Florian Schmid.
Things To Do
Biking
3.2 miles of trails
Get rolling on the three miles of paved trail that connects separate areas of the park, and provides connections to community trails.
Boating
14,100 acres of water
The park provides one of the very few public boat launches onto the lake - a boat trailer parking pass is required. Parking for 55 vehicles with boat trailers is provided at the top of the hill that leads to the launch. Facilities at the launch ramp include a boathouse/toilet building and a pier for boat access.
Disc Golf
Three holes
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park has a three-hole disc golf practice area near the picnic and play areas. A disc golf pass is not required.
Dog Trails
3.2 miles of trails
Dogs on a six-foot non-retractable leash are allowed on all paved and turf trails except where posted otherwise. Owners must pick-up after their dogs.
Fishing
14,100 acres of water
Lake Minnetonka Regional Park provides one of very few public accesses to the lake. At the boat launch there is an accessible fishing pier, shore fishing and a boathouse/toilet building. Limited parking is available near by.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure. This activity involves placing or looking for a cache using global positioning system (GPS) equipment. Equipment not provided.
Hiking
3.5 miles of trails
Stretch those legs and take a walk at your own pace. Paved trail connect separate areas of the park, and provide connections to community trails. In the winter, there is nearly one mile of plowed trail for walking.
Paddling
14,100 acres of water
Get out and explore the many bays of the big water. The park provides one of very few public boat launches onto the lake. Parking for 55 vehicles with boat trailers is provided at the top of the hill that leads to the launch. A boat trailer daily or annual pass is required. Facilities at the launch ramp include a boathouse/toilet building and a pier for boat access.
Picnic Areas
Tables and grills are located throughout the park and are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also a reservable picnic shelter for your special event.
Play Areas
Closed for the season
The 20,000-square-foot, multi-level, nautically themed play area includes a cargo hold, climbing nets, structures and numerous slides. It is accessible to children of all ages and abilities.
Snowmobiling
A one mile trail through the park connects the shore of Lake Minnetonka with the Grants-in-Aid snowmobile trail along Highway 7.
Swimming
Open
The swim pond has a maximum depth of six feet and is completely surrounded by sand. The filtered and chlorinated water comes from the lake. Changing rooms and a concession stand serve beach-goers, and umbrellas provide respite from the sun. A daily or season pass is required for the swim pond.
Swimming Lessons
Three Rivers offers four levels of swimming lessons at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park from an introduction to water skills to swimming for fitness. Students and their family members receive $3 off season swim pond wristbands.
Rental Spaces
Looking for a unique setting for your next meeting? The rental facility offers rooms that can be rented for meetings and other events. Lake Minnetonka's picnic area can also be reserved to take your event outside.
Swimming Lessons
Learn to swim at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park!
Public swimming lesson registration opens February 28.
All instructors are lifeguards certified through the American Red Cross to teach swimming lessons. Four levels are available for ages 3 and up:
- Preschool Swimmers
- Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills
- Level 2: Fundamentals of Aquatic Skills
- Level 3: Stroke Development
Students and their family members receive a $3 discount on season swim pond wristbands.
Lake Minnetonka Islands
Three Rivers Park District owns parkland on three islands on Lake Minnetonka: Wild Goose Chase Island, Wawatasso Island and a portion of Big Island. All of these areas are undeveloped and do not have drinking water or toilets available. Picnicking and fishing are allowed. Camping or overnight use is not permitted on any of the islands. The Park District does not provide transportation to or from the islands.
Wawatasso Island
Wawatasso Island is located on Lake Minnetonka south of Enchanted Island and north of Smithtown Bay. It consists of about 34 acres and has long been a favorite beaching spot for boaters, and there are informal hiking trails.
Wild Goose Chase Island
This island, also known as Goose Island, is located just outside Spring Park Bay. The island is three acres in size.
Big Island
The Park District owns a portion of Big Island, which is a protected area known as the Arthur Allen Wildlife Sanctuary with no facilities for the public. The remainder of the island, including the Big Island Veterans Camp, is not part of Three Rivers Park District.
Rules
Park District rules are posted on Wawatasso Island and Wild Goose Chase Island:
- Use designated sites only.
- Site use on first-come, first-served basis.
- No overnight use.
- Campfires in fire rings only.
- Users must bring their own certified firewood.
- Collecting of wood prohibited.
- Grills are allowed.
- No motor vehicles.
- Pack out trash.
Three Rivers Park District Public Safety officers work in coordination with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol to provide an enforcement presence on the islands. Overnight campers will be ticketed.
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