Chain of Lakes Twin Cities

Chain of Lakes

Minneapolis’s Chain of Lakes is a series of five lakes spanning southern Minneapolis. The lakes are wrapped in paths, perfect for running, biking, rollerblading, or guiding a stroller.




The five lakes – Cedar Lake, Brownie Lakes, Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun, and Lake Harriet – featuring many enjoyable amenities.

Cedar Lake features a beach, fishing dock, walking path, biking path, and picnic area. Cedar Lake also hosts the popular “hidden beach”, the perfect place to sunbathe, swim, or just watch locals at play. Lake of the Isles features a biking path, fishing dock, ice rink, soccer field, and walking path. Lake Calhoun features archery, biking paths, a picnic area, restroom facilities, a softball field, walking path, three beaches, boat dock, fishing dock, concessions, soccer field, and a sand volleyball court. Lake Calhoun is a popular sailing destination in the cities. It is home to the Calhoun Yacht Club and the St. Thomas Sailing Team, as well as numerous local high school sailing teams. The Calhoun Yacht Club hosts sailing races on the lake often throughout summer months, and also provides sailing lessons for both children and adults through the Lake Calhoun Sailing School. Wheel Fun Rentals provides water rentals on Lake Calhoun. Here you can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboats. Lake Harriet features a bandstand, biking path, garden, concessions, tennis court, walking path, beach, boat dock, picnic area, restroom facilities, and playground. Lake Harriet features a bird sanctuary and beautiful gardens.

Lake Calhoun plays an important role in Minneapolis’s yearly Aquatennial celebration. It hosts many Aquatennial events including: Youth and Adult Sailing Regattas; Wilderness inquiry’s Paddling is For Everyone; XCEL Energy Sandcastle Competition; Antique & Modern Firetrucks; Arts & Crafts Fair at the Beach; Building Blocks for Successful Kids at Aquatennial; Classic Boats Display; Kemps Milk Carton Boat Races; Memorial Blood Center Blood Drive; Second Out Promotions Boxing Skills Exhibition; Star Tribune Beach Bash; Underwater Adventures Shark Tooth; Summer Sounds; and the KPMG Tour de Vail. The Minneapolis Aquatennial is always held on the third week of July – the hottest week of the year!



Comments on Chain of Lakes


libby on May 13, 2008 at 02:25 PM

now that the grass is green and there are leaves on the trees, it's the perfect time to walk around the chain of lakes and enjoy spring!

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