Consider this your jumping off point for all things water-recreation related in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro! We detail the spaces and places to swim and splash the summer away in the following communities: Arden Hills, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Columbus, Fridley, Lino Lakes, Little Canada, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North St Paul, Roseville, Shoreview, St Anthony Village, Taylors Falls & White Bear Lake.
For a complete listing of Minneapolis-St Paul area swimming options please visit SPLASH HAPPY: GUIDE TO TWIN CITIES WATERPARKS, POOLS, BEACHES & SPLASH PADS.
Twin Cities NorthEAST Metro BEACHES
The Northeast Metro is a serious contender for the title of most superior region to swim in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. Several of its parks and lakes help make up our list of the BEST BEACHES IN THE TWIN CITIES. Read on for some summer inspiration for your next playdate, picnic or cool-down place. Important to note: Ramsey County beaches are admission-free to enjoy; we list where Anoka County parks beaches levy a $7 vehicle permit.
ArDEN HILLS TONY SCHMIDT REGIONAL PARK
3500 Lake Johanna Blvd, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Lake Johanna beach is an ideal spot for the youngest beach babes; head over on a weekday morning and find the place populated with parents, their toddlers and preschoolers. We love this beach for its clean, soft sand and playground so close to the shoreline.
BLAINE Lakeside Commons Park
3020 Lakes Pkwy, Blaine, MN 55449
The park includes a public beach, splash pad, playground, and water rentals. Open late May – late August, 10am-8pm. $10/non-res, Blaine residents free.
columbus coon lake county park
5450 197th Avenue NE Columbus, MN 55092
The swimming beach is situated on the northeastern corner of Coon Lake. Its shallow, sandy bottom extends a nice stretch from the shore. $7 vehicle fee to enter Anoka County parks.
lino lakes rice creek chain of lakes park reserve
7373 Main St, Centerville, MN 55038
The address given is that of the Rice Creek Campground visitor center as the beach Centerville Lake can be a little tricky to find. It’s a rewarding find, though, as we rate this beach one of the best in the Twin Cities, with a playground, bike trail and wonderful nature center nearby. $7/vehicle fee required.
little canada Lake Gervais County park
2420 Edgerton Street, Little Canada, MN 55117
Family-friendly amenities include an unguarded beach, a picnic area and a playground. Visitors can fish from the pier or the shoreline; please swim only in designated areas.
new brighton long lake regional park
1500 Old Highway 8, New Brighton, MN 55112
This large park contains a very popular swimming beach with a wide swath of sand and generous shallow area. Multiple playgrounds, bike trails, picnic pavilions and organized recreation make this a highly-used summer destination.
NORTH ST PAUL Silver Lake Beach
2601 19th Ave, St Paul, MN 55109
The quiet park contains a large expanse of sandy beach and the swimming boundaries are relatively small.
ROSEVILLE Lake josephine County park
3027 North Lexington Ave, Roseville, MN 55113
The sandy area of this beach is rather small. However, there are some shady spaces where families could camp out close to the sand. There are also strategic spots where a parent could watch both the beach and the playground.
roseville lake mccarrons county park
1845 Rice Ave, Roseville, MN, 55113
There is a sand-play area for toddlers and a nearby playground at this Ramsey County swimming beach.
shoreview lake owasso county park
370 Owasso Blvd N, Shoreview, MN, 55126
This free, Ramsey County beach is small and unguarded but clean and has a few picnic tables. Across the street is a little nature play area.
SHOREVIEW TURTLE LAKE COUNTY PARK
4979 Hodgson Rd, Shoreview, MN 55126
This is one of a handful of Ramsey County parks that offer unguarded swimming beaches.
SHOREVIEW Vadnais-Snail lakes Regional Park
4191 Snail Lake Boulevard, Shoreview, MN 55126
This beach is another in the lineup of free Ramsey County swimming spots. Our one complaint here is that the sand is not a particularly easy walk from the parking lot, especially if you are toting beach gear and young children.
white bear lake county park
5050 Lake Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
You won’t find a stick of shade here, but the beach is pleasant, there is a play structure, shelter building and as a Ramsey County beach, there is no fee to park in the lot.
Twin Cities NorthEAST Metro WATERPARKS
Punch up the water play a little with a pair of waterparks in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro. For our full list complete with details, please visit our regional Twin Cities water recreation pages.
maplewood battle creek waterpark
2401 Upper Afton Rd E, Maplewood, MN 55119
The waterpark is newly renovated and back open for business! Geared toward families with children 10 and under, the shallow pool has an interactive water play equipment and there’s a separate activity pool with lily pad walk and swim area. For the grade school kids, there is a three story twisting waterslide with plunge area. When the kids need a break from the water, there is a sand play area. $7-$9/person.
taylors falls Wild Mountain Resort Waterpark
37200 Wild Mountain Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084
Wild Adventure Island Waterpark offers fun for both thrill-seekers and those seeking lazy fun in the sun, with interactive water feature including water cannons, jets, slides and a 350-gallon dumping bucket as well as a lazy river. Wet and dry rides available. Day passes can include one or both. If you plan to visit more than once in a season, than a season pass will save you money after your second visit.
Twin Cities NorthEAST Metro splash pads & WADing pools
These are simple splash spots to cool of this summer in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro. For our full listing, please visit our BEST TWIN CITIES SPLASH PADS & WADING POOLS page. All pads are free of charge to chill in unless noted.
blaine Lakeside commons Park
3020 Lake Dr NE, Blaine, MN 55449
Family-friendly amenities include a beach and a splash pad, a playground, and space to picnic. This park does require parking permits, but they are free for Blaine residents with proof of residency. Non-residents pay $10 per day or can purchase a season pass for $30.
columbia heights huset park
3965 Jefferson St NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
The popular, extra colorful Huset Park splash pad usually opens the first day of public school summer vacation. There’s also a reservable picnic shelter and a walking trail that loops around a small pond.
Columbia Heights Mckenna park & RAMSDELL PARK
4757 7th Street NE, Columbia Heights MN
4956 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55421
These parks contains small, shallow wading pools that are free to use during the summer.
FRIDLEY COMMONS PARK
555 61st Avenue Northeast, Fridley, MN 55432
The park boasts a new splash pad for your summer cool-down needs. Find it alongside a new inclusive playground.
LITTLE CANADA Pioneer Park
2950 Centerville Rd, Little Canada, MN 55117
Brand-splashin’ new and ready for play this summer, the landscaped splash pad is accompanied by a terrific new playground.
MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL PARK
2401 County Hwy 10, Mounds View, MN 55112
The splash pad right under the city water tower is open 10am to 7:30pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
St anthony village Emerald park
3925 MacAlaster Drive NE, St Anthony, MN 55421
With a vibrant splash pad that operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Emerald Park is a great place to take the kids on a hot summer day. You’ll find jumping fountains and dump buckets, an impressive number of picnic tables (including 4 in a pavilion), plenty of shaded benches, grassy lawns and clean bathrooms.
st anthony village central park
3503 Silver Lake Road NE, Saint Anthony Village, MN 55418
Although you cannot see either from the street, this park has a good sized playground and a splash pad. The splash pad is a large concrete area with a tall sprinkler in the center.
