The Chain of Lakes Regional Park consists of the shorelines of Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Lake Harriet, including the trails connecting them and Lyndale Park. It is a district of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. The combined draw of all these smaller parks makes the regional park the most popular destination in the Minneapolis park system and, according to explore Minnesota in a 2021 press release, the second most popular tourist destination in Minnesota. Only the Mall of America draws more tourists.
Between the five lakes, there is over 1000 acres of water and miles of shoreline where visitors can participate in boating, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, canoeing and kayaking in the warmer months and ice fishing in the winter. All of these parks offer Bike Trails and Walking Paths.
Related Articles:
- The Best Minneapolis Bike Trails for Families
- Bde Maka Ska Park and Beaches, Minneapolis
- Lake Harriet Park, Minneapolis
- Lyndale Park Gardens, Minneapolis
- 10 Places for the Perfect Picnic in Minneapolis
8 Chain of Lakes Parks
- Beard’s Plaisance
- Brownie Lake Park
- Cedar Lake Park
- Bde Maka Ska Park
- Lake Harriet Park
- Lake of the Isles Park
- Lyndale Park
- William Berry Park
Playgrounds & Tot Lots within the Chain of Lakes
Beard’s Plaisance, Lake Harriet Park and William Berry Park each have playgrounds and tot lots where parents can bring their kids to play.
5 Chain of Lakes Trails and Parkways of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
These trails and parkways within the Chain of Lakes are part of the bigger Grand Rounds Scenic Byway – great for seeing Minneapolis by Bike.
- Cedar Lake Regional Trail
- Dean Parkway
- Bde Maka Ska Parkway
- Lake Harriet Parkway
- William Berry Parkway
5 Beaches Within Chain of Lakes Regional Park Boundaries
The park contains 5 of the 12 Minneapolis Beaches maintained by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.
- Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach
- Bde Maka Ska North Beach
- Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach
- Lake Harriet North Beach
- Lake Harriet Southeast Beach
Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach is included amount our Favorite Twin Cities Beaches & Playgrounds in the Twin Cities.
Fishing The Chain Lakes
According to the Minnesota DNR, fish species within the five lakes include: Bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), bullhead, common carp, crappie, fathead minnow, golden shiner, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, sunfish, tiger muskie, walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch. Fishing Docks can be found at Bde Maka Ska Park, Cedar Lake Park and Lake Harriet Park.
The DNR includes most of these lakes in its FiN (Fishing in the Neighborhood) listing because they are good urban locations for children and beginner anglers.
Best Picnic Areas in the Chain of Lakes
While all of the parks in the Chain of Lakes make beautiful picnic spots, Anne particularly recommends Lake Harriet Park – especially if you can combine it with a live music concert or summer movie night. There is also a playground and a beach nearby and you could even catch a ride on the Como-Harriet Streetcar. Don’t want to pack a lunch? Grab something at the Bread & Pickle Restaurant near the bandshell.
Useful Links:
- Register for Activities and Events through Minneapolis Parks
- Minnesota DNR Fishing Pages: Bde Maka Ska (419.41 acres) Brownie Lake (10.25 acres), Cedar Lake (163.79 acres), Lake Harriet (341.22 acres) Lake of the Isles (111.76 acres)
- Print a FiN Guide from the DNR
- Wheel Fun Rentals for Paddle Boarding, Kayaking Canoeing, Biking & More in the Chain of Lakes
- MPRB Rentals & Permits