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. Beard’s Plaisance, Lake Harriet Park and William Berry Park each have playgrounds and tot lots where parents can bring their kids to play. These trails and parkways within the Chain of Lakes are part of the bigger Grand Rounds Scenic Byway – great for seeing Minneapolis by Bike. The park contains 5 of the 12 Minneapolis Beaches maintained by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach is included amount our Favorite Twin Cities Beaches & Playgrounds in the Twin Cities. 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. 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.
Related Articles:
8 Chain of Lakes Parks
Playgrounds & Tot Lots within the Chain of Lakes
5 Chain of Lakes Trails and Parkways of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway
5 Beaches Within Chain of Lakes Regional Park Boundaries
Fishing The Chain Lakes
Best Picnic Areas in the Chain of Lakes
Useful Links:
More Fun in the Twin Cities, Minnesota
The Family Fun Twin Cities Directory is the most extensive collection of companies, organizations, activities and places to find things to do with kids in the Twin Cities.
Family Fun Twin Cities is not associated with the companies, municipalities or organizations and cannot book your birthday party, reserve sites or pass on complaints. Please use the contact information we provide.Â
Sharing of information is not an endorsement. We do, however, welcome constructive reviews from readers. Please feel free to leave comments providing helpful tips and information for other parents.