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Silver Lake Park is Columbia Heights only beach, but right next door is Silverwood Park – which is in St. Anthony and managed by Three Rivers Park District. Go a little bit north and you’ll be in New Brighton and a little bit south and you’ll be in Minneapolis. This little tucked-away beach is a hidden gem and local favorite. We’ve always loved this beach because we could find a shady space in the sand. Recent updates have reduced the shade, but you can still find some if you get there early and move with the sun.

There is usually plenty of parking and seasonal restroom facilities onsite, plus more of both at nearby Silverwood Park. The two parks are connected by walking paths through the trees.

5 Ideas for Family Fun at Silver Lake Park and Beach

1. Swim and play on the beach. The beach is the main reason to come to this park. There is no lifeguard on duty, so come as a family, play as a family and swim as a family.
2. Let the kids run around on the playground. The playground is small and standard and the floor is wood chips, but the kids love it and adults can see it from both the beach and the picnic shelter. Even if you have multiple kids in different areas of the park, you can comfortably watch them all.
3. Hike over to Silverwood Park on the walking trail, where you will find a coffee shop with clean indoor bathrooms, an art trail and rentable canoes among other fun.
4. Bring a picnic. There is a shaded shelter with a grill and plenty of places to spread a blanket. Silver Lake Village Shopping Center is nearby. It has a Cub  Foods with a good deli, and restaurants where you could grab food to go.
5. Play a game of sand volleyball. You’ll need to bring your own ball, but there is a sand pit just off the beach.

The Downsides of Silver Lake Beach

1. While this remains a family favorite, there are years when the goose feces is so thick digging in the sand or walking barefoot is just gross. I’ve had no response from the City of Columbia Heights when I’ve emailed about this issue. Although, I’m not sure what they can do to remedy the situation. (At those times, we pack up and head to Tony Schmidt Regional Park and Lake Johanna Beach. Just 12 minutes away in Arden Hills, it is a more crowded beach, but it is clean and guarded.)
2. The other obvious downside is that this is an unguarded beach. This isn’t a huge problem if you are going as a family and watching your own children because it is rarely crowded and it is pretty easy to keep track of multiple children. However, with my kids aging into the teens, and this being the closest beach to my home, I’m admittedly a little uncomfortable letting my teen go by herself to workout.
3. Finally, neighbors bring their dogs to this beach to play. This does not bother me (see the goose issue), but if you find swimming in the same water as dogs unsanitary, than you aren’t going to like this beach. On the other hand, if you are looking for a beach where your dog is welcome, this is the beach for you!

Birthday Parties

The picnic shelter is available to rent for private events like birthday parties. Rates are quite reasonable. Find current rates and rules here.