Lake of the Isles
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Lake of the Isles

4.8
·135 reviews·Minneapolis, United States

A tranquil urban lake in Minneapolis, perfect for kayaking, biking, ice skating, and enjoying scenic trails year-round.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer mornings

Ideal for kayaking and biking

CrowdMedium
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Lake of the Isles

Lake of the Isles

Best Time

Summer mornings

Ideal for kayaking and biking

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A tranquil urban lake in Minneapolis, perfect for kayaking, biking, ice skating, and enjoying scenic trails year-round.

4.8
(135 reviews)

"Hard to beat the cozy energy at Lake of the Isles in the heart of a city with several fabulous lakes."

Vertical photo
TIP

Kayak the Connected Lakes

Rent a kayak to explore the Chain of Lakes! 🛶 Save this for your Minneapolis adventure.

Winter Luminary Loppet

Don't miss the magical Luminary Loppet for glowing ice and music! ✨ A must-see winter event.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.8 · 135 reviews

Type

Natural Feature

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Chain of Lakes Kayak Adventure

Chain of Lakes Kayak Adventure

Connecting Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake

Paddle through four interconnected lakes for a unique urban water adventure. Kayak rentals are readily available.

Luminary Loppet Magic

Luminary Loppet Magic

Lake of the Isles

Experience a winter wonderland with glowing ice formations and live music during this magical night event.

Autumn Colors & Photography

Autumn Colors & Photography

Lake of the Isles Parkway

Capture stunning fall foliage and create lasting memories with loved ones amidst vibrant seasonal hues.

The Loti Pencil Sculpture

The Loti Pencil Sculpture

2217 Lake of the Isles Pkwy E

Discover this unique public art installation, a quirky landmark for photos and a point of interest.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Seasons

Lake of the Isles transforms year-round. Summer offers kayaking and biking, while winter brings ice skating and the magical Luminary Loppet. Check local event schedules for unique seasonal experiences.

Navigating the Chain of Lakes

Lake of the Isles is part of a beautiful chain. Consider renting a kayak to explore connected lakes like Bde Maka Ska and Cedar Lake, but be aware of swimming beach access, which is not directly on Lake of the Isles.

Best Times

When
Summer mornings
Why
Ideal for kayaking and biking
Crowd
Medium
When
Mid-October
Why
Spectacular fall colors
Crowd
Medium
When
Winter evenings (Luminary Loppet)
Why
Magical glowing ice
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Would you enjoy a tranquil trip to this wee island? 😍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 📌 Isle of Muck, The Small Isles #scotlandtiktok #carfree #scottishislands #thesmallisles
@thechaoticscot
68.6K likes • 504.4K views

Kayak the Connected Lakes

Rent a kayak to explore the Chain of Lakes! 🛶 Save this for your Minneapolis adventure. Instagram

Winter Luminary Loppet

Don't miss the magical Luminary Loppet for glowing ice and music! ✨ A must-see winter event. Instagram

Top tip from a local if you’re ever planning on visiting the Isle of Skye in Scotland 🩵 #isleofskye #Scotland #visitscotland #fairypools #toptips #recommendations #sustainabletourism
@niamhmackinnon
32K likes • 287.9K views
One of the most unique ways to explore downtown Minneapolis is by kayak! 🛶 Explore 4 connected lakes (Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar & Brownie) on the Chain of Lakes Route! Do a half day kayak rental from @wfrminnesota for $40 & enjoy a day on the water! Then head to @pimentokitchen to for a waterfront meal after! Save this reel to add to your Minneapolis summer bucket list! ☀️ #chain...
theroamingrn
26 likes • 602 views

Capture Fall Foliage

Visit mid-October for breathtaking fall colors and amazing photo opportunities. 📷 Reddit

Find the Loti Pencil

Seek out the quirky Loti Pencil sculpture for a unique photo op! 🎨 Instagram

Have you been to the Luminary Loppet on Lake of the Isles? Such a beautiful winter event with glowing ice formations, live music, local beer from @surlybrewing and tons of people cross-country skiing! Follow @expeditionkristen for more Minnesota travel ideas! @loppetfoundation @meetminneapolis #loppetwinterfestival #luminaryloppet #twincities #onlyinmn #exploremn #mytruenorth #minneapolis #midwe...
expeditionkristen
324 likes • 6.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Kayak the Connected Lakes

Rent a kayak to explore the Chain of Lakes! 🛶 Save this for your Minneapolis adventure. Instagram

Winter Luminary Loppet

Don't miss the magical Luminary Loppet for glowing ice and music! ✨ A must-see winter event. Instagram

Capture Fall Foliage

Visit mid-October for breathtaking fall colors and amazing photo opportunities. 📷 Reddit

Find the Loti Pencil

Seek out the quirky Loti Pencil sculpture for a unique photo op! 🎨 Instagram

Dog-Friendly Park

Bring your furry friends to the dedicated dog park for some off-leash fun. 🐕 Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.8
(135 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about Lake of the Isles for its serene atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and extensive trail system, making it a beloved urban oasis. While it lacks direct swimming access, its connectivity to other lakes and year-round activities like ice skating and the Luminary Loppet make it a highly recommended destination.

"I love this lake, it’s the most secluded of the 3 lakes. There are no swimming beaches on it, however. So, if you don’t want to go to a Bde Maka Ska, paddle through Isles, then the Cedar Lake Canal, and a few great beaches await."

Stephen - Wigg

"Very nice bike paths. Go check it out. Most people are nice."

Najam Qureshi

"Perfect fall colors were seen when we last visited around mid October. Had some amazing time clicking pictures with loved ones. Will definitely visit again next year during fall."

Tarun Shetty

What People Like

Secluded urban lake
Beautiful walking/biking paths
Winter ice skating

What People Dislike

No swimming beaches

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Lake of the Isles is easily accessible by car, with parking available along the parkways. Public transportation options are also available, with several bus routes serving the area. For a scenic approach, consider biking or walking from nearby neighborhoods. Reddit

Yes, ample parking is available along the Lake of the Isles Parkway, offering convenient access to the lake and its amenities. Reddit

Absolutely! Lake of the Isles is part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, featuring well-maintained paved paths perfect for cycling. Instagram

Several Metro Transit bus routes serve the vicinity of Lake of the Isles, making it accessible without a car. Check the Metro Transit website for specific route information. Reddit

Yes, Lake of the Isles is a prominent feature on any map of Minneapolis, often shown as part of the larger Chain of Lakes system. You can easily find a 'map of Lake of the Isles' online. [^SEO]

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Lake of the Isles is a public park and there is no entrance fee to access the lake, trails, or general park areas. Reddit

Lake of the Isles park is open year-round from 6 AM to 10 PM. Specific facilities like the ice skating warming house have seasonal hours. Reddit

Generally, no permit is required for personal kayaks on Lake of the Isles. Rental services are also available. Instagram

While general park access is free, special events like the Luminary Loppet may have associated costs or require registration. Check event-specific details. Instagram

Yes, fishing is permitted at Lake of the Isles from the designated fishing pier. A valid Minnesota fishing license is required. Reddit

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

Enjoy walking, biking, kayaking, ice skating in winter, and visiting the dog park. The park offers beautiful scenery for relaxation and recreation. InstagramReddit

There are no designated swimming beaches directly on Lake of the Isles. However, you can paddle through to Bde Maka Ska or Cedar Lake for beach access. Reddit

The Luminary Loppet is a magical winter festival on Lake of the Isles featuring glowing ice formations, live music, and cross-country skiing. Instagram

Yes, paved walking and biking paths circle Lake of the Isles, offering scenic routes for exercise and exploration. Reddit

The Loti Pencil sculpture is located at 2217 Lake of the Isles Parkway East. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The parkways offer stunning views, especially during fall foliage. The Loti Pencil sculpture is also a unique photo subject. InstagramReddit

Golden hour (shortly after sunrise and before sunset) provides beautiful lighting. Mid-October is ideal for capturing vibrant fall colors. Reddit

Drone usage in Minneapolis parks is subject to specific regulations. It's best to check the Minneapolis Parks Foundation website for current drone policies. Reddit

Lake of the Isles is perfect for landscape, nature, and portrait photography, especially during seasonal events like the Luminary Loppet or fall. InstagramReddit

While you can photograph the exterior of houses from public areas, be mindful of privacy. The 'houses for sale Lake of the Isles' searches indicate interest in the area's real estate. [^SEO]

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