The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is one of the best urban paddling destinations in the United States. Five connected lakes, over 1,500 acres of water, and a ban on gas motors make it a kayaker’s dream right in the middle of a major city. If you’re looking for a place where you can paddle from lake to lake without loading your kayak back on the car, this is it.
I grew up in Minnesota, and the Chain of Lakes was where I first learned that kayaking could be more than just a once-a-summer activity at the cabin. You can paddle here after work. You can paddle here in October when the maples turn red. You can even paddle between lakes through connecting canals, something most urban paddlers never get to experience.
What Is the Chain of Lakes?
The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park includes five lakes in southwest Minneapolis: Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun), Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake. Four of them, Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake, are connected by canals, so you can paddle from one to the next without portaging. Lake Harriet sits slightly apart, connected by trail but not by water, due to a seven-foot elevation difference that would require locks.
The entire system is managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and there is no fee to access the water. The lakes are surrounded by parkland, bike trails, and beaches. The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway loops through the entire chain, making it easy to reach any lake by car, bike, or foot.
The Lakes: What to Expect
Bde Maka Ska
Bde Maka Ska, pronounced “b-day ma-KHA skah,” is the largest lake in the chain at 401 acres. The name means “White Earth Lake” in Dakota, and it became the lake’s official name in 2018 after a decades-long effort to restore the original Indigenous name. It is the busiest lake in the system, popular with sailors, swimmers, and paddlers.
The lake has three beaches, a sailing center, and designated swimming areas marked by buoys. The northeast corner has a boat launch, though the Minneapolis Park Board is working on relocating launch facilities to the northwest corner as part of a long-term master plan. If you are paddling here on a summer weekend, expect company. Sailboats share the water, and the beaches draw crowds. The trade-off is energy. Bde Maka Ska feels alive.
For paddlers, the best feature is the canal connection to Lake of the Isles on the northeast side. You can paddle straight through without lifting your kayak out of the water.
Lake of the Isles
Lake of the Isles is the prettiest lake in the chain, and I will argue that with anyone. It is smaller and quieter than Bde Maka Ska, with wooded islands, marshy edges, and a more secluded feel. Two islands sit in the middle of the lake, both wildlife sanctuaries closed to the public, which means you will see herons, egrets, and ducks in numbers that surprise you for being inside city limits.
The shoreline is lined with some of the most expensive real estate in Minneapolis, but from the water, all you see are trees and the occasional gazebo. The pedestrian trail around the lake is 2.8 miles, and the paddling route feels even more intimate. This is the lake I take friends to when they visit from out of town and I want to show them what Minneapolis paddling is about.
Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is the quietest of the connected lakes. It sits on the northwest side of the chain, connected to Lake of the Isles by a short canal. The lake has three beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere than Bde Maka Ska. It is also the deepest lake in the park system at 88 feet, though most paddlers stay near the shoreline.
The Cedar Lake Trail runs along the west shore and connects to the larger trail network, including the Midtown Greenway. If you want a lake where you can paddle a full loop without fighting sailboat traffic, Cedar Lake is your spot.
Brownie Lake
Brownie Lake is the smallest lake in the chain at just 18 acres. It sits at the northern end, connected to Cedar Lake by a narrow channel. It is the least visited of the five lakes, which makes it a hidden gem for paddlers who want to avoid crowds. The lake is shallow and weedy in spots, but the quiet is worth it.
Lake Harriet
Lake Harriet is not connected to the other lakes by water, but it is worth mentioning because it is the most family-friendly lake in the system. The Bandshell hosts concerts all summer, the rose garden is one of the oldest public rose gardens in the country, and the 2.8-mile trail around the lake is perfect for a post-paddle walk. There is a boat launch on the east side of the lake, and Wheel Fun Rentals operates here if you need to rent a kayak or SUP.
Can You Paddle Between the Lakes?
Yes. The canals connecting Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, and Brownie Lake are the single best feature of the Chain of Lakes for paddlers. You can launch at Bde Maka Ska, paddle through the canal into Lake of the Isles, continue through another canal into Cedar Lake, and finish at Brownie Lake, all without taking your boat out of the water.
The canals are narrow, with tree-lined banks that feel more like a slow-moving creek than a city waterway. Water lilies, cattails, and overhanging willows line the edges. Herons and turtles are common. On a weekday morning, you can paddle the entire connected system and see more wildlife than people.
There are a few things to know. The canals can have current, especially after rain, and there are spots where fallen branches or lily pads can slow you down. The water is generally calm, but you should be comfortable with basic steering and maneuvering. This is not whitewater, but it is also not a swimming pool.
Where to Launch
Each lake in the chain has designated canoe and kayak launches, all free to use.
- Bde Maka Ska: Launch on the northeast side of the lake. Note that this launch area is scheduled for relocation to the northwest corner as part of the park board’s master plan.
- Lake of the Isles: Launch on the southeast side, near the canal connection to Bde Maka Ska.
- Cedar Lake: Launch on the east side, with access from the Cedar Lake Trail.
- Brownie Lake: Small launch area on the south side, near the channel to Cedar Lake.
- Lake Harriet: Launch on the east side, near the Bandshell.
If you do not own a kayak, Wheel Fun Rentals operates at both Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet, offering kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pedal boats by the hour. Seasonal storage racks are also available at each lake if you want to keep your own boat there for the summer.
What Gear You Need
The Chain of Lakes is beginner-friendly, but it is still open water. A proper life jacket is required by Minnesota law and is just good sense. The water in early spring and late fall is cold enough to cause hypothermia quickly, so dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
A dry bag is useful for phones, keys, and a light jacket. The lakes are clean, but splashes happen. If you are paddling the full chain, bring water and snacks. The route from Bde Maka Ska to Brownie Lake and back is a solid half-day trip.
For a recreational kayak that handles well on flat water, something like a Pelican Argo 100X or an inflatable like the Intex Explorer K2 works well here. The water is calm, so you do not need a sea kayak or specialized whitewater boat.
When to Go
The paddling season in Minneapolis runs roughly from May through October, though hardier paddlers extend that into November. Here is what to expect by season.
Spring (May-June): Water is cold, sometimes in the 50s, but the lakes are empty. This is the best time to see migratory birds. Wear a wetsuit or drysuit if you plan to be on the water for more than an hour.
Summer (July-August): Warm water, busy beaches, and sailboat traffic on Bde Maka Ska. Go early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid crowds. The canals are at their greenest and most overgrown.
Fall (September-October): The best paddling season, in my opinion. The maples and oaks around the lakes turn red, orange, and gold. The water is still warm enough for short swims in September. The crowds thin out after Labor Day.
Winter: The lakes freeze. Some people ice fish or skate, but kayaking season is over.
Rules and Safety
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has a few rules worth knowing. Gas motors are banned on all Chain of Lakes waters, which is why paddling here is so pleasant. Electric trolling motors are allowed, but they are rare. Sailboats have right of way on Bde Maka Ska, so keep an eye out and give them space.
Swimming is only allowed in designated beach areas, marked by buoys. Stay clear of these zones when paddling. The canals have no-wake rules, which basically means go slow and do not create waves that erode the banks.
Finally, respect the Dakota history of these lakes. Bde Maka Ska was a sacred site for the Dakota people long before it was renamed Lake Calhoun. The public art installation on the southeast shore, completed in 2019, is worth a stop to learn more about the lake’s Indigenous history.
Final Thoughts
The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is proof that you do not need to drive two hours north to have a real paddling experience. The connected canals, the variety of lake environments, and the complete absence of motorboats make this one of the most unique urban paddling systems in the country. Whether you are a beginner looking for calm water or an experienced paddler who wants to string together a multi-lake route, the Chain of Lakes delivers.
If you are visiting Minneapolis with a kayak on your roof rack, make this your first stop. If you live here and have not paddled the full chain yet, put it on your list. It is the kind of place that makes you grateful Minnesota has so much water, even in the middle of the city.
