Bde Maka Ska is the best place to paddle board in Minneapolis: it’s the city’s biggest lake, gas motors are banned, and there are board rentals and a canoe launch right on the shore. For the prettiest paddle, link Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles through the narrow, tree-lined channels of the Chain of Lakes, with the downtown skyline behind the water.
Minneapolis works for paddling because the lakes are in the middle of the city. Every lake in the Minneapolis park system bans gas-powered boat motors, so there are no wakes from speedboats, and paths, beaches and parking ring the shores. The season is short, but from late spring to early fall it’s one of the easiest cities in the country to paddle.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Bde Maka Ska or Lake Harriet, renting from Wheel Fun Rentals on the shore.
- Most scenic: the Chain of Lakes channels between Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska, about two hours at an easy pace.
- Quieter and closer to the airport: Lake Nokomis in south Minneapolis.
- A big lake: Lake Minnetonka, from Wayzata Beach or Excelsior, on a calm day.
- Before you go: boards over 10 feet need a Minnesota watercraft license.
The best places to paddle board in Minneapolis
Bde Maka Ska
Directions
Best for: beginners and a full lap with skyline views. Flat water.
Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) is the largest lake in Minneapolis, at 424 acres. It’s ringed by beaches, a path and a pavilion, and the skyline sits to the northeast. Sailboats and canoes share the water, but with no gas motors allowed it’s calm unless the wind picks up.
Where to launch: There’s a dedicated canoe and kayak launch at the north end (2715 W Lake Street), next to North Beach and its parking lot. The park board’s boat launch is on the northeast side. Carrying your board over the shoreline at other access points is fine, but stay out of the roped swim areas.
Rentals and lessons: Wheel Fun Rentals runs a rental stand at Bde Maka Ska with paddle boards, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats. It’s closed for the 2026 season and plans to reopen on May 1, 2027.
Good to know: The north end can get crowded on summer weekends, and parking is tight. Go early in the morning or in the evening.
Lake Harriet
Directions
Best for: relaxed paddling and families. Flat water.
Lake Harriet is a 335-acre lake just south of Bde Maka Ska, with a famous bandshell, two beaches and a walking path. It feels a little quieter and more residential than Bde Maka Ska. Sailboats moor on the lake in summer.
Where to launch: The park board’s boat launch is just east of the Lake Harriet Bandshell, next to the rental stand. You can also carry your board in from the shore elsewhere, away from the swim beaches.
Rentals: Wheel Fun Rentals at Lake Harriet, next to Bandshell Park, rents paddle boards, kayaks, canoes and pedal boats. It plans to reopen on May 22, 2027.
Good to know: Keep clear of the moored sailboats and any boats under sail; they can’t stop quickly.
Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake
Directions
Best for: the most scenic paddle in the city. Flat water with narrow channels.
The Chain of Lakes links Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and little Brownie Lake by channels you can paddle under the parkway bridges. The Kenilworth Channel between Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles is narrow and wooded, and Lake of the Isles has two small wooded islands that are wildlife refuges. A loop through all four lakes takes just under two hours at an easy pace.
Where to launch: Cedar Lake has an easy, shallow launch on its west side at 2100 Cedar Lake Parkway. Lake of the Isles has one at the north end off West Lake of the Isles Parkway. Parking is limited at both, so arrive early.
Good to know: There are no rentals on these two lakes, so rent at Bde Maka Ska and paddle north through the channel, or bring your own board. Watch for bikes and walkers when you carry your board across the paths.
Lake Nokomis
Directions
Best for: a quieter lake in south Minneapolis. Flat water.
Lake Nokomis is a 204-acre lake near the airport, with two swim beaches, sailboat moorings and a path around the shore. It’s a good choice when the Chain of Lakes is packed.
Where to launch: The park board’s boat launch is on the west side of the lake.
Rentals: Wheel Fun Rentals runs a stand next to the pavilion at Main Beach, with paddle boards, kayaks, canoes and swan pedal boats. It plans to reopen on May 15, 2027.
Good to know: Nokomis has had blue-green algae advisories in past summers. The park board posts advisories at the beaches; skip the water if you see a green scum or an advisory sign.
Lake Minnetonka (Wayzata and Excelsior)
Directions
Best for: confident paddlers on calm days. Open lake water with boat wakes.
West of the city, Lake Minnetonka is a huge lake of linked bays and islands, at more than 14,500 acres with 125 miles of shoreline. Unlike the city lakes, it’s full of powerboats in summer, so it’s best early on calm mornings or on weekdays.
Where to launch: Wayzata Beach on Wayzata Bay and the beach at Excelsior are the easiest places to start. Wai Nani suggests paddling along the shore or out to small islands such as Spirit Island and Frog Island.
Rentals: Wai Nani Surf & Paddle rents paddle boards at Wayzata Beach and Excelsior Beach from May to mid-September, Wednesday to Sunday, with hourly, half-day and full-day options.
Good to know: Stay near the shore and cross open bays only when they’re calm. Powerboat wakes can be big enough to knock you off your board, so turn your nose into them.
When to go
Minneapolis lakes are ice-covered in winter, so the paddling season runs from late spring to early fall. Rentals open in May (Bde Maka Ska on May 1, Nokomis on May 15 and Harriet on May 22 for 2027) and wind down in early fall.
- May and June: the water is still cold, especially early on. Dress for a fall.
- July and August: the warmest water and busiest lakes. Check for beach closures after heavy rain, when the park board sometimes closes beaches for high E. coli.
- September: quieter lakes, cooler air and often calm evenings.
- Time of day: mornings and evenings are usually calmest. Wind can make Bde Maka Ska and Minnetonka choppy by afternoon.
We couldn’t find an official water temperature record for these lakes. Use our wetsuit check with the day’s air temperature to decide what to wear in spring and fall, and the Trip time calculator to plan a loop of the Chain of Lakes.
Rules and safety in Minneapolis
Minnesota treats a paddle board as a watercraft. According to the Minnesota DNR:
- License: paddle boards over 10 feet long need a Minnesota watercraft license. You can get one from a deputy registrar or the DNR License Center in St. Paul. Boards 10 feet or shorter are exempt, as are boards from another state that doesn’t license them.
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket for each person. Children under 10 must wear one. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- After sunset: carry a white lantern or flashlight that others can see.
- Invasive species: Minnesota law requires everyone to clean aquatic plants and animals off their board, drain any water and dispose of unwanted bait before leaving a lake, whether or not it’s listed as infested.
Minneapolis park board rules on top of that:
- No gas motors on any Minneapolis city lake. Electric trolling motors are allowed.
- AIS inspections are required from May 1 to December 1 for any craft using the park board’s launches at Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis. Boards carried in over the shoreline at other access points don’t need one.
- Stay out of swim areas marked by buoys at the beaches.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Minneapolis?
Bde Maka Ska or Lake Harriet. Both are calm, have no gas motors and have a rental stand on the shore in season, so you can try a board before you buy one.
Do I need to register my paddle board in Minnesota?
Yes, if it’s over 10 feet long. Most adult paddle boards are longer than that, so plan on getting a watercraft license from the DNR or a deputy registrar.
Can I paddle between the lakes?
Yes. Channels connect Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake. Duck under the bridges, give way to canoes in the narrow spots and allow about two hours for the full loop.
Can I bring my dog?
Rules vary by rental stand: some Wheel Fun locations say no pets, while Lake Harriet advertises pet-friendly rentals, so ask first or bring your own board. Keep your dog off the swim beaches and read how to paddle board with a dog before you go.
Is there anywhere similar nearby?
For another big Midwestern city with lakefront paddling, see where to paddle board in Chicago. Buying a first board for the lakes? Our Board Fitter picks a size based on your weight and how you’ll paddle.
