THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Cedar Lake Park wilderness guide
Regional Park · Minnesota

Cedar Lake Park

Cedar Lake Park is a scenic urban park in Minneapolis offering a combination of lakefront recreation, natural woodlands, and trail access that attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Regional Park1204+ Trails

Designation

Regional Park

Total Wilderness Area

120

Elevation / Terrain

Diverse Wilderness

Field Editorial Guide

About Cedar Lake Park

Cedar Lake Park is a scenic urban park in Minneapolis offering a combination of lakefront recreation, natural woodlands, and trail access that attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage

Cedar Lake Park is located in the western part of Minneapolis, Minnesota, adjacent to Cedar Lake itself, which covers approximately 169 acres. The park features a diverse landscape of open water, shoreline wetlands, mature forested areas, and well-maintained trails. This park provides a peaceful natural escape within the city offering opportunities for swimming, fishing, biking, and birdwatching. The park connects to the popular Midtown Greenway, a designated multi-use urban trail, making it accessible and popular for both local residents and visitors. Historically, the lake and surrounding parklands were part of Minneapolis’s early efforts to conserve natural urban spaces and provide public access to natural resources. The park also serves as an important habitat for migratory birds and native plant species, preserving ecological diversity. Visitors can enjoy picnicking areas, a sandy swimming beach, and canoe or kayak launches. With its mix of water-based and land activities, Cedar Lake Park is a favored destination for families, fitness enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike. The park is maintained by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and remains open year-round, offering seasonal activities like cross-country skiing and ice fishing during winter months.

Field Guide · Regional Park
Adventure Destinations

Notable Destinations Near Cedar Lake Park

Scenic viewpoints, outdoor landmarks, and notable points of interest within 30 miles.

Natural Lakeside Escape at Cedar Lake Point Beach, Minneapolis★ 4.0⌖ 1 miSwimming
Cedar Lake Point Beach

Natural Lakeside Escape at Cedar Lake Point Beach, Minneapolis

Cedar Lake Point Beach in Minneapolis offers a peaceful sandy shoreline with calm waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Easily accessible by car, the area is perfect for quiet lakeside relaxation, cycling the nearby loop trail, and birdwatching in a natural setting close to the city.

Peaceful Waters and Trails at Cedar Lake, Minneapolis★ 6.5⌖ 1 miPaddleboarding
Cedar Lake

Peaceful Waters and Trails at Cedar Lake, Minneapolis

Cedar Lake in Minneapolis offers easy access to calm waters and scenic trails perfect for paddleboarding, biking, and birdwatching. A quiet urban lake with beaches and native plants, it’s ideal for family-friendly outdoor activities in a peaceful setting, best visited late spring to early fall.

PaddleboardingView Details→
Scenic Serenity at Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis★ 6.4⌖ 1 miKayaking
Lake of the Isles

Scenic Serenity at Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis

Explore Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis for easy kayaking, biking, and walking on smooth lake trails. Enjoy calm waters in spring through fall and ice skating festivals in winter. This peaceful urban lake offers accessible outdoor fun with scenic views and local wildlife sightings.

Serene Water Sports & Nature at Lake of the Isles Park, Minneapolis★ 6.8⌖ 2 miPaddleboarding
Lake of the Isles Park

Serene Water Sports & Nature at Lake of the Isles Park, Minneapolis

Lake of the Isles Park in Minneapolis offers an easy and accessible 2.8-mile paved loop great for paddleboarding, biking, and walking. Enjoy peaceful waters, wildlife viewing, and picnic spots in an urban setting. Best visited year-round with busier summer weekends.

PaddleboardingView Details→
Lakefront Escape at Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis★ 7.2⌖ 2 miSailing
Bde Maka Ska

Lakefront Escape at Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis

Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis offers an easy lakeside escape with activities like sailing, windsurfing, fishing, biking, and walking. Accessible by car, it features calm waters and scenic views with trails around the lake. Popular in summer and valued for its natural and cultural significance.

Serene Lakeside Retreat at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis★ 7.2⌖ 4 miBiking
Lake Harriet

Serene Lakeside Retreat at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis

Lake Harriet in Minneapolis offers a 2.8-mile easy biking trail, popular fishing spots, two sandy beaches for swimming, and watercraft rentals. This urban lake provides peaceful nature views and family-friendly outdoor recreation within the city.

Key Wilderness Highlights

✦ Cedar Lake Swimming Beach with sandy shoreline and lifeguard services in summer✦ Connection to the Midtown Greenway Trail, a premier urban biking and walking corridor✦ Rich birdwatching opportunities with sightings of ducks, herons, and songbirds✦ Secluded picnic areas shaded by mature oak and maple trees
Wilderness Recreation

Outdoor Adventures in Cedar Lake Park

Explore curated guides for top outdoor sports, trail networks, and wilderness activities.

Park Recreation

Hiking

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Fishing

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Swimming

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Birdwatching

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Picnicking

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Biking

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Kayaking

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Cross-Country Skiing

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Photography

Available in Cedar Lake Park
Park Recreation

Running

Available in Cedar Lake Park
The Ranger Station

Visitor Logistics & Essential Planning

Everything you need to know about entrance passes, seasons, visitor centers, road transit, and wildlife safety in Cedar Lake Park.

Passes & Fees

Entrance Requirements & Interagency Passes

Free public access; no permits required

Wilderness Checklist

Carry paper topographic map & compass in remote zones.
Store all food and scented items in approved bear canisters.
Check wildfire / smoke advisories before backcountry departure.
Pack out everything you pack in (Leave No Trace).
Adventure Basecamps

Gateway Towns Near Cedar Lake Park

Stay, dine, and gear up in these mountain towns and scenic basecamps surrounding the park.

St. Louis Park
⌖ 2.53 miles
Gateway Basecamp

St. Louis Park, Minnesota

A vibrant suburban town offering diverse outdoor recreation options amid urban amenities and natural green spaces.

Spring through Fall for hiking and paddling; Winter for snow sportsExplore Town
Saint Louis Park
⌖ 2.53 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Saint Louis Park, Minnesota

A vibrant suburban town offering easy access to urban and natural outdoor activities with parks, trails, and close proximity to Minneapolis waterways.

Late Spring through Early Fall, with winter optionsExplore Town
Minneapolis
⌖ 2.59 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Minneapolis, Minnesota

A vibrant urban center with proximity to lakes and park systems, offering diverse outdoor adventures both in and out of the city.

Summer and FallExplore Town
Golden Valley
⌖ 3.12 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Golden Valley, Minnesota

A suburban town with accessible parks, trails, and waterways offering outdoor activities surrounded by the Minneapolis metro area.

Late Spring through Early Fall for hiking and paddling; Winter for cross-country skiingExplore Town
Robbinsdale
⌖ 3.98 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Robbinsdale, Minnesota

A quiet suburban town offering nearby access to urban parks, bike trails, and lake paddling spots in the Minneapolis metro area.

Late Spring through Early FallExplore Town
Edina
⌖ 4.52 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Edina, Minnesota

A suburban town offering convenient access to parks, trails, and lakes, perfect for casual outdoor activities and family-friendly adventures close to Minneapolis.

Late Spring through Early Fall for water and trail activities; Winter for cross-country skiingExplore Town
Expert-Led Wilderness Expeditions

Guided Experiences in Cedar Lake Park

Explore scenic backcountry routes and epic wilderness adventures with certified local mountain guides, naturalists, and outfitters.

12 bookable experiences

Step Inside the Gilded Age: Pillsbury Mansion Tour in MinneapolisMinneapolis, Minnesota · 2.27 mi away
All Adventures· Minneapolis Trolley Tours

Step Inside the Gilded Age: Pillsbury Mansion Tour in Minneapolis

Step inside the Charles S. Pillsbury Mansion on 100 E 22nd St to see finely preserved Gilded Age architecture, original fixtures, and intimate stories of Minneapolis history. This focused, 20-minute guided tour is a compact cultural stop ideal for visitors and locals who want a deeper look at the city's built heritage.

20 minutes

Explore this trip
Witching Hours at the Pillsbury Club: Minneapolis Nighttime Dining & Haunted AtticMinneapolis, Minnesota · 2.58 mi away
All Adventures· Pillsbury Club

Witching Hours at the Pillsbury Club: Minneapolis Nighttime Dining & Haunted Attic

An adults-only, reservation-only supper club inside the historic Pillsbury Mansion—Witching Hours blends vintage dining, handcrafted cocktails, and a tongue-in-cheek haunted attic for a one-hour nighttime experience. Reserve early and expect theatrical service, a $40 minimum, and a compact, high-design evening.

1 hour

Explore this trip

Availability, pricing, meeting details, and fulfillment are provided by the applicable operator or booking partner.