Cedar Lake Point Beach

Minneapolis, Minnesota · on Cedar Lake · Cedar Lake Park

Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: Free
SEASON: Best in summer

About Cedar Lake Point Beach

Cedar Lake Point Beach is one of three official, lifeguarded swimming beaches on Cedar Lake in Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes, managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). The swimming hole sits on a small peninsula on the lake's west side with water on three sides and a view toward downtown Minneapolis.

The beach occupies a peninsula (formerly a separate landform called Louise Island until the lake was lowered after 1913) on Cedar Lake's western shore, giving swimmers water views on three sides and sightlines to the downtown Minneapolis skyline. Compared to the lake's other two beaches, Point Beach is described by the local park stewardship group as the least developed, with clay soil and sparse turf rather than manicured lawn, alongside restored woodland trails (Ridge Trail, Perimeter Trail) and small public art installations on the peninsula.

Swimming at Cedar Lake Point Beach

This is a designated, lifeguard-supervised sandy swim beach on a natural city lake, suitable for casual open-water swimming and sunbathing within marked swim areas; MPRB requires adult supervision for children under 8 and prohibits swimming when air temperature is 65F or below. The lake also supports kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing near the beach.

How to get to this swimming hole

The beach is at 2101 Cedar Lake Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55416, on the west/peninsula side of Cedar Lake, reached via Cedar Lake Parkway; the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and Kenilworth Trail also connect to the park for pedestrian/bike access.

Parking: On-site pay parking lot (MPRB standard rates apply).

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up urban beach: the on-site pay parking lot sits adjacent to the beach off Cedar Lake Parkway, so no hike is needed to reach the swimming area. A short interior loop (the 'Ridge Trail,' climbing to the peninsula's high point) and a perimeter dirt path exist for visitors who want to explore the peninsula beyond the sand, but neither is required to access the water.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Designated, lifeguard-supervised sandy swim beach with marked swim areas, which supports families, but MPRB explicitly requires an adult to accompany children under 8 in the water at all times and requires swim diapers for infants/toddlers. Water depth near shore is not published by any source found, and Point Beach is described by the local park association as 'the least improved' of the lake's three beaches (clay soil/sparse turf rather than a manicured, gently sloped lawn beach), so care around footing and unmarked drop-offs is warranted.

Parking

Paid

On-site pay parking lot at Point Beach; MPRB pay parking is enforced daily including holidays via the MPLSParking or Flowbird apps, but the specific per-hour/day rate for this lot could not be confirmed from official pages found.

Hours

Beach open 6am-10pm daily. Lifeguards on duty June 13-August 23 daily 1pm-7pm, with reduced hours (weekdays 4-7pm, weekends/Labor Day 1pm-7pm) through September 7.

Swim smart

Periodic E. coli bacteria advisories and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms can close the beach to swimming; MPCA/MPRB advise against swimming after heavy rain; cold air temperatures (65F or below) prohibit water entry per posted rules. State fish consumption advisories note mercury and PFOS contamination affecting some species caught in the lake, though this concerns fishing rather than swimming.

Rules: Swim only within marked areas; children under 8 must have an adult in the water with them; no glass containers or smoking on the beach; no inflatable air mattresses or inner tubes except by permit; no dogs or domestic animals; infants/toddlers must wear swim diapers; do not enter the water when air temperature is 65F or colder. MPRB monitors weekly for E. coli and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and posts advisories/closures when state guidelines are exceeded; swimming is not recommended after heavy rainfall.

This is an informational listing, not an invitation. Conditions and access change; verify locally before you go. Visiting any swimming hole is at your own risk. See our Terms of Use.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboards

MPRB's official Point Beach page confirms kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are permitted on Cedar Lake, with canoe/kayak lessons and clubs based at this location; the Cedar Lake Park Association describes Point Beach as 'one of the lake's most active water hubs' where youth programs regularly launch kayaks and take paddleboard classes. MPRB also lists a separate canoe launch and storage rack at the lake's northwest corner. Could not confirm motorboat/motor rules (electric-only, no-wake, horsepower limits) for Cedar Lake within this session's search budget.

Backstory

The peninsula the beach sits on was once a separate landform (Louise Island) until lake levels were lowered after 1913, joining it to the mainland. Cedar Lake itself is named for red cedar trees that once grew on its shores; the park board pursued acquisition of the lake's shoreline starting in the 1880s but didn't complete it until 1959.

Cedar Lake Point Beach: FAQ

Does Cedar Lake Point Beach charge a fee?

No fee to swim or use the beach; the on-site parking lot is pay parking.

Is Cedar Lake Point Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Cedar Lake Point Beach?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Cedar Lake Point Beach?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Cedar Lake Point Beach?

When is the best time to visit Cedar Lake Point Beach?

Lifeguards are on duty June 13 - August 23 daily 1pm-7pm, with reduced post-season hours (weekdays 4-7pm, weekends/Labor Day 1-7pm) through September 7, indicating a summer swim season; the beach itself is open 6am-10pm daily.

What are the rules at Cedar Lake Point Beach?

Swim only within marked areas; children under 8 must have an adult in the water with them; no glass containers or smoking on the beach; no inflatable air mattresses or inner tubes except by permit; no dogs or domestic animals; infants/toddlers must wear swim diapers; do not enter the water when air temperature is 65F or colder. MPRB monitors weekly for E. coli and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and posts advisories/closures when state guidelines are exceeded; swimming is not recommended after heavy rainfall.

What water body is Cedar Lake Point Beach on?

Cedar Lake Point Beach is on Cedar Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.

Conditions right now

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Managed by

Cedar Lake Park

Official site · Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

At a glance

Land access: Open to the public
Facilities: sandy beach; drinking fountain; pay parking lot; walking/biking path; picnic area (park-wide); fishing pier (park-wide, at W 22nd St)
Highlights: Peninsula setting with water on three sides and downtown Minneapolis skyline views; Ridge Trail climbing to the peninsula's high point; Small public art installations (Gateway Spiral made from cut buckthorn, solstice-aligned Winter Weave Wall); One of three named swimming beaches on the same lake (East, Point, South)
Nearby towns: Calhoun Beach (0.9mi); Kenwood Gables (2.2mi); Saint Louis Park (2.4mi); Glenwood Junction (2.5mi)
Coordinates: 44.9605, -93.3227