City Beach
Owatonna, Minnesota · on Straight River
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $80
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About City Beach
City Beach is the swimming beach on Lake Kohlmier, a 35-acre lake inside the City of Owatonna's 225-acre Kaplan's Woods Parkway. It is an official, staffed-season municipal beach with sand shoreline, boat/canoe rentals, and adjoining park amenities rather than a backcountry or informal swimming spot.
Lake Kohlmier sits within Kaplan's Woods Parkway, a 225-acre city park dedicated in 1987 on the southwest side of Owatonna, accessed off 18th Street SW/Mosher Avenue. The parkway also contains over 6 miles of hiking/cross-country ski trails and nearly 2 miles of paved, accessible trail, including a paved 2.4-mile out-and-back loop with a bridge crossing part of the lake.
Swimming at City Beach
Swimming takes place at a sand beach on the shore of the 35-acre park lake, alongside a designated boat/canoe launch and fishing docks. The setting is a developed, family-oriented municipal lake beach (with adjacent sand volleyball, playground, and picnic shelter) rather than a river or creek swimming hole; specific depth and water clarity were not documented in sources found.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park/beach is located at 1205 SW 18th Street, Owatonna, MN 55060, reached via 18th Street SW / Mosher Avenue on the southwest edge of town.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the beach itself -- it's a drive-up city park swim area. Separately, Kaplan's Woods Parkway contains its own recreational trail network (6+ miles of hiking/XC-ski trails plus a paved, wheelchair-accessible 2.4-mile out-and-back loop with a bridge crossing part of Lake Kohlmier) for visitors who want to walk further, but none of that is required to access the swim beach.
Short walk from on-site parking area to the sand beach; exact walk time not documented in sources found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sand beach on a small (35-acre) designed municipal lake, which typically means a gentle, gradual entry, but no source confirms lifeguard staffing (the city facility listing does not mention lifeguards at all). Also note: as of July 29, 2026 the city extended a temporary closure of Lake Kohlmier for water-quality testing concerns, so swim status should be checked with the city before a trip (owatonna.gov Civic Alert AID=1508).
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are listed as an on-site amenity on the official Kaplan's Woods Parkway facility page; exact structure type (vault vs. flush) is not specified.
Hours
Park hours are 6:00 AM-11:00 PM daily (City of Owatonna facility listing). Separately, note a currently active operational alert: the City of Owatonna extended a temporary closure of Lake Kohlmier itself (water/beach use) as of July 29, 2026 due to water-quality test results, with no reopening date given as of this research; check owatonna.gov Civic Alerts (AID=1508) or call Parks & Rec (507-444-4321) before visiting.
On the water
The official facility page lists 'boat access/boat ramp' as an on-site amenity, and visitors describe a seasonal on-site concession offering 'aquatic and trail equipment' rentals with required life jackets, but no source names the specific watercraft types (kayak/canoe/paddleboard/motorboat) available for rental or bring-your-own use, nor any motor/no-wake restrictions, so the allowed list is left empty rather than guessed.
Rentals nearby
Lake Kohlmier Rental & Concessions (on-site park concession, Kaplan's Woods Parkway)
Seasonal aquatic equipment rental (type unspecified in sources; life jackets in adult/child/infant sizes included and required with every aquatic rental) plus trail equipment rental (tandem bike, electric assist trike, trail-a-bike)
On-site at Lake Kohlmier Beach, Kaplan's Woods Parkway, 1205 SW 18th Street, Owatonna, MN · Documented operating season May 27 to August 20 (dated reference from 2023; current-year season dates not independently confirmed)
Backstory
Kaplan's Woods Parkway was dedicated September 12, 1987, as a 225-acre city park; Lake Kohlmier is the 35-acre lake within it.
City Beach: FAQ
Does City Beach charge a fee?
Beach/swimming access itself is not listed as fee-based; the city facility page lists pavilion rental fees of $80 for a full-day (9am-9pm) reservation plus a $50 damage deposit.
Is City Beach kid friendly?
Sand beach on a small (35-acre) designed municipal lake, which typically means a gentle, gradual entry, but no source confirms lifeguard staffing (the city facility listing does not mention lifeguards at all). Also note: as of July 29, 2026 the city extended a temporary closure of Lake Kohlmier for water-quality testing concerns, so swim status should be checked with the city before a trip (owatonna.gov Civic Alert AID=1508).
Do I need to hike to reach City Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for City Beach?
No source specifies a parking lot, roadside parking, or capacity. The park is vehicle-accessible off 18th Street SW/Mosher Avenue and has other drive-in amenities (boat ramp, rentable pavilion), which implies some on-site parking exists, but this was not documented directly in any source found, so left unconfirmed.
When is the best time to visit City Beach?
Summer; the documented rental/concession season runs May 27 through August 20.
What are the rules at City Beach?
Park hours are 6:00am-11:00pm daily per the city facility listing. Watercraft rentals operate seasonally (documented as May 27-Aug 20) and life jackets are provided and required for all water rentals.
What water body is City Beach on?
City Beach is on Straight River, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
