Crescent Beach
Excelsior, Minnesota · on Lake Minnetonka · Crescent Beach
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is a public, city-managed swimming hole on Lake Minnetonka at the border of Tonka Bay and Shorewood, Minnesota, near Excelsior. It is jointly owned and operated by the two cities, with a sandy shoreline for swimming and a kayak/canoe launch.
The beach sits on a residential stretch of Lake Minnetonka's shoreline at the intersection of Birch Bluff Road and Pleasant Street, a quiet suburban lake community setting rather than a wilderness site.
Swimming at Crescent Beach
A sandy, lifeguard-supervised (in summer) lake beach intended for general public swimming, suited to families and casual swimmers rather than adventure seekers; Hennepin County performs weekly bacteria/water-quality testing during the summer season.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 240 Birch Bluff Road, at the intersection of Birch Bluff Road and Pleasant Street, in Tonka Bay near Excelsior, MN, on Lake Minnetonka.
The hike in
This is a drive-up/walk-up public beach at 240 Birch Bluff Road (Birch Bluff Rd & Pleasant St); no trail or hike is required to reach the water.
Whatever parking exists is directly adjacent to the beach at the road intersection, so the walk from car to sand is at most a minute or two.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy, gently-sloped lake beach designed for general public swimming and staffed by lifeguards in summer, which suits young kids well in principle. However, lifeguard coverage is not guaranteed every season (City of Tonka Bay posted a 2022 notice of no lifeguards due to staffing shortages) and the beach has had water-quality-related closures (e.g., June 2026), so caregivers should verify current lifeguard status and Hennepin County beach status before swimming with kids.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
No site-specific clarity data or visitor reports for Crescent Beach itself were found. Lake-wide, Lake Minnetonka has a documented history of nutrient/runoff pollution and periodic E. coli-driven beach closures (per Wikipedia's summary of the lake, and per Crescent Beach's own June 2026 closure noted in the prior dossier), suggesting clarity/quality can vary by season and rainfall rather than being consistently clear.
On the water
Both the City of Tonka Bay and City of Shorewood official facility pages confirm a kayak/canoe launch at this beach. Neither page mentions paddleboards, motorboats, or jet skis, nor any specific rules (electric-only, no-wake, carry-in only) for this particular access point.
Crescent Beach: FAQ
Is Crescent Beach kid friendly?
Sandy, gently-sloped lake beach designed for general public swimming and staffed by lifeguards in summer, which suits young kids well in principle. However, lifeguard coverage is not guaranteed every season (City of Tonka Bay posted a 2022 notice of no lifeguards due to staffing shortages) and the beach has had water-quality-related closures (e.g., June 2026), so caregivers should verify current lifeguard status and Hennepin County beach status before swimming with kids.
Do I need to hike to reach Crescent Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Crescent Beach?
Neither the City of Tonka Bay's nor the City of Shorewood's official Crescent Beach pages publish any parking details (lot vs. roadside, cost), and no other confirmable source with parking specifics was found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Crescent Beach?
Both the City of Tonka Bay and City of Shorewood official facility pages confirm a kayak/canoe launch at this beach. Neither page mentions paddleboards, motorboats, or jet skis, nor any specific rules (electric-only, no-wake, carry-in only) for this particular access point.
When is the best time to visit Crescent Beach?
Summer (lifeguards staffed and county water-quality monitoring run seasonally, roughly May through August).
What are the rules at Crescent Beach?
Public swimming beach jointly maintained by the City of Tonka Bay and the City of Shorewood; lifeguards are on duty during summer months (subject to staffing availability); Hennepin County conducts weekly water quality sampling in summer and posts beach status/closures, and both cities direct visitors to check the county's beach status page before visiting.
What water body is Crescent Beach on?
Crescent Beach is on Lake Minnetonka, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Excelsior
Lydiard Beach
Minnetrista, Minnesotalake
Casco Point Public lake shore
Wayzata, Minnesotalake
★ Top verifiedExcelsior Public Beach
Excelsior, Minnesotalake
🛶🏄
Lake Minnewashta Beach & Picnic Area
Excelsior, Minnesotalake
🛶🏄🚤
Sandy Beach
Excelsior, Minnesotalake
🛶
★ Top verifiedLake Ann Beach
Chanhassen, Minnesotalake
🛶🏄