Crystal Beach

Burnsville, Minnesota · on Crystal Lake · Crystal Beach

Verified · 4 independent sources

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $66/year
SEASON: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, when the beach, concessions, and canoe/paddleboard rentals are open and lifeguard-free swimming is designated.

About Crystal Beach

Crystal Beach is a city-operated public swimming beach on Crystal Lake in Burnsville, Minnesota, part of a roughly 24-acre lakeside park. The swimming hole is unguarded and officially designated for swimming by the City of Burnsville, which tests water quality seasonally, making Crystal Lake an easy lake to swim in for the south metro.

The park sits on the shore of Crystal Lake, Burnsville's largest lake at nearly 300 acres, and includes a sandy swimming beach, fishing pier, and a separate public boat launch (Crystal Lake West). Onsite amenities include a playground, sand volleyball court, picnic shelter and tables, paved/stroller-friendly trails, and a concession building.

Swimming at Crystal Beach

Swimming takes place at an unguarded, city-designated lake beach with a swimming area kept separate from the fishing area. The city monitors E. coli levels at the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day and will close the beach temporarily if contamination exceeds Minnesota's standard of 126 organisms per 100 mL, with risk noted to rise after rainfall, from waterfowl, and in warm weather.

How to get to this swimming hole

The beach and park are located at 1101 Crystal Lake Road East, Burnsville, MN 55337.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up city park with paved, stroller-friendly trails connecting the parking area to the beach; no hiking trail is required to reach the swimming area.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

Designated swimming area is kept separate from the fishing area and the park has a playground/sand play equipment, but the beach is explicitly unguarded (no lifeguard on duty), so adult supervision is needed. No source specifies swim-area depth or bottom conditions.

Restrooms

Yes

Seasonal restrooms at the beach, open from the third weekend of May through the third weekend of September, 5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily (per City of Burnsville facility page); closed outside that window.

Hours

Park hours 5:00 AM-10:00 PM daily (City of Burnsville); beach/rental/restroom season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

On the water

CanoesPaddleboards

Restrictions: During 'High Water' status, all watercraft must travel at no-wake speed (5 mph or less). A separate public boat launch exists at Crystal Lake West (11 Crystal Lake Road E, Burnsville), but the official sources checked don't specify which craft types (e.g., motorboats, personal kayaks) are permitted there.

Feeding waterfowl is prohibited to help protect water quality; the city also does annual harvesting of invasive Curly-leaf Pondweed.

Rentals nearby

City of Burnsville - Crystal Beach rentals

Seasonal canoe rack rental and paddleboard rental at the beach

Prices: Canoe rack rental: $66/year (Burnsville resident) or $83/year (non-resident); paddleboard rental rate not published (city notes rates vary by rental length and residency status)

On-site at Crystal Beach, 1101 Crystal Lake Road East, Burnsville, MN · Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (seasonal only)

What regulars say

One visitor described Crystal Lake Beach as clean and noted the swimming area is kept separate from the fishing area, calling it popular with local families. No further firsthand commentary specific to Crystal Beach was found.

Crystal Beach: FAQ

Does Crystal Beach charge a fee?

No admission fee found for beach use; canoe rack rentals cost $66/year (resident) or $83/year (non-resident); picnic shelter reservations have separate fees.

Is Crystal Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Crystal Beach?

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

Where do I park for Crystal Beach?

No dedicated parking details (lot size, cost, or location) were found on the official City of Burnsville pages or other sources checked this pass; address is 1101 Crystal Lake Road East, Burnsville, MN 55337.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Crystal Beach?

Feeding waterfowl is prohibited to help protect water quality; the city also does annual harvesting of invasive Curly-leaf Pondweed.

When is the best time to visit Crystal Beach?

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, when the beach, concessions, and canoe/paddleboard rentals are open and lifeguard-free swimming is designated.

What are the rules at Crystal Beach?

Beach is unguarded (no lifeguard). Feeding waterfowl is prohibited to help protect water quality. Watercraft must travel at no-wake speed (5 mph or less) during high water periods. Park hours are 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily; restrooms operate seasonally (third weekend of May through third weekend of September, 5 a.m.-10 p.m.).

What water body is Crystal Beach on?

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