Deephaven Beach
Wayzata, Minnesota · on Lake Minnetonka · Deephaven Beach Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Deephaven Beach
Deephaven Beach is the City of Deephaven's main public swimming beach on the eastern shore of Lake Minnetonka, at 19405 Lake Avenue in Deephaven, Minnesota. It is an officially designated swimming area with a lifeguarded swim dock, making it one of the more developed public lake-access beaches in the Wayzata/Deephaven area and a dependable swimming hole for anyone scouting places to swim on Lake Minnetonka.
The beach sits on a residential stretch of Lake Minnetonka's eastern shore in the small city of Deephaven, near Wayzata, Crystal Bay, and Minnetonka Beach. It is a city-park beach with a sandy swim area, picnic grounds, and a sports court rather than a wilderness setting.
Swimming at Deephaven Beach
Swimming takes place directly off a sandy lake beach with a designated swimming dock, in the calm, generally clear water typical of Lake Minnetonka. Entry is described as gradual, making it suitable for families with children. Lifeguards are on duty Wednesday through Sunday, 11am-6pm, through late August; outside those hours and days the beach is unguarded.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: Off-street parking is available near the beach, but designated parking spaces require a Deephaven Beach Parking Sticker, obtainable May-September at Deephaven City Hall. General-area parking is described elsewhere as limited, with a recommendation to arrive early during peak times.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up city beach; one aggregator describes only a short walk from the parking area to the sand. No trail or hike is involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Sandy, gradual/shallow entry designed for families; lifeguards on duty Wed-Sun 11am-6pm (through ~Aug 23) at what the city calls its most-developed, family-oriented beach. No lifeguard coverage outside those hours/days, so caution is warranted then.
Parking
Paid
Off-street parking exists near the beach, but designated spaces require a Deephaven Beach Parking Sticker (residents and non-residents can obtain one at Deephaven City Hall, available May-September); no dollar price was published in sources found. Aggregator sources describe general-area parking as limited, recommending early arrival, with a short walk from parking to the sand.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are on-site at the beach per the City of Deephaven's official beaches page; exact building location not further described.
Water clarity
Mostly clear
Two independent aggregator sources describe the water as 'calm, clear lake water' with a sandy/gradual entry; this is consistent with Lake Minnetonka's generally decent clarity in its calmer bays, though neither source is a first-hand trip report and algae/clarity on Lake Minnetonka can vary seasonally (late-summer algae blooms are common lake-wide). No direct visitor account of clarity at this specific beach was found.
Hours
Beach grounds open sunrise to sunset (per aggregator site); official lifeguard coverage is Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm, running through about August 23.
On the water
Restrictions: The sandy beach functions as a carry-in launch (Paddling.com/aggregator source: 'canoe launch at sandy beach'), with on-site canoe racks for storage. There is no boat ramp for motorized craft at Deephaven Beach itself; the nearest public ramp usable by motorboats/jet skis is the Carson Bay boat ramp nearby.
Lake Minnetonka overall is a large multi-use lake that permits motorboats, pontoons, and jet skis lake-wide (subject to Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol rules and local no-wake zones), but access from this particular beach is carry-in paddle-craft only.
Rentals nearby
Stand-up paddleboard rentals, kayak rentals, e-bike/bike rentals, and SUP/yoga classes and private lessons
250 Grove Ln E, Wayzata, MN 55391 (also has a second location at Excelsior Commons Beach, 71st St, Excelsior, MN), on Lake Minnetonka, a few miles by road from Deephaven Beach · Closed Mon-Tue; Wed-Fri 3pm-7pm; Sat-Sun 11am-7pm
Jet skis (Yamaha VX/EX), stand-up paddleboards, double kayaks, floating 'lily pad' mats, and pedal boards
Prices: Jet ski from $171.20; SUP from $21.40; double kayak from $21.40; lily pad from $53.50; pedal board from $32.10 (rates as listed on their site, likely per rental block, not necessarily per hour)
2630 Commerce Blvd, Mound, MN 55364, on the west side of Lake Minnetonka; self-described as the lake's oldest jet-ski rental operator (since 1995) with its own beachfront/park location
What regulars say
Visitor reports: one swimmer weighing in on the best lakes for a swim in the area wrote, 'I vote Deephaven Beach in Minnetonka, its small, usually quiet, but well maintained.' Another regular named it as their favorite on Lake Minnetonka ('My favorite beach on that lake is Deephaven beach'). Both suggest a smaller, less-crowded, well-kept beach experience relative to other Lake Minnetonka public beaches, though neither comment addresses water clarity directly.
Deephaven Beach: FAQ
Does Deephaven Beach charge a fee?
No admission fee is mentioned for the beach itself; a parking sticker (issued at City Hall, May-September) is required to use designated parking spaces.
Is Deephaven Beach kid friendly?
Sandy, gradual/shallow entry designed for families; lifeguards on duty Wed-Sun 11am-6pm (through ~Aug 23) at what the city calls its most-developed, family-oriented beach. No lifeguard coverage outside those hours/days, so caution is warranted then.
Do I need to hike to reach Deephaven Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Deephaven Beach?
Off-street parking exists near the beach, but designated spaces require a Deephaven Beach Parking Sticker (residents and non-residents can obtain one at Deephaven City Hall, available May-September); no dollar price was published in sources found. Aggregator sources describe general-area parking as limited, recommending early arrival, with a short walk from parking to the sand.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Deephaven Beach?
Lake Minnetonka overall is a large multi-use lake that permits motorboats, pontoons, and jet skis lake-wide (subject to Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol rules and local no-wake zones), but access from this particular beach is carry-in paddle-craft only.
When is the best time to visit Deephaven Beach?
Summer, roughly late May through late August; lifeguard coverage runs Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm, through about August 23.
What are the rules at Deephaven Beach?
Hennepin County performs weekly E. coli testing at the beach from May through August, with closures recommended if bacterial levels exceed EPA standards. Pets are reported not to be allowed on the swim beach.
What water body is Deephaven Beach on?
Deephaven Beach is on Lake Minnetonka, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
