Island Lake Beach

East Bethel, Minnesota · on Island Lake

Verified · 3 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: lake
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $7
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Island Lake Beach

Island Lake Beach is a small, informal swimming hole on the eastern shore of Island Lake, a bog-stained 73-acre lake within Anoka County's Martin-Island-Linwood Lakes Regional Park Reserve in Linwood Township near East Bethel, Minnesota. The county park officially lists a 'Swimming Beach' among its amenities alongside a boat launch, picnic area, and the Camp Salie group camp, so it is a sanctioned lake to swim in despite the informal feel.

The beach sits within a 737-acre regional park reserve described by Anoka County as remaining mostly in a natural state, with densely wooded shoreline and riparian bogs around Island Lake limiting access along most of the lake's edge. The Minnesota DNR notes the lake has fair water quality but bog-stained water, and that part of the shoreline is bordered by the Camp Salie group camp, whose section is restricted to registered guests.

Swimming at Island Lake Beach

The DNR fisheries page and Anoka County's own park listing confirm a designated beach/swim area exists on the lake's eastern shore, but neither source gives details on water depth, bottom composition, or lifeguard presence at the swim area itself.

How to get to this swimming hole

Parking: Located within Martin-Island-Linwood Lakes Regional Park at 22480 Martin Lake Road NW, Linwood Township, MN 55092; requires an Anoka County Regional Park vehicle permit to park.

The hike in

The 737-acre park has separate 'walking & running trails' and snowmobile trails listed as amenities, but the swimming beach, boat launch, picnic pavilion, and playground are listed together by Anoka County as clustered, car-accessible amenities rather than trail-access features, so no dedicated hike appears to be required to reach the water.

No trail listing, land-manager trail map, or trip report could be retrieved specifying a named trail or walk distance from a lot to this beach; this assessment is inferred from how the county groups the amenities, not from an explicit 'beach is X feet from parking' statement.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

No lifeguard, water depth, or bottom-composition details are published for the beach itself. MN DNR describes the lake's water as bog-stained (reduced visibility), which limits how well a supervising adult can see kids once they're a few feet from shore, and the beach is described as 'rustic'/informal rather than a supervised swim facility. Reasonable for supervised wading but not a manned, high-visibility swim area.

Parking

Paid, $7/day or $30/year Anoka County Regional Park vehicle permit

Park at Martin-Island-Linwood Lakes Regional Park, 22480 Martin Lake Road NW, Linwood Township, MN 55092; the annual permit is also honored at other Anoka County regional parks and participating Washington County parks. No separate lot specifically for the Island Lake beach is described (the county page bundles swimming beach, boat launch, picnic pavilion, and playground as shared park amenities).

Water clarity

Often murky

MN DNR fisheries page describes Island Lake as having 'fair' water quality but 'bog-stained' water, consistent with tea-colored/turbid conditions typical of bog-fed lakes; dense wooded/bog shoreline limits access around most of the lake.

On the water

KayaksCanoes

Restrictions: No boat ramp exists on Island Lake; the only access is an unimproved, carry-in public water access point off Viking Blvd via the inlet creek, usable only depending on water levels (boatlaunchmap.com confirms this exact coordinate match as a free, carry-in-only public water access site).

Given the carry-in-only, creek-fed access and lack of a boat ramp, motorized/trailered boats are impractical here even though no explicit motor ban is stated; this is effectively a small-craft (kayak/canoe) lake.

Island Lake Beach: FAQ

Does Island Lake Beach charge a fee?

Anoka County Regional Park vehicle permit required: $7 daily or $30 annual (annual permit also honored at other Anoka County regional parks and participating Washington County parks).

Is Island Lake Beach kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Island Lake Beach?

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

Where do I park for Island Lake Beach?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Island Lake Beach?

What are the rules at Island Lake Beach?

Managed as an Anoka County Regional Park; a portion of Island Lake's shoreline near the Camp Salie group camp is restricted to registered camp guests only.

What water body is Island Lake Beach on?

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