Starbuck City Park
Starbuck, Minnesota · on Lake Minnewaska
Verified · 2 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Starbuck City Park
Starbuck City Park (locally called Lakeshore Park) is a municipal park on the shore of Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, Minnesota, established in 1926. It contains a staffed sandy swimming beach with rafts and slides, alongside picnic shelters, ballfields, and a band shell, a classic small-town swimming hole for anyone looking for places to swim on Lake Minnewaska.
The park sits directly on the eastern shore of Lake Minnewaska on the south side of the small town of Starbuck, Pope County, Minnesota. It combines a lakefront swimming beach with a broader civic park containing shelters, a band shell near the water, ballfields, and courts.
Swimming at Starbuck City Park
A supervised, sandy municipal lake beach suited to families and children: three rafts are anchored offshore for kids to jump from, and two slides let parents help kids down into the water. Lifeguards are on duty (12:00-5:00 pm per the Chamber's description) and swim lessons are offered during the last week of July, indicating a shallow, beginner/family-friendly swimming area rather than a wild or remote spot.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located within Starbuck's Lakeshore Park on the south side of town, bordered by Lake Minnewaska on the east; accessible via the park's lighted parking lot near Charles Branch Memorial Field.
Parking: Lighted parking lot on-site at Lakeshore Park, adjacent to Charles Branch Memorial Field and the beach.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up municipal beach inside Lakeshore Park/Starbuck City Park; parking lot sits at the top of a short hill directly above the sandy beach, roughly a 1-2 minute walk down.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Staffed municipal beach purpose-built for families: flat sandy entry, three anchored rafts for kids to jump from, two slides that let parents catch kids at the bottom, and lifeguards on duty daily 12:00-5:00pm with swim lessons offered the last week of July. Free kiddie kayaks and SUP boards are provided (under 12, under 125 lbs) while lifeguards are on duty.
Parking
Free
Lighted on-site parking lot at Lakeshore Park, at the top of the hill above the beach, adjacent to Charles Branch Memorial Field. No fee mentioned in official sources.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms at the top of the hill by the parking lot, connected to the picnic shelter; outdoor showers on the east side of the snack shack.
Water clarity
Clear
The city parks page (starbuckmn.org/city-parks/) describes the swimming beach as featuring 'crystal clear water.' No independent visitor reports on clarity could be located for this specific spot, so this rating rests on the single official source.
Hours
No fixed park gate hours found; lifeguards are on duty seasonally (summer) from 12:00-5:00pm daily, with swim lessons the last week of July.
On the water
Free kiddie kayaks and SUP boards are provided for children under 12 (under 125 lbs) while lifeguards are on duty. A newer self-serve kiosk lets adults rent kayaks directly at the beach (requires a credit card and a smartphone to download an app); no vendor/app name, pricing, or watercraft restrictions (e.g. motorized boat or no-wake rules) were published on official sources. A separate Starbuck Marina at Hobo Park (west shore of Lake Minnewaska) offers boat slip rentals only, not day-use watercraft rental, and is booked through the Starbuck City Office (320-239-2525).
Rentals nearby
Self-serve adult kayak rental via an on-site kiosk/app (credit card + smartphone required); separately, free kiddie kayaks and SUP boards for children under 12 (under 125 lbs) while lifeguards are on duty
On-site at Starbuck Beach, Lakeshore Park, Starbuck, MN
Backstory
Lakeshore Park originated in 1926 and has undergone continuous improvements since. Charles Branch Memorial Field's softball diamond was built in 1978. A 'Friends of the Lakeshore Park' group is currently fundraising for further park and accessibility improvements.
Starbuck City Park: FAQ
Is Starbuck City Park kid friendly?
Staffed municipal beach purpose-built for families: flat sandy entry, three anchored rafts for kids to jump from, two slides that let parents catch kids at the bottom, and lifeguards on duty daily 12:00-5:00pm with swim lessons offered the last week of July. Free kiddie kayaks and SUP boards are provided (under 12, under 125 lbs) while lifeguards are on duty.
Do I need to hike to reach Starbuck City Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Starbuck City Park?
Lighted on-site parking lot at Lakeshore Park, at the top of the hill above the beach, adjacent to Charles Branch Memorial Field. No fee mentioned in official sources.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Starbuck City Park?
Free kiddie kayaks and SUP boards are provided for children under 12 (under 125 lbs) while lifeguards are on duty. A newer self-serve kiosk lets adults rent kayaks directly at the beach (requires a credit card and a smartphone to download an app); no vendor/app name, pricing, or watercraft restrictions (e.g. motorized boat or no-wake rules) were published on official sources. A separate Starbuck Marina at Hobo Park (west shore of Lake Minnewaska) offers boat slip rentals only, not day-use watercraft rental, and is booked through the Starbuck City Office (320-239-2525).
When is the best time to visit Starbuck City Park?
Summer, when lifeguards are on duty and swim lessons run during the last week of July.
What are the rules at Starbuck City Park?
Lifeguards on duty seasonally 12:00-5:00 pm; no other specific posted rules or fee information was found in official sources.
What water body is Starbuck City Park on?
Starbuck City Park is on Lake Minnewaska, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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