Beaches and parks
By CJ Norman, licensed Minnesota Realtor · Updated
Key takeaways
Not every stretch of Lake Minnetonka shoreline is public, so the handful of beaches that are get real use through the summer. Each one has a different personality.
CJ Norman lives in Mound, a few minutes from Surfside, and his family uses these beaches like everyone else in town.
Surfside sits on Cooks Bay and is the center of summer in Mound, with a sandy swimming beach, a playground, picnic space, beach volleyball, and fishing. Next door, Bay Rentals' Ship's Store sells ice cream and snacks and puts rental jet skis in the water at its beachfront.
It is a neighborhood beach in the best sense. Families walk or bike in, and it stays busy without feeling like a destination park.
The Commons is a large public park on Excelsior Bay with a swimming beach, open lawn, a fishing dock, and a band shell that hosts summer events.
Its biggest advantage is location. Downtown Excelsior and Water Street sit a short walk away, so a beach afternoon rolls straight into dinner or ice cream.
Wayzata's lakefront centers on the depot, the lakewalk, and Lake Effect Park, with beach and shoreline access along Wayzata Bay.
It is the most polished waterfront on the lake and the easiest to combine with shops and restaurants within a few blocks.
The Three Rivers Park District park on Halsted Bay is the family option, built around a chlorinated swimming pond with a sand entry and a water slide rather than lake swimming.
It also has a boat launch, picnic areas, trails, and a creative play area. Daily or annual park entry fees apply, and it is the best choice for parents of young children who want controlled water.
| Beach | City | Water | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfside Park and Beach | Mound | Cooks Bay swimming beach | Neighborhood summer days, playground, volleyball, and fishing |
| Excelsior Commons | Excelsior | Excelsior Bay swimming beach | Combining the beach with downtown Excelsior |
| Wayzata lakefront | Wayzata | Wayzata Bay shoreline | Lakewalk, depot, and a polished downtown |
| Lake Minnetonka Regional Park | Minnetrista | Chlorinated swimming pond and slide | Families with young children; park entry fee applies |
Common questions
It depends on the day. Surfside Park and Beach in Mound is the classic neighborhood swimming beach on Cooks Bay, Excelsior Commons pairs a beach with a walkable downtown, and Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista is the best pick for families with small children.
Yes. Public swimming beaches operate in Mound, Excelsior, Wayzata, and several other lake communities during the summer season. Lifeguard coverage is limited and varies by site and year, so check with the managing city before relying on it.
The Three Rivers Park District park in Minnetrista features a chlorinated swimming pond with a sand entry and a water slide rather than open lake swimming. It also has a boat launch, picnic areas, and trails, and a park entry fee applies.
Surfside Park and Beach on Cooks Bay is Mound's public swimming beach, with a playground, picnic space, beach volleyball, and fishing. Bay Rentals next door also puts rental jet skis in the water at its beachfront.
Mound, Excelsior, and Minnetrista all place families within a short trip of public swimming, and each has a different price range and feel. CJ Norman, a Mound-based Realtor, helps buyers compare those communities on more than beach access alone.