Between the scenic North Shore, the dozens of rivers, and the thousands of lakes, you can expect to find some pretty epic beaches in Minnesota. It should come as no surprise then that whenever warmer weather arrives, we want to share some of our favorites with family and friends. Whether you’re looking for some peace and quiet, a great place to swim, or just to work on your tan, there’s bound to be a beach you can love. Here are some of the best and most secluded, little known beaches in Minnesota:
- Zippel Bay State Park Beach
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Zippel Bay has two entire miles of sandy, beautiful beach at Lake of the Woods on the northern border of Minnesota. The views are stunning in every direction, and there’s plenty of room for you to spread out and enjoy some quiet relaxation. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 3684 54th Avenue Northwest, Williams, Minnesota, 56686
- Iona’s Beach
Justin Meissen/Flickr On the North Shore, this small beach is actually a Scientific & Natural Area (SNA), so it’s best for simply walking through and sitting, but there is a short path that brings you to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior, and the beautiful red pebbles are truly unique. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, or to plan your visit, visit the official website.
Address: 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616
- Lake Carlos State Park Beach
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources This secluded beach at Lake Carlos State Park is the perfect place for families to unwind, take a dip, play volleyball, and enjoy the sunshine. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 2601 County Road 38 Northeast, Carlos, Minnesota, 56319
- Onyx Beach
Photo courtesy of Seth Hardmeyer This beach by Silver Bay has gorgeous black sand as a result of Taconite mining in Minnesota’s past. The waters have been restored to their beautiful, pristine condition, and you can simply enjoy the uniqueness of this view. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit this website.
- Afton State Park Beach
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources This beautiful state park beach on the St. Croix River offers calm places to swim and recline on sunny days. Just a quick drive from the cities, it’s an amazing place to hike in and spend a long, hot day. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings, Minnesota, 55033
- Flandrau State Park Beach
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Not only is this beach soft and welcoming, but the water is actually a chlorinated pool with a sandy bottom. This is the perfect place to bring children, and it’s conveniently located near the wonderful small town of New Ulm. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 1300 Summit Avenue, New Ulm, Minnesota, 56073
- Hayes Lake State Park Beach
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Another wonderful park beach, Hayes Lake offers sandy shores in northwestern Minnesota for families to relax and enjoy while they’re staying in the nearby campgrounds. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 48990 County Road 4, Roseau, Minnesota, 56751
- Camden State Park Beach
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources This beach is beautiful, but the water is what is truly unique. The beach at Camden State Park is on a spring-fed pond with stunning, clear waters that everyone will love. It’s one of the most refreshing places to take a dip in Minnesota. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 1897 Camden Park Road, Lynd, Minnesota, 56157
What other beaches in Minnesota do you love? Share them with us in the comments!
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Zippel Bay has two entire miles of sandy, beautiful beach at Lake of the Woods on the northern border of Minnesota. The views are stunning in every direction, and there’s plenty of room for you to spread out and enjoy some quiet relaxation. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 3684 54th Avenue Northwest, Williams, Minnesota, 56686
Justin Meissen/Flickr
On the North Shore, this small beach is actually a Scientific & Natural Area (SNA), so it’s best for simply walking through and sitting, but there is a short path that brings you to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior, and the beautiful red pebbles are truly unique. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, or to plan your visit, visit the official website.
Address: 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616
This secluded beach at Lake Carlos State Park is the perfect place for families to unwind, take a dip, play volleyball, and enjoy the sunshine. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 2601 County Road 38 Northeast, Carlos, Minnesota, 56319
Photo courtesy of Seth Hardmeyer
This beach by Silver Bay has gorgeous black sand as a result of Taconite mining in Minnesota’s past. The waters have been restored to their beautiful, pristine condition, and you can simply enjoy the uniqueness of this view. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit this website.
This beautiful state park beach on the St. Croix River offers calm places to swim and recline on sunny days. Just a quick drive from the cities, it’s an amazing place to hike in and spend a long, hot day. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 6959 Peller Avenue South, Hastings, Minnesota, 55033
Not only is this beach soft and welcoming, but the water is actually a chlorinated pool with a sandy bottom. This is the perfect place to bring children, and it’s conveniently located near the wonderful small town of New Ulm. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 1300 Summit Avenue, New Ulm, Minnesota, 56073
Another wonderful park beach, Hayes Lake offers sandy shores in northwestern Minnesota for families to relax and enjoy while they’re staying in the nearby campgrounds. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 48990 County Road 4, Roseau, Minnesota, 56751
This beach is beautiful, but the water is what is truly unique. The beach at Camden State Park is on a spring-fed pond with stunning, clear waters that everyone will love. It’s one of the most refreshing places to take a dip in Minnesota. For the most up-to-date park and beach information, visit the official website.
Address: 1897 Camden Park Road, Lynd, Minnesota, 56157
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Address: 3684 54th Ave NW, Williams, MN 56686, USAAddress: 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USAAddress: 2601 County Rd 38 NE, Carlos, MN 56319, USAAddress: Silver Bay, MN 55614, USAAddress: 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, MN 55033, USAAddress: 1300 Summit Ave, New Ulm, MN 56073, USAAddress: 48990 Co Rd 4, Roseau, MN 56751, USAAddress: Camden State Park Trail, Minnesota 56157, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Little Known Beaches in Minnesota May 12, 2021 Tori Jane What are some popular summer destinations in Minnesota? Minnesota is a beautiful state with tons of epic places to go and see, especially during the summer months! Some of the most popular summertime destinations in Minnesota include the more obvious places like Minneapolis, Duluth, and St. Paul, but there are lots of small towns that deserve a visit during the warmer months, too. Bemidji and Shakopee pride themselves on being excellent summertime destinations that the whole family will love. Of course, for those who are more nature-inclined, there’s plenty to go around! Hike any one of the beautiful trails throughout the state, or go fishing in any one of our literal thousands of lakes. Some of the most popular outdoor summer destinations in Minnesota are Voyageurs National Park, Pipestone National Monument, and Grand Marais, on Lake Superior’s beautiful north shore. What are the best beaches in Minnesota? Minnesota’s proximity to water is super-lucky for those of us who really love nature and all its beauty. Sure, Minnesota might be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a fair share of epic beaches thanks to our many lakes (some of which are gigantic) that will make you totally forget you’re not by the ocean. Some of the best, most popular swimming beaches include McCarthy Beach State Park, which is a stunning, nationally-known sandy beach along Sturgeon Lake, and Zippel Bay State Park, which is home to literally miles of white, sandy beach. Afton State Park is also home to a beautiful lakeside beach paradise. What kind of places to swim in Minnesota are there? Well, they don’t call Minnesota the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing! In fact, this beautiful state is home to more than 11,800 lakes, all of which are absolutely beautiful, and many of which are popular swimming destinations for locals. Some of the best swim spots in Minnesota are the smaller lakes that seem to be underappreciated; while everyone else is flocking to the beaches of Lake Michigan, you could be lounging the day away at beautiful Little Caribou Lake, or splashing in the cool waters at Beaver Bay. We’re also major fans of Afton State Park, which has beaches so beautiful that you’ll forget you’re in Minnesota. For more of our favorite swimmer-friendly lakes, this article might serve as some inspiration!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Little Known Beaches in Minnesota
May 12, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some popular summer destinations in Minnesota? Minnesota is a beautiful state with tons of epic places to go and see, especially during the summer months! Some of the most popular summertime destinations in Minnesota include the more obvious places like Minneapolis, Duluth, and St. Paul, but there are lots of small towns that deserve a visit during the warmer months, too. Bemidji and Shakopee pride themselves on being excellent summertime destinations that the whole family will love. Of course, for those who are more nature-inclined, there’s plenty to go around! Hike any one of the beautiful trails throughout the state, or go fishing in any one of our literal thousands of lakes. Some of the most popular outdoor summer destinations in Minnesota are Voyageurs National Park, Pipestone National Monument, and Grand Marais, on Lake Superior’s beautiful north shore. What are the best beaches in Minnesota? Minnesota’s proximity to water is super-lucky for those of us who really love nature and all its beauty. Sure, Minnesota might be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a fair share of epic beaches thanks to our many lakes (some of which are gigantic) that will make you totally forget you’re not by the ocean. Some of the best, most popular swimming beaches include McCarthy Beach State Park, which is a stunning, nationally-known sandy beach along Sturgeon Lake, and Zippel Bay State Park, which is home to literally miles of white, sandy beach. Afton State Park is also home to a beautiful lakeside beach paradise. What kind of places to swim in Minnesota are there? Well, they don’t call Minnesota the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing! In fact, this beautiful state is home to more than 11,800 lakes, all of which are absolutely beautiful, and many of which are popular swimming destinations for locals. Some of the best swim spots in Minnesota are the smaller lakes that seem to be underappreciated; while everyone else is flocking to the beaches of Lake Michigan, you could be lounging the day away at beautiful Little Caribou Lake, or splashing in the cool waters at Beaver Bay. We’re also major fans of Afton State Park, which has beaches so beautiful that you’ll forget you’re in Minnesota. For more of our favorite swimmer-friendly lakes, this article might serve as some inspiration!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Minnesota is a beautiful state with tons of epic places to go and see, especially during the summer months! Some of the most popular summertime destinations in Minnesota include the more obvious places like Minneapolis, Duluth, and St. Paul, but there are lots of small towns that deserve a visit during the warmer months, too. Bemidji and Shakopee pride themselves on being excellent summertime destinations that the whole family will love. Of course, for those who are more nature-inclined, there’s plenty to go around! Hike any one of the beautiful trails throughout the state, or go fishing in any one of our literal thousands of lakes. Some of the most popular outdoor summer destinations in Minnesota are Voyageurs National Park, Pipestone National Monument, and Grand Marais, on Lake Superior’s beautiful north shore.
What are the best beaches in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s proximity to water is super-lucky for those of us who really love nature and all its beauty. Sure, Minnesota might be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a fair share of epic beaches thanks to our many lakes (some of which are gigantic) that will make you totally forget you’re not by the ocean. Some of the best, most popular swimming beaches include McCarthy Beach State Park, which is a stunning, nationally-known sandy beach along Sturgeon Lake, and Zippel Bay State Park, which is home to literally miles of white, sandy beach. Afton State Park is also home to a beautiful lakeside beach paradise.
What kind of places to swim in Minnesota are there?
Well, they don’t call Minnesota the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing! In fact, this beautiful state is home to more than 11,800 lakes, all of which are absolutely beautiful, and many of which are popular swimming destinations for locals. Some of the best swim spots in Minnesota are the smaller lakes that seem to be underappreciated; while everyone else is flocking to the beaches of Lake Michigan, you could be lounging the day away at beautiful Little Caribou Lake, or splashing in the cool waters at Beaver Bay. We’re also major fans of Afton State Park, which has beaches so beautiful that you’ll forget you’re in Minnesota. For more of our favorite swimmer-friendly lakes, this article might serve as some inspiration!
