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    Bde Maka Ska Park

    4.3 (133 reviews)

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    Bde Maka Ska is the "White Earth Lake"
    Gilbert G.

    I stopped by Bde Maka Ska on a Saturday evening in late October 2024 to watch the sunset. If you're in the Uptown section of Minneapolis for dinner, take a stroll by this lovely lake to enjoy the sunset. Loved seeing that the name of the lake has been restored to its original Native American title. This is part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byways trail system for biking and walking. During the day, I'm sure it's a nice place for a stroll. Minnesota is known for its lakes - if you're in Minneapolis for a few days and need an escape from downtown while the weather is pleasant, hop on a taxi or bus to enjoy dinner in the Uptown neighborhood and leave time to view this lake!

    Eyely B.

    Great place for walking/running/biking! Beautiful views, lots of places to sit, grill and swim. We've taken advantage of the kayak rentals in the past and love coming here! Very pet and family friendly! Get there mid morning for free street parking.

    Karina C.

    Bde Maka Ska is part of the Minneapolis Park just to be called Like Calhoun name got changed in 2018 to Bde Maka Ska translate to "White Earth Lake" in the Dakota language. The pedestrian trail is around 3.5 miles and the same for the bike route. You can do Archery, Boat Dock, fishing, picnic, has a soccer field, softball field, volleyball court- sand, and have restrooms.

    Last time I was there, I saw goats on the fence. Somebody's go to must've gotten loose. They were so cute!
    Caitlin U.

    I absolutely love this spot. It is a favorite spot to get a quick city walk in. It is also a favorite spot to kayak/ stand up paddle since you can do the chain of lakes. I really enjoy doing sunset rides here. The sunset is a very beautiful. It can be a bit crowded if you go mid day on a weekend. However, it is a big spot, and there is lots to do. You can picnic, there is restaurants, they also do sailing and you can rent out water boats here. The hike around the full loop is about 3.25 miles. Street parking is free. Otherwise, the lots are paid parking by the beaches.

    Risa Y.

    The Lake previously known as Lake Calhoun, is now Bde Maka Ska meaning 'Lake White Earth'. Love the gorgeous lake in the middle of the city and still my favorite place to go for a walk and to lay in the sun, and just enjoy! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

    Bde Maka Ska Park, Minneapolis
    Bruce K.

    We had a fantastic walk today along the lake shore to get to our brunch restaurant. My friend brought his dog in a pram and it was lovely. The lake is great, the people walking along the lake were friendly and the views of nature were fabulous. You could just about disconnect and pretend that you're not in one of the larger cities in America. [Review 17865 overall - 96 in Minnesota - 1386 of 2022.]

    Bde Mka Ska - formerly Lake Calhoun
    Bella J.

    Beautiful park, formerly known as the Lake Calhoun. It is a great to just sightsee, walk around the lake, ride a bike, snooter, hoverboard what have you or during summer have a fun catamaran ride. Beautiful houses nearby to see and there's even a nice man who gives free sail boat ride during warmer months.

    Frozen Lake during February
    Robert W.

    Bde Maka Ska is my favorite lake in the Twin Cities. Personally, I love to walk and the pathway around the perimeter is a perfect hour walk (if walking fast) at about 3 miles all the way around. Rain or shine, winter or summer, you will always find many people out on this path. I come here probably 3 times a week and love it. The location is great for Uptown and St. Louis park. I cannot wait until the summer when I can enjoy the beaches and go swimming and boating. Definitely recommend stopping by here even if only for a scenic walk

    Lake
    Nicole D.

    Beautiful here in the summer time. Lots of walking trails and beautiful views! This lake has lots to do kayaking boating fishing

    Beach, park, lakes.
    Caroline C.

    What a gem! Hubby and I were visiting family in St. Paul, and it was so hot out that we wanted to get in the water. We found a kayak rental place on the lake and got 4 single kayaks for 1/2 day. This area is beautiful and full of friendly like minded outdoorsy people. So many kayakers and paddlers on the lakes and lots of area to cover! We even saw wild turkey on the banks! We stopped at one of 4 beaches on one lake. The choices blew my mind. Will definitely be back!

    Maka your way around this lake
    Fox E.

    Bde Maka sounds like a Ska band, but in this case, it's a lake. I lake the sound of that. Absolutely spectacular lake just west of all of the cool areas of Minneapolis. This massive Lake provides a beautiful backdrop to some of the nicest parts of the area and Lake Street literally will dump you right in this lake (hope you can swim) at the far end of Lake in uptown. I've heard that there is a monster that swims around in here. So look out for that!

    Siobhan D.

    We enjoyed a gorgeous hike around the lake today plus a cookout on Thomas Beach. It was busy but not terribly crowded. Lots of walkers and bicyclists. Free parking.

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    Ask the Community - Bde Maka Ska Park

    Review Highlights - Bde Maka Ska Park

    Also, I don't know how pronounce the name of this lake but it was formerly known as Lake Calhoun so we'll stick to that.

    Mentioned in 51 reviews

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    Lake Nokomis

    Lake Nokomis

    4.5
    (58 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    After yesterday's paddle, I gotta say this place is bliss…read more I'd kind of scoped it out a few days prior just by taking a hike around the entirety of the lake to see what all it had to offer besides hiking and biking. I'd parked over by the larger beach (Nokomis Main Beach) on the west side (there's a smaller one on the east side), utilizing the free parallel parking which was available since it wasn't yet a busy afternoon rather than the pay lot. The large beach is quite nice, with some play equipment for the kiddos, a decent restroom facility, even a eatery/ice cream place. Seasonally, there's also a rental place for kayaks/canoes/swan boats if you don't have your own. There's another parking lot on the north end which is nearby a dock that's great for putting in your own kayak/canoe. This is also where you'll find the nearby Community Center with lots more play equipment and tennis courts outside, as well as gyms and rooms inside (open in the afternoons/evenings). It looks to me that the community center offers a lot of classes/activities for kids throughout the year that you can sign up for. I took a quick detour inside and admired their small common area with little library, fish tank, art, etc. Walking around the entirety of the lake will also take you over the car bridge, which offers some nice views. Just north of that bridge is also where the fancier boats are anchored. When I came back the second time with my inflatable kayak, I was able to easily get out onto the water and enjoy my time. Lovely warm September day meant lovely warm lake water, and I paddled the length of it and back, stopping frequently to just lay back and vibe. I especially enjoyed relaxing at the southern end of the lake where the planes fly directly over on their descent into MSP airport. So cool to marvel at!

    Love walking around this lake. Cool beach fronts and nice open fields with playgrounds.read more

    Photos
    On a Swan Boat
    On a Swan Boat
    Play equipment and rentals at Main Beach
    Play equipment and rentals at Main Beach
    Lake Nokomis

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    Bde Maka Ska Park - parks - Updated August 2026

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