Public Beaches Near Orono

Excelsior

City of Excelsior Phone: 952-474-5233

Typically, more than 100 people stumble upon the beach at the end of First Street in Excelsior, which is open from the first part of June until Mid-August.

Excelsior Commons Beach 

Location: Highway 7 west to Excelsior exit, proceed to the corner of the Lake and Water Street.

Amenities include a nearby concession stand, bathrooms and metered parking. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Independence

City of Independence Phone: 763-479-0527

Lake Independence Beach 

Location: Highway 394 west to highway 12 to City Road 19 north

Long Lake

City of Long Lake Phone: 952-473-6961

Nelson / Lakeside Beach

• Located: In Long Lake, Highway 12 east to Lake Street - left to lake
• A small beach, which isn't staffed by lifeguards, is open during daylight hours. Playground equipment and grills are nearby, and not so far off is a fishing pier.
• Limited parking

Minnetonka

City of Minnetonka Phone: 952-939-8200 

Home to the popular Shady Oak Beach, which is used by nearly 55,000 people every summer, Minnetonka also offers the smaller Libbs Lake Beach for a more neighborhood feel.

Libbs Beach

Located At: 16515 Park Lane

This beach will have limited lifeguards on duty but swimming is allowed in an unsupervised setting. No beach permit is required for parking as parking is very limited.

Shady Oak Beach

Located At: 5200 Shady Oak Road

This beach is open the first part of June to first part of August. Lifeguard hours are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Beginning August 6th the beach closes at 8 p.m. Swimming in the lake will end half an hour before sunset. Amenities include concessions, a picnic area, a floating dock and volleyball courts. Season passes are required, call Minnetonka for details.

Minnetonka Beach

City Minnetonka Beach Phone: 952-939-8200

Minnetonka Beach - Beach

Location: Highway 394 west to Cty Road 15 west, 1/2 mile past the Arcola bridge

Minnetrista

City of Minnetrista Phone: 952-446-1660

If you don't like swimming with the fishes, Three Rivers Park District's man-made swimming pond (with chlorinated water) now open through first weekend in September is your answer.

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park Beach

Located At: 4610 County Road 44 - Highway 7 west to Cty Road 44 north

Lifeguard hours are between noon until 8 p.m. on most summer days, but the beach opens at 9 a.m. Amenities include concessions and picnic areas. Hiking and biking trails are nearby. Admission is required.

Mound

City of Mound Phone: 952-472-0600 

Although Mound has several smaller beaches, these three are its largest. All the beaches are open during daylight hours, with no lifeguards.

Centerview Beach

Located on Centerview Lane, this beach offers a fishing pier, picnic tables and toilets.

Mound Bay Park Beach

Located At: Bartlett Boulevard Highway 394 west to Cty Road 15 west to Commerce Boulevard, turn left and proceed 1 mile.

The largest of Mound's beaches, this beach offers sand volleyball courts, playground equipment, grills, picnic tables and toilets. Offers docks for bathers coming by boat.

Wychwood Beach

Located At: Wilshire Boulevard

This is a smaller beach with limited parking, grills, picnic tables and toilets.

Plymouth

City of Plymouth Phone: 763-509-5000

Find playground equipment galore at three Plymouth beaches, perfect for family outings.

Medicine Lake East

Located At: 740 East Medicine Lake Boulevard 

This beach is open from the end of May to the end of August, 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. No lifeguards are stationed at this beach. Amenities include volleyball courts, trails, picnic site with grills, playground equipment, bathrooms and changing areas. Free.

Medicine Lake West

Located At: 1920 West Medicine Lake Drive

Lifeguard hours are 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. the first part of June through Mid-August, but beach opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. Amenities include nearby trails, volleyball court, playground equipment, picnic shelters and a fishing pier. Free

Parkers Lake Beach

Located At: 15205 County Road 6

Lifeguard hours are 11:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. from the first part of June until Mid-August, but beach opens 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Amenities include trails, picnic sites with grills, playground equipment and a pavilion with bathrooms and concessions are nearby. Wednesday entertainment. This is a free beach.

Shorewood

City of Shorewood Phone: 952-474-3236 

Crescent Beach 

A small sandy beach. It is staffed with lifeguards from the first part of June through Mid-August from noon until 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting. A swimming dock is provided, and the swimming area is roped off.

Tonka Bay

City of Tonka Bay Phone: 952-474-7994

Tonka Bay offers two beaches with lifeguards and of course, sand. Both are open daily, the first part of June through Mid-August.

Crescent Beach

Located At: 240 Birch Bluff Road Highway 7 to City Road 19 west follow City Road 19 to Birch Bluff Road, turn left.

Lifeguards hours are from noon until 6 p.m. Amenities include a dock.

Wakota Beach

Located At: 300 west Point Road Highway 7 to Cty Road 19 west to West Point Road, turn right.

 Lifeguard hours are from noon until 6 p.m. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, playground equipment and tennis courts.

Wayzata

City of Wayzata Phone: 952-404-5300 

Marina Beach

Located At: 220 Grove Lane East

Lifeguards hours are from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. from the first part of June through Mid-August. Amenities include boat access, drinking water, parking off street, electrical outlets, picnic area, restroom, volleyball courts. New playground equipment. Free for residents.

Wayzata Beach 

Located At: Highway 394 to Central Avenue., turn left, proceed to Wayzata Boulevard, turn right, then first left; proceed to Lake Street and turn right. Proceed to Barry Avenue., turn left and proceed to Grove Street and turn left.