Half an hour south of Minneapolis, Cleary Lake Regional Park packs a surprising amount of outdoor fun into one easy-to-reach spot. The 137-acre lake is the centrepiece, ringed by forest trails, a swim beach, a nine-hole golf course and a campground — all open daily, year-round, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On the water, Cleary Lake is strictly calm: it's a no-wake lake with no gas motors allowed, which makes it a quiet place to paddle. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards can be rented between Memorial Day and Labor Day (reserve online in advance), and there's a boat launch on the south shore for anyone bringing their own craft. Anglers get an accessible fishing pier and a healthy mix of species — bass, walleye, sunfish, crappie, catfish — though most will need a valid Minnesota fishing licence. The free swim beach runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; there are no lifeguards, but water quality is monitored regularly.
On land, 5.9 miles of trails wind through lakeside and woodland. The standout is the 3.4-mile Cleary Lake loop, the park's top-rated hike on AllTrails, circling the whole lake with marsh views, benches and water fountains along the way. The 3-mile Lakeside and Ironwood Loop is the better pick for birdwatching — beavers and bald eagles are regular sightings. Winter flips the script entirely: six miles of cross-country ski trails, 3.8 miles of fat-tire biking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and even skijoring.
Dog owners have reason to get especially excited. Beyond 5.3 miles of leashed trails, the park has a 28-acre fenced off-leash area with its own wetland pond where dogs can swim and socialise. In winter, dog sledding is on the activity list too.
Staying overnight? The campground covers tent and RV travellers alike. Basswood offers full RV hookups plus tent sites; White Pine has quieter drive-in sites without electricity; and three group sites — Cleary Point, Oak Grove and Norway Ridge — handle parties of 40 to 80 people. Book online ahead of time, especially for summer weekends. If it's full, Lebanon Hills Regional Park nearby is a solid backup with more trails, swimming and camping.
Why it matters: this is the rare park that works as a half-day stop on a Twin Cities trip or a full weekend base. It's about 30 minutes from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, close enough to the city for an easy lake afternoon, yet cheap once you're there — camping costs a fraction of area hotels, the beach is free and rentals are modestly priced. Families get a playground and game rentals, paddlers get eagle sightings, anglers get a pier, and the dog gets a pond. And when everyone's had enough fresh air, the Mall of America — the largest mall in the US — sits less than half an hour away for indoor backup.
