Brownie Lake Park

Name: Brownie Lake Park
Address: 3201 S Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55416, USA, Minneapolis, MN, US
Telephone: (612) 230-6400
Rating: 4.6

4.6(94) Minneapolis, MN

Directions Website

About Brownie Lake Park

A tranquil, year-round nature oasis just outside downtown, offering diverse outdoor activities from challenging mountain biking to beginner ski trails, and seamless water access to the wider Chain of Lakes. It provides a unique blend of solitude and connectivity.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking a quiet, natural outdoor escape close to an urban area.Active families looking for multi-sport outdoor activities (biking, hiking, paddling, skiing).Parents introducing children to biking or skiing on beginner-friendly trails.Mountain biking enthusiasts looking for challenging trails.Paddlers (kayak, canoe, SUP) who don't mind portaging or starting from Cedar Lake.

Why families love it

Offers year-round activities: running, walking, canoeing, SUP, cross-country skiing, sledding, and mountain biking.
Features clean lake water suitable for paddling activities.
Easily connects to Cedar Lake and the wider Chain of Lakes (Cedar, Isles, Makaska) for extended adventures (requires crossing train tracks to Cedar Lake).
Contains 'amazing,' 'challenging,' and 'fun' mountain biking trails, specifically on the west end of the lake.
Includes nice beginner bike and ski trails, making it accessible for those new to these activities.
A 'pretty and short walk all the way around' the lake is available.

Insider tips

For easier canoe/boat access, consider launching from Cedar Lake and paddling over to Brownie Lake rather than portaging from the street.
Be aware that connecting to Cedar Lake involves crossing train tracks.
Utilize the beginner bike and ski trails if visiting with children who are learning these activities.
Explore the west end of the lake for more challenging mountain biking experiences.
Consider visiting in winter for cross-country skiing or sledding on the northeast side of the lake.

Good to know before you go

If seeking highly structured playgrounds or dedicated facilities for very young children, as the focus is on natural outdoor activities.
If expecting very easy, direct, non-portage access for launching larger boats like canoes directly into Brownie Lake.
Lacks good, direct access for canoes and boats; requires portaging from the street and down a hill, or launching from Cedar Lake is recommended for easier access.

Crowds: Generally low to moderate crowd levels are implied, offering a sense of 'solitude right outside of downtown' and being described as a 'hidden gem'.
Value: No entry fees or specific costs are mentioned in the reviews, implying free public access to the park and its trails. This offers excellent value for a wide range of year-round activities and natural beauty.
Food: No specific food policy is mentioned in the reviews, implying it aligns with typical public park rules (e.g., outside food and drinks are likely permitted, but no onsite vendors are referenced).
Accessibility: No specific accessibility accommodations (e.g., wheelchair access, sensory-friendly hours) are mentioned in the reviews. The activities primarily involve trails, water, and varied terrain.
Safety: No specific safety features (e.g., staff supervision, first aid stations, specific signage) are mentioned in the reviews, which is typical for a public park and trail system. Users should exercise standard outdoor safety precautions.

What parents say

Laura Machacek

5.0

"If you’re looking for a little piece of solitude right outside of downtown, this is the place. I love to run and walk on the trail around the lake... you can easily extend your run or walk over to Cedar Lake. In the summer, we paddle our canoe and SUP across it’s clean water over to the chain of lakes. In the winter, we cross country ski the trails and sled on the northeast side of the lake. Oh, and you can’t forget the amazing mountain biking trails on the west end of the lake too! It’s the little lake that gives all year round!"

4 years ago

Ava Olson

5.0

"Hidden gem near Cedar Lake. Really nice beach to sit and read. Pretty and short walk all the way around (and connects to cedar via crossing over the train tracks). Easy spots to put kayaks in as well and connect to Cedar."

2 years ago

Jordon Fiske

5.0