Minnesota · Hiking

Lake Trail

Lake TrailPhoto: controltheweb from US, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.8 mi
round trip
266 ft
climb
966 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Lake Trail is a short, easy hike of about 0.79 miles in Minnewashta Regional Park, on county land in Minnesota. The trail is an out-and-back, about 1.6 miles long round trip, and the climb is minimal: the high point reaches about 966 feet, and the steepest stretch, a 9% grade, comes within the first 0.15 miles. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 81°F with lows near 62°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Prairie Loop lies about 0.3 miles away, and Woodlands Loop is about 0.5 miles off. The Ridge Trail and Lost Pond Trail, both cross-country ski routes, are each about 1.5 miles away, and Lake Minnetonka is about 3.5 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Lake Trail

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      22° / 6°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 9°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      40° / 22°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 35°

      11 wet

    5. May

      68° / 47°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 58°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 62°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 60°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 51°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      57° / 38°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      41° / 25°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 12°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Chanhassen Wsfo, MN, 2.5 mi away at 946 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Woodlands LoopPhoto: controltheweb from US, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Woodlands Loop

Next door

1.10-mile loop trail in Minnesota with 154 ft gain and 224 ft loss.

Mazomani TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mazomani Trail

~17 min drive

5.60-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 429 ft elevation gain.

Chaska Lake TrailPhoto: Wylbur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Chaska Lake Trail

~12 min drive

1.78-mile out-and-back trail to Chaska Lake in Minnesota.

Minnesota Valley State Trail (Louisville Swamp Unit)Photo: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Minnesota Valley State Trail (Louisville Swamp Unit)

~20 min drive

5.65-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 407 ft elevation gain.

State Access TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

State Access Trail

~17 min drive

1.19-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 161 ft elevation gain.

River Bottoms TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

River Bottoms Trail

~26 min drive

8.68-mile out-and-back hike in Minnesota with 983 ft gain.

Blue Lake TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Blue Lake Trail

~17 min drive

3.61-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 300 ft elevation gain.

Long Meadow Lake TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Long Meadow Lake Trail

~29 min drive

Point-to-point trail to Long Meadow Lake through meadows and forest.

Jab's Dike TrailPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Jab's Dike Trail

~17 min drive

0.51-mile out-and-back trail in Minnesota with 91 ft gain.

HIKE

Lone Lake Mountain Bike Trail

~14 min drive

Fun 3.97-mile out-and-back mountain bike trail near Lone Lake in Minnesota.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors