1. Bde Maka Ska Park

0

Minneapolis, MN

Cancel

Open app

Search

Bde Maka Ska Park

4.3 (133 reviews)

Bde Maka Ska Park Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Bde Maka Ska Park

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

See all

Photo of Lucy
0
7
7

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Risa Y.
209
835
2264

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Bruce K.
2443
26535
79377

4 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 10

4 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Nicole D.
58
61
279

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Fox E.
4530
16894
49994

8 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Daniel S.
1440
1702
13884

7 years ago

Helpful 12
Thanks 0
Love this 12
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0
Photo of Dominik D.
319
5950
11114

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 23
Thanks 0
Love this 21
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

16 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 0

19 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Sarah S.
1
103
68

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ada F.
597
541
8432

11 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 0
Love this 13
Oh no 0
Photo of Annie D.
2806
913
2632

16 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 13
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 8
Oh no 0
Photo of Chue Y.
132
28
37

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 4

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

Read more highlights

Verify this business for free

People searched for Parks 2,639 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Lake Nokomis - Ice cold hockey

Lake Nokomis

4.5(59 reviews)
4.2 mi•Nokomis

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!

Lovely little sandy beach with lifeguards, bouyed water boundaries, and semi-private shower and…read morechanging areas. Closest to a California beach experience I've found in the Twin Cities thus far.

Photos
Lake Nokomis - On a Swan Boat

On a Swan Boat

Lake Nokomis - Play equipment and rentals at Main Beach

Play equipment and rentals at Main Beach

Lake Nokomis

See all

Bde Maka Ska Park - parks - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...