Top 20 Lakes around Shakopee
Best lakes around Shakopee are located in Scott County, Minnesota, providing diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. The area features several lakes known for their amenities and outdoor activities. These lakes offer a range of experiences, from active recreation to peaceful natural settings.
Best lakes around Shakopee
- The most popular lakes is Staring Lake, a lake that features beautiful forested trails, most of which are paved, circling the lake. It offers a unique perspective on its beauty and provides facilities like toilets, water, and picnic tables.
- Another must-see spot is Riley Lake Park, a lake with a variety of amenities. Visitors can expect a basketball court, a fishing pier, pickleball courts, and picnic areas, alongside a scenic trail with water views and a secluded beach.
- Visitors also love Cleary Lake Regional Park, a lake with a campground, trails, a golf course, and a swimming beach. It is a year-round destination, with trails suitable for hiking and biking in warmer months, transforming into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails in winter.
- Shakopee is known for lakes offering diverse recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, and family-friendly amenities. The area provides a variety of lakes to see and explore, from those with extensive park facilities to those primarily for fishing.
- The lakes around Shakopee are appreciated by the komoot community, with 16 upvotes and 9 photos shared.
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Staring Lake
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Riley Lake Park
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Cleary Lake Regional Park
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CP Rail Regional Trail
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Black Dog Lake
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Tips from the Community
The CP Rail Regional Trail is a planned 21-mile regional corridor that will run from the Minnesota River in the south to the Bassett Creek Regional Trail in the north. The proposed alignment will connect to six regional trails: Nine Mile Creek, Cedar Lake LRT, North Cedar Lake, Luce Line, Bassett Creek, and Crystal Lake. Each of these trails, in turn, connects with many others. Here is a link to the CP Rail Trail Master Plan: https://www.threeriversparks.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/construction/03-21%20CP%20Rail%20Reg.%20Trail%20Master%20Plan%20DRAFT.pdf Since we recently moved to a home very near Hyland Lake Regional Park, Martha and I are looking forward to the completion of the final 1.5 miles of trail connecting the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail to the Minnesota River. We hope this trail, together with the many others it connects to, will help knit Minneapolis together as a community.
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Although this spot offers a close-up view of Staring Lake, if you continue along the Staring Lake Trail around the shoreline, you’ll discover several more viewpoints, especially on the northwest side of the lake.
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This secluded beach looks perfect for a summer break. Bring your swimsuit!
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This secluded beach looks perfect for a summer break. Bring your swimsuit on your ride!
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What a nice new park, I'm guessing this was built or renovated recently.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which lakes around Shakopee are best for family outings?
For family-friendly experiences, Riley Lake Park offers a variety of amenities including a basketball court, fishing pier, pickleball courts, picnic areas, and a secluded beach. Cleary Lake Regional Park is another excellent choice, featuring a swimming beach, picnic areas, and a campground.
Are there good hiking or walking trails around the lakes near Shakopee?
Yes, several lakes offer great trails. Staring Lake features beautiful forested trails, most of which are paved, circling the lake. Riley Lake Park has a scenic trail with water views, and Cleary Lake Regional Park provides an extensive trail system suitable for hiking and biking.
What kind of fishing opportunities are available in the lakes near Shakopee?
The region offers excellent fishing. O'Dowd Lake is highly regarded for bass and northern pike, with some anglers suggesting it could hold a state record. Spring Lake is known as a good walleye lake and also has large crappies. Staring Lake supports various species, including black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, and northern pike.
Can I find wheelchair-accessible paths around the lakes?
Yes, Purgatory Creek Park Pavilion features a pleasant paved trail that loops around Purgatory Creek, passing through wetlands and gardens, offering accessible views including a dock on the water.
Are there any dog-friendly lakes or trails in the Shakopee area?
Round Lake, part of the Purgatory Creek Chain of Lakes, is known to be dog-friendly and features a trail that circles the entire lake, offering waterfront views.
What facilities are available at the lake parks?
Many lake parks are well-equipped. Staring Lake provides toilets, water, and picnic tables. Riley Lake Park offers a basketball court, fishing pier, pickleball courts, and picnic areas. Cleary Lake Regional Park includes a campground, golf course, and swimming beach.
What outdoor activities can I do near these lakes besides hiking?
Beyond hiking, you can enjoy various activities. Cleary Lake Regional Park offers biking in warmer months and transforms into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails in winter. Riley Lake Park has a basketball court and pickleball courts. For cycling enthusiasts, there are numerous routes for gravel biking, road cycling, and mountain biking around Shakopee. You can explore options like the Gravel biking around Shakopee guide or the Road Cycling Routes around Shakopee guide.
Are there any lakes suitable for winter activities?
Yes, Cleary Lake Regional Park is a year-round destination, with its trails converting into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing paths during the winter months. Round Lake also offers ice skating on its rink in winter.
What natural features or wildlife can I expect to see around the lakes?
The lakes and surrounding parks offer diverse natural beauty. You can find forested trails, wetlands, and scenic viewpoints. Staring Lake, for instance, is known for its picturesque views along its shoreline trail. The Purgatory Creek area, near Purgatory Creek Park Pavilion, features wetlands and gardens, providing opportunities for wildlife spotting.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Shakopee?
Visitors appreciate the diverse recreational opportunities, from active pursuits like hiking and biking to peaceful fishing and scenic strolls. The well-maintained trails, family-friendly amenities, and natural beauty of spots like Staring Lake and Riley Lake Park are frequently highlighted.
Are there any specific viewpoints to look out for around the lakes?
Yes, Staring Lake offers several scenic viewpoints along its shoreline trail. Additionally, the Purgatory Creek Park Pavilion provides some of the best views in the area, including a dock on the water with panoramic vistas.
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