Stroll Then Swim on This Beach Hike in Minnesota That’s Perfect for Summer

We Minnesotans embrace our winters, but many of us live for summer, when cold weather gives way to long, warm days, and snowshoeing or ice fishing are forgotten in favor of hitting the trails and splashing in the refreshing water of a lakefront beach. On particularly warm summer days in Minnesota, in fact, combining a hike with a swim feels just about perfect. One spot that I love for enjoying a beachfront splash after a few miles on the trail is the beautiful, 170-acre Bryant Lake Regional Park in Eden Prairie.

The park offers a a couple of options in terms of trails. The first is the easy, paved trail between Bryant Lake Regional Park and Lone Lake Park in Minnetonka. At 4.5 miles, out and back, the trail is popular with cyclists, as well as those traveling on foot. It winds through both parks, where you can enjoy wooded pathways and water views. A portion of the trail does follow a city street, albeit a fairly quiet one, as you pass between the parks, so the nature spell can become a bit broken along this stretch.

I prefer the 2-mile Bryant Lake Nature Trail, which lies entirely within the eponymous park and near the lake for which it's named. Although you will skirt a parking lot and an internal park road over sections of the easy course, most of the partially-paved, looped route stays in the woods or on trails along the lake or marshes.

Both trails offer little in terms of elevation gain, and both are wide, well-maintained paths with level footing. The trails intersect and criss-cross one another, as well, so you're not bound to follow the formal routes. You can mix and match as much as you like.

Better yet, no matter what route you hike, you can end up on the sand at Bryant Lake Beach. There's really no better way to cool off after a hot day on the park's trails. If you leave your car in the lot near the beach before setting off on your hike—it works as a fine starting point for either trail—you won't have to bring your beach gear with you. Restrooms, changing areas, and even a concession stand are available nearby, so you could even grab a refreshment to enjoy while you're beaching it.

A hike and beach swim: What a wonderful way to spend a summer day in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Visit Bryant Lake Regional Park on the Three Rivers Park District website for more information about all it has to offer, including programming and disc golf. If you're feeling hungry after your day in the park, make your way a couple miles north of Bryant Lake to yum! Kitchen and Bakery, which serves some of my favorite soups in Minnesota, along with a solid selection of tasty sandwiches and salads.

Do you ever hit the beach for a lake swim after hiking in Minnesota? We'd love to hear all about your favorite places to hike and swim in the Bold North.