5 Best State Park Beaches in Minnesota to Visit to Close Out Summer

With all of our lakes and rivers, nobody should be surprised by the number of incredible beaches we have in Minnesota. I think these five are the best state park beaches in Minnesota, and you ought to try to visit one (or all) of them before summer fades away.

1. McCarthy Beach State Park - Side Lake

You'll find McCarthy Beach State Park near the small northern Minnesota community of Side Lake, about half an hour north of Hibbing. Despite its relatively remote location, the park made a big splash when a national publication included its Sturgeon Lake swimming beach on a list of the 17 best beaches in the United States. With its amenities, long, golden-sand strand, and gradual slope into the lake, I think it's probably the best state park beach in Minnesota, which makes it a perfect destination—or stop—on a late summer trip Up North.

2. Big Bog State Recreation Area - Waskish

You'll find another of the best state park beaches in Minnesota along the shore of Upper Red Lake in Big Bog State Recreation Area. The beach is level and slopes gradually into the water of the massive lake—it's the largest that lies within Minnesota's borders and the 16th largest in the country—making it perfect for relaxing and splashing around on an August day. Picnic tables and bathrooms make it easy to spend a day here. Before or after your beach day, be sure to take some time to stroll on the mile-long boardwalk into the park's eponymous bog—it's one of my favorite state park experiences.

3. Father Hennepin State Park - Isle

Closer to the center of the state, in Isle, you'll find Father Hennepin State Park on the southeast shore of Mille Lacs Lake. This lovely beach with a roped-off swimming area is surrounded by a grassy green space with benches and picnic tables, so it's ideal for bringing a picnic and setting up camp for a day—or for visiting from your site in one of the park's two campgrounds.

4. Zippel Bay State Park - Williams

It seems like many of the best state park beaches are a bit remote, because another of my favorites is in Zippel Bay State Park on the southern shore of Lake of the Woods. The sand is fine and white. The water is a little rocky, so you probably want water shoes or sandals for wading, but the beach is a lovely place to sit and watch the watery expanse (the country's sixth largest lake) spread out before you while aquatic birds spiral in the sky overhead.

5. Afton State Park - Afton

Closer to the Cities, you'll find the beautiful St. Croix River beach at Afton State Park. While it's within easier reach for more Minnesotans, getting to the beach here requires either a half-mile hike or arriving by boat—but it's worth making the effort. The sand is soft and the water is slack (at normal levels) in this section of the river.

You've still got some time to enjoy summer in Minnesota, so why not visit one of these wonderful state park beaches before autumn rolls around? Many must-visit beaches are in local or regional parks, like Bryant Lake or Park Point—perhaps the best beach in the Land of 10,000 Lakes—but don't forget these beaches in our state parks. Do you have a favorite state park beach in Minnesota? We'd love to hear about your favorites.