Now that we're on the cusp of summer, it's time to start planning our summer bucket lists for the year. Hiking and camping are sure to be at the top, but we can't forget about checking out some of Minnesota's best swimming spots. These 11 spots may not be the most popular, but they will help you escape the heat and humidity all the same. Check them out:
1. Deer Lake
Often called the Lake of Changing Colors, Deer Lake is known to be one of the clearest lakes in all of Minnesota. The 4,000-acre lake is a great spot to take a cooling dip in the summer.
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2. Sand-Bottom Swimming Pond at Flandrau State Park
In lovely New Ulm, Minnesota, Flandrau State Park is one of the most popular parks in the area. The park features a chlorinated pond with a sandy bottom. It'll give you that lake feel without having to wade into more questionable waters.
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3. Spring-Fed Pool At Camden State Park
Here's another sand-bottomed swimming hole,
this one in southwestern Minnesota. The pool is located within the lovely Camden State Park and is fed from a nearby spring.
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4. Hokah Pool
This pool is located along the Root River in southwestern Minnesota. Surrounded by gorgeous bluffs, it's the perfect spot to take a refreshing dive this summer. And it's pretty easy, too. The spring-fed pool comes with two diving boards.
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5. Quarry Park
St. Cloud's Quarry Park is an amazing place to cool off when the humidity rises. After exploring the many hiking trails, slide into the cooling waters at one of two swimming quarries. One features a sandy beach. The other,
high cliffs rise over 115-feet-deep water.
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6. Lake Minnetonka Swim Pond
This spot features a 1.75-acre sand-bottomed pool in Minnetrista. The chlorinated pool has a maximum depth of just 6 feet, making it a good spot to bring kids.
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7. Root River
The Root River Trail is a popular spot for hiking and biking in southern Minnesota. But did you know you can tube the river as well? This makes for a great day of swimming and lounging.
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8. Sand Bar at Afton State Park
When the St. Croix River is at just the right level, it's possible to access a beautiful sand bar at Afton State Park. There, you can lounge on the sandy shore or wade into the water for a refreshing dip.
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9. Beaver Bay
The North Shore has many great swimming spots. Beaver Bay is just one of them. Easily accessible from Highway 61, it's a great place to stop to stretch your legs. When you're done, wade into the cool water of Lake Superior. You'll come out feeling renewed.
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10. Pine Springs Pool
This pool in Blooming Prairie is the best of both worlds for people who love to swim. It's spring-fed and sand-bottomed, making it a great place for those who love lake swimming. But the water is chlorinated to take out anything that might be lurking its bottom.
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11. Chester Woods Swimming Beach
Chester Woods Park is a small park outside of Rochester in the town of Eyota. But it contains a very nice swimming beach. With the sandy beach and lovely wood surroundings, you could do much worse.
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There are so many great lakes in Minnesota, we probably missed a bunch of great ones. Which swimming spots would you add? Let us know in the comments.
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