Swimming Holes in Minnesota

Minnesota swimming is lake country — 10,000 of them. For swimming hole geography, the Driftless Area of the southeast corner is the exception: limestone bluffs and clear spring-fed streams that look like Vermont. The Root River corridor near Lanesboro has swimming access. Crow Wing River State Forest has canoe-country swimming in the central lakes belt. The Boundary Waters has cold, clear lake swimming in the wilderness area above Ely — the lake water near the Canadian border is clear enough to see 20 feet down.

Always check current conditions before visiting — water levels, algae advisories, and access roads change seasonally. Never swim alone in remote sites. Tell someone your plans. Explore all swimming holes on the Trek4Free map →