Bde Maka Ska Lake
Urban Minneapolis lake formerly named Lake Calhoun
Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) forms part of Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes; visitors swim, sail, bike the lakeshore path and use nearby parks and boat launches.
Bde Maka Ska at a Glance#
Address: Bde Maka Ska Regional Park (near Lake Street & 1st Ave S), Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States
Website: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/park-ways/parks/bde-maka-ska-regional-park/
Hours: Park grounds accessible 24 hours; park facilities vary seasonally
Admission: Free (park permits may apply for certain activities)
About Bde Maka Ska#
Bde Maka Ska is a freshwater lake in Minneapolis that is part of the city’s Chain of Lakes. The name Bde Maka Ska is the Dakota name for the lake and was restored to official use after being known for many years by an English name.
The lake’s shoreline includes public beaches, boat access and paved paths that are used for walking, running and cycling. It is a focal point for outdoor recreation within the city and for community events at the lakefront.
Historically the lake has been central to the area’s Indigenous Dakota presence and later to Minneapolis’s urban recreation planning; the recent name change reflects efforts to acknowledge that Indigenous history. Facilities around the lake have been maintained and upgraded to support year-round use.
Bde Maka Ska lies in west-central Minneapolis near the Uptown neighborhood and is one of several interconnected lakes that together form the city’s prominent urban lake system.
- Name restoration: the lake’s Dakota name was officially restored by local authorities after longstanding community efforts to recognize Indigenous place names
- Recreation: popular for swimming, boating and year-round lakeshore recreation as part of Minneapolis’s Chain of Lakes
How to Get to Bde Maka Ska#
Bde Maka Ska is west of downtown Minneapolis; street address points to park entrances around Lake Street and Park Avenue. Take Metro Transit buses that serve the Uptown area or drive - several paid lots and limited street parking are available. The Midtown Greenway and Minnehaha Creek Trail connect the lake to city cycling routes.
Tips for Visiting Bde Maka Ska#
- Rent a bike at one of the nearby lakeshore shops and cycle the multi-use path for a wider perspective of the lake's shoreline.
- Go early in the morning for calm water and to see paddlers and anglers; late afternoon light is best for photography.
- Note that some parkside facilities require Minneapolis Park & Recreation permits for organized groups-check ahead.
Best Time to Visit Bde Maka Ska#
Summer is most active for recreation; shoulder seasons are quieter and good for walking or birdwatching; winter turns the lake into a different kind of playground for cold-weather enthusiasts.
Weather & Climate near Bde Maka Ska#
Bde Maka Ska's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (749 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -16° - -6° | -17° | 24 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -12° - -2° | -12° | 19 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -5° - 5° | -4° | 46 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 2° - 14° | 6° | 59 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 9° - 22° | 15° | 85 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 14° - 27° | 20° | 108 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 101 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 16° - 27° | 21° | 104 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 22° | 16° | 74 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 15° | 8° | 56 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 5° | -3° | 48 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -12° - -3° | -13° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
