Boating in the Twin Cities Metro
The Twin Cities metro has an extraordinary boating culture. From sailing on White Bear Lake to casual pontoon cruises on smaller lakes, the options are vast and accessible.
Right Now: Late-Fall Boating
Late October is quietly the best time to be on the water. The launches on White Bear Lake, Forest Lake, and the St. Croix stay open until freeze-up, the summer crowds are gone, and the mornings are crisp. The DNR's low-water warning from September 3 is still the operative guidance with the drought ongoing, so scout a shallow ramp before you back the trailer in. The Stillwater River Boats wrapped their 2026 public season on Sunday, October 18, and St. Croix River Cruises keeps sailing fall color cruises out of Hudson's Lakefront Park through late October, with the Italian Sunset Dinner Cruise running through October 23. The Stillwater Lift Bridge keeps its regular schedule (staffed 8 AM to midnight, lifts about every half hour when boat traffic is present) through late October. Two travel notes: MnDOT is closing the Highway 243 bridge at Osceola for replacement beginning this month, late October 2026, with the crossing set to stay closed through fall 2027 (official detours run via Highway 8 at Taylors Falls, about 15 minutes added, or Highway 36 at Stillwater, about 30 minutes added), and the northern boat ramp and parking lot at Osceola Landing closed in mid-September and will stay closed through late summer 2028, while the south launch remains accessible. If you keep your boat in past Labor Day, you already know the secret: the water has never been quieter.
Types of Boating
Sailing, power boating, pontooning, kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, and waterskiing are all popular. White Bear Lake is known for its sailing culture, while smaller lakes like Long Lake and Bald Eagle Lake are better suited for recreational boating and fishing.
Public Boat Launches
Most lakes in the metro have at least one public boat access point. The MN DNR Boat Launch Finder is the best resource for locating launches on any lake in the state.
Beyond the Lakes
- St. Croix National Scenic Riverway — Explore the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers by canoe, kayak, or boat — a stunning national waterway just a short drive from the Twin Cities lakes.
See also: White Bear Lake Boat Launches and Lake Guides.