Minnetonka: Trails, Parks and History

Minnetonka offers several specific options to consider for a stay: regional trails, parks, waterfront recreation, and a historic house. If you’re looking for a hotel in Minnetonka, deciding what you want to focus on during your trip can help narrow down your choices: Would you like to include one of the named trails, explore parkland, enjoy recreational activities at Shady Oak Beach, or plan a tour of the Burwell House? The distinctions below give you an objective basis for choosing your destination based on your interests.

Regional Trails and How to Find Them

The Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail runs through Minnetonka, as does the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail. If you’re including one of these regional trails in your trip plans, its full name can help you keep track of which trail you mean. The trail network at Purgatory Community Preserve also connects to the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail, two miles from the preserve. The two-mile distance indicates how far the connection is from the preserve; it does not describe the length of the trail network within the preserve.

Parks with Distinctive Features

Lone Lake Community Park and Preserve is in southeastern Minnetonka. It has almost two miles of formal trails. Big Willow Community Preserve and Athletic Complex covers 95 acres and offers views of Minnehaha Creek. The figures refer to different things: almost two miles describes the trails at Lone Lake, while 95 acres is the area of Big Willow. You can therefore compare trail length and overall area separately; the creek views are another landscape feature of Big Willow.

Recreation at Shady Oak Beach

Shady Oak Beach and Play Area offers swimming, a multigenerational play area, a diving tower, and beach volleyball. Canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent. When planning, you can distinguish between the recreational activities listed and whether you’d also like to rent equipment. Rentals are subject to seasonal availability; if you’re planning to rent a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, check availability in advance.

Architecture and Tours at the Burwell House

The Charles H. Burwell House is an Italianate Victorian residence built in 1883 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its construction date and architectural style give you a specific point of reference if architectural history is one of your travel interests.

Tours of the Burwell House are available from June through September and during annual special events. If you’re planning a tour, compare the dates with your travel dates. Because seasonal availability can change, it’s a good idea to check current tour dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: St. Louis Park, Wayzata, Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, Golden Valley, Edina, Rogers, Richfield.

For the broader travel overview: Hennepin.