Exploring Minnesota: The Best Lakes and Rivers for Boating Adventures
One of the most un-Minnesotan things a person can do is toot their own horn, but when it comes to our lakes, rivers, and the environments around them, Minnesota is the best. Seriously. Our state isn’t named after a Dakota word that can be translated as sky-colored water for no reason.
And there is a lot of that water to explore. With 11,842 officially recognized lakes and approximately 6,564 natural rivers, Minnesota is a boater’s paradise. Even if we limit ourselves to looking at popular boat rental destinations in Minnesota, we could be here all day.
So why is Minnesota so great for boating? What are the best spots in the state to get out on the water? What makes them unique? And how can you best get yourself out there to live your best life?
What Makes Minnesota Great for Boating?
Water is hugely important to Minnesota’s cultural identity. That can seem like a pretentious statement, but when you break it down, it really is true. From our largest cities to our smallest towns, we practically define ourselves by what body of water we are closest to.
You can check out the Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca, you can get the best mix of urban and lakeshore life at Lake Nokomis or Bde Maka Ska, you can hit any number of remote fishing spots up north, you can experience the pristine beauty of the Boundary Waters, you can purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka, and so much more.
The sheer number of boating destinations in Minnesota is staggering. And because life in and on the water is such an integral part of our culture, there is a great deal of infrastructure in place to make it easy to get out on the water—even if you don’t own a boat.
Whether you want to cruise down a river or live it up on a lake, you can rent a boat and do it. So what are some of the most popular boat rental destinations in Minnesota for you to consider for your next aquatic adventure?
Incredible Boating Destinations
This list will not be comprehensive because there are so many incredible spots for boating in the great state of Minnesota—but these locations are all fantastic spots with easy boat rental availability.
Lake Minnetonka
Nestled in the middle of a few suburban municipalities, Lake Minnetonka has everything. Do you want to fish? Waterski? Throw a floating party? Check out incredible lakeside architecture? Eat great food? You can do all of this within the 100 miles of Lake Minnetonka shoreline.
Big Sandy Lake
Minnesotans love their walleye, and there are few spots with better fishing than Big Sandy Lake. Consisting of several bays and coves and basins with a variety of depths, there are a lot of different fish anglers can go after here as well as a beautiful resort that can serve as your home base.
St Croix River
The St. Croix is one of the best rivers for boating in Minnesota. Many boaters will start out from Stillwater and take in the sights, the fishing, and the atmosphere of the incredible river towns that dot the banks of the river as it winds its way southward.
Gull Lake
No list of popular boat rental destinations in Minnesota would be complete without mentioning Gull Lake. Located in the Brainerd Lakes area, Gull Lake features 10,000 acres of water as well as access to smaller, surrounding lakes. At that size, there is plenty of open water for any activity you like.
Mississippi River
Have you ever wanted to see what the world looks like from the waters of the Mighty Mississippi? There are areas of the river that are specifically designated for recreational boating, so you can safely experience one of the greatest natural wonders in America with your family.
Lake Vermillion
We cannot forget the premier lake of the Iron Range—Lake Vermillion. The lake is deep, it is peppered with little islands to explore, and has clear channel markers to help you find the best path to a nice, secluded bay to relax on.
Renting the Right Boat
One thing that all of these destinations and more have in common is the presence of Your Boat Club—home of popular boat rentals in Minnesota. Whether you are looking to get out on a river or lake, YBC can get you in the right boat to meet your needs.
You don’t need to own a boat to be able to enjoy the gorgeous waters of Minnesota. Whether you want to navigate a river or cruise around a lake, you can rent the right boat for your itinerary and return it when you’re done.
Each of these popular boat rental destinations in Minnesota feature different activities at different times of the year—heading out on the lake is very different on fishing opener weekend than on the Fourth of July, for example.
And different locations and kinds of boats have different rental options. Many boat rentals will be single day rentals, but in some cases, multi-day boat rentals are available. As long as you have an idea of what you’d like to do, you can rent the right boat for you.
The Water is Calling
Rivers and lakes are as much a part of Minnesota as Prince music or professional sports teams falling apart in the playoffs (though the rivers and lakes won’t break your heart like the sports will).
The list of popular boat rental destinations in Minnesota that we have just gone through could be three times as long as it is, and we still wouldn’t have mentioned every great spot in the state. There really is nothing quite like boating here.
Your Boat Club has locations—often multiple locations, in fact—at all of the previously mentioned great boating spots. And that isn’t all. YBC’s presence can be felt at many more destinations across Minnesota.
So, if you want to get out on the water, check out our locations and see how we can make your aquatic dreams come true.
