The Ultimate Guide on Things to Do in Prior Lake, MN
If you are looking to enjoy all that lake life in Minnesota has to offer, you cannot go wrong with Prior Lake. Located just outside the urban center of Minneapolis and nestled on the shores of Upper and Lower Prior Lake, this hidden gem is a perfect jumping off point for boating, dining, and family-friendly recreation. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or an extended stay there is something for everyone, no matter the season, and especially in the warmer summer months. Let’s take a look at your ultimate guide of things to do in Prior Lake and get you ready to enjoy Minnesota lake life at its best.
Explore the Lake: Boating, Rentals and Water Fun
Given its name sake, it is not a surprise that the small city of Prior Lake is surrounded by the 1,340 acres of Upper and Lower Prior Lake, one of the most popular recreational lakes in Minnesota, which is saying a lot as the state boasts more than 10,000. The two connected lakes are some of the larger lakes near Minneapolis making it easy to do a Prior Lake day trip from the city or a fun weekend getaway, MN lake style.
The city of Prior Lake though is located near 15 lakes total, including Upper and Lower Prior Lake and the 590 acres of Spring Lake, which is connected to them by a natural channel. All in all, lakes are the centerpiece of the area, making it an ideal place to explore lake activities. From pontoon cruising and fishing to water sports, such as tubing, paddleboarding, and more, this small city of almost 30,000 knows how to offer up water fun.
Boat Rentals
Boating on Upper and Lower Prior Lake is made easy with Prior Lake boat rentals. You do not have to own a boat to enjoy the area, with easy access through boat rental services, including pontoon and fishing boats. There are public launch sites available, including those managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at Dewitt Access and Sand Point Access. Your Boat Club, located at Water’s Edge Marina in Prior Lake provides both daily rentals and seasonal memberships for you to easily explore this popular boating paradise.
Swimming Beaches
There are also two public swimming beaches, Sand Point Beach and Watzl’s Beach, operated by the City of Prior Lake. They are maintained throughout the year, including water quality monitoring, and typically opened between Memorial Day and Labor Day, depending on the weather.
Sand Point Beach, the larger and more popular of the two, is open from 5AM-10PM daily and offers a wide variety of activities and services, including picnic shelters, a playground, restrooms, sand volleyball courts, bean bag boards, a fishing pier, day use boat slip rentals, and canoe, kayak, and paddle board racks.
The more secluded Watzl’s Beach is accessed best from the lake by boat, making it an enjoyable spot to pull up for a swim while on the water. It can be reached through a half-mile walk from the parking area in Lakefront Park.
Water Activities
Prior Lake water activities include both leisure recreation and watersports. Boat sports like waterskiing, wakeboarding, surfing, and tubing are all popular along with paddle sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Swimming, fishing, and even scuba diving are easily enjoyable water activities in Prior Lake. With so many possibilities and variety, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Dining in Prior Lake: Dockside, Patio, or Grab-in-Go
No leisure time is complete without taking in the local flavor and dining options. With such easy access to the lake there is no shortage of restaurants on Prior Lake, including dock-and-dine options as you explore the lake by boat.
Charlie's on Prior
One local lakeside favorite is Charlie’s on Prior, a year-round neighborhood restaurant and marina that offers an excellent dock-and-dine option during the summer months. Catering to lakeside amenities, you can slip into a seat in their upper dining room overlooking the lake, on their outdoor patio, or their waterfront bar for an enjoyable dining experience. Offering everything from appetizers, salads, tacos, pizzas, and sandwiches to pastas and entrees along with a variety of beers on tap and creative cocktails, their menu is sure to please everyone in your group.
Boathouse Brothers Brewing
Located blocks from Lakefront Park in downtown Prior Lake, this local brew house is filled with great beers and an homage to lake life in Minnesota. Their locally brewed ales, lagers, stouts and IPA’s are on tap and ready for you to savor in their relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Other great restaurants nearby offering patio seating include:
The Pointe Grille and Bar, which also has live music and bands
Slate North or The Meadows Barr and Grille, both with views of the golf course
T.J. Hooligans for pub eats and karaoke
Perron’s Sul Lago for a quiet atmosphere and Italian fare
Pau Hana is a Hawaiian spot serving island flavors, tropical cocktails, and laid-back vibes right across the street.
For grab-and-go options there is Edelwiss Bakery in downtown offering homemade breads, pastries, sandwiches, and desserts, or Lakeside Eats and Treats and Ze’s Diner.
Hit the Trails or the Casino for Land-Based Fun
If you do not want to spend the entire day on the water, there are other attractions in Prior Lake such as nature trails, local parks, golf courses, and entertainment, especially at the nearby casino on Mystic Lake.
Clearly Lake Regional Park
As one of the top Twin Cities outdoor escapes in the south metro, Clearly Lake Regional Park offers year-round recreation for visitors, including hiking, biking, boating, golfing, paddling, skiing, fishing, and swimming. It includes a campground, picnic area, swimming beach along with a golf course, off-leash dog area, cross-country ski trails, and other amenities. Located on Clearly Lake south of downtown, it is a jewel of the county.
Mystic Lake Casino
A quick four miles from the city of Prior Lake is Mystic Lake and among the many things to do near Mystic Lake is to take in the live entertainment, gaming, and nightlife of the Mystic Lake Casino.
Lakefront Park
As the name suggests, on the shores of lake within the city of Prior Lake is Lakefront Park, offering a multitude of free things to do in Prior Lake, including free family events and concerts throughout the summer. The park has a children’s playground, picnic shelters with grills, baseball and soccer fields, basketball and volleyball courts, a fishing dock, a nature preserve, a gazebo, and an amphitheater. There are also biking and hiking trails along Prior Lake for more outdoor adventures in the area. Drinking water, restrooms, and electricity are also available in the park. In the winter months, it offers skating rinks, a sledding hill, and a warming house.
Local Golf Courses
If your leisure time is not complete without a round of golf, Prior Lake has you covered with several golf course options, including Wilds Golf Club, Legends Club, Clearly Lake Golf, and The Meadows at Mystic Lake.
Family-Friendly Activities and Seasonal Events
No travel guide of things to do in Prior Lake would be complete without a guide to local events and year-round activities that draw families, from 4th of July fireworks to ice fishing in winter, these activities abound. And although the best time to visit Prior Lake may be summer, year-round activities, such as Winterfest along with ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are available too.
Prior Lake Farmers Market
Shop the local sourced food and goods at the Prior Lake Farmers Market on Main Avenue every Saturday from 8AM-Noon from May through October. Find a wide variety of items from locally grown fresh produce to homemade bath soaps, jellies, jams, salsas, jewelry, bread, maple syrup, and more.
Lakefront Music Festival in July
The expansive and well-equipped Lakefront Park is home to the Lakefront Music Festival during a weekend every July and since its inception in 2010, it has grown to one of the largest and more popular outdoor music festivals in the Twin Cities metro.
Prior Lake Days in August
A great way to celebrate summer in downtown Prior Lake with a weekend filled with music, food, and family-friendly activities, including the Friday Night Sip and Stroll, Primrose Kiddies Parade, and Bingo at the Boathouse along with inflatables, vendors, balloon artists, face painting, food trucks, and the crowning of the MN Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
Dakotah Meadows RV Park
One of the larger, premiere RV parks in the area, Dakotah Meadows is located near Mystic Lake and offers a place to stay and enjoy the outdoors, including campfires, sunrises, and nature’s tranquility.
Viking Fest Minnesota
Held at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in October, this festival celebrates Viking culture with live combat, entertainment, food, crafts, and an array of hands-on activities for the whole family.
Pleasant Street Art Walk
This newer event in downtown Prior Lake celebrating its seventh annual celebration in September 2025, allows for a chance to explore local art and culture along with food trucks, live music, and live demonstrations. The festival features over 70 local and regional artists with fun for everyone.
Visit Prior Lake, Minnesota
From boating and water activities and exploring nature to lakeside dining and enjoying local festivals and entertainment, the wide range of things to do in Prior Lake will have something for everyone to enjoy and remember. Plan your visit for the summer months and rent a boat to experience this hidden gem and lake life oasis in the best way possible.
