Guides/Lake life

Lake Minnetonka Public Boat Launches: 2026 Guide

8 min read · Updated October 30, 2026 · By Bryce Caldwell · 19 public sources

Lake Minnetonka from the east looking west, photographed July 12, 2023 by Tyler Vigen. The aerial view shows the lake's connected bays; use the finder for launch locations and current-source checks.

Lake Minnetonka boat launches have different rules for trailer parking, permits, and operating seasons; Carson's Bay is in Deephaven, where parking across from the ramp requires a seasonal permit. This guide compares 13 locations documented by public agencies and operators, with directions where verified, separate launch and parking costs, and source checks dated October 2, 2026.

At a glance

Guide highlights

  • Carson's Bay is in Deephaven. Its across-road trailer lot requires a parking permit May 1 through October 1; the published 2026 nonresident seasonal parking permit is $120.
  • Gray's Bay Public Landing in Minnetonka publishes three launch lanes and 112 spaces for vehicles with trailers, with seasonal 24-hour use depending on ice and weather.
  • Lake Minnetonka Regional Park publishes 55 trailer spaces and $10 daily, $58 annual, or $29 additional annual trailer parking passes required April 1 through November 30.

Where are the public boat launches on Lake Minnetonka?

This guide covers 13 Lake Minnetonka launch locations: the 12 entries in Hennepin County Water Patrol's inventory, plus St. Louis Bay, documented by Deephaven. Carson's Bay is in Deephaven, Maxwell Bay is in Orono, Howard's Point Marina's docks are in Shorewood, and Tuxedo Road is in Minnetrista. The inventory includes commercial sites whose current launch terms need direct confirmation.

The finder includes Carson's Bay, St. Louis Bay, Gray's Bay, Halstead Bay, Howard's Point Marina, Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Maxwell Bay, North Arm, the former Rockvam site, Spring Park, Surfside, Tuxedo Road, and Wayzata Bay. It is a comparison of documented locations, not an exhaustive count or a promise that every ramp is currently available.

Municipal and operator sources take priority when the county roundup uses a different town name or an older business name. Howard's Point publishes an Excelsior mailing address but identifies its docks as being in Shorewood. The former Rockvam business now operates as Sunset Boat Yards; confirm transient trailer-launch access before towing there.

Launch finder

Sources checked

Compare Lake Minnetonka launch locations

Filter 13 documented locations by city, access type, and published parking details. Open the official source for each launch; route links appear only where the entrance location was verified.

A listing is not confirmation of current ramp access or an available parking space. Rates, hours, seasonal restrictions, construction, and commercial launch eligibility can change. Check current signs and the operator before departure.

Checked against linked public agency and operator sources, not inspected on site. Each entry explains what was confirmed and what still needs a local check. The county amenities map is a 2023 inventory.

Filter launch locations

Showing 13 of 13 locations.

  • Carson's Bay

    Deephaven

    Public access
    Operator
    City of Deephaven
    Location
    Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven; see the city's launch map
    Parking
    Permit trailer lot across from the ramp; separate free trailer lot near City Hall at Cottagewood Road and Minnetonka Boulevard
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    $120 for the published 2026 nonresident seasonal parking permit; required in the across-road trailer lot May 1-October 1
    Season
    City publishes year-round launch access; trailer permit season is May 1-October 1
    Check
    Minnetonka Boulevard permit spaces shown on the city map are cars-only, with no trailers. The $120 charge is parking, not launch admission.

    Source checked · City launch, permit dates, and 2026 nonresident parking rate confirmed; trailer capacity, daily clock hours, and separate launch price not published.

  • St. Louis Bay

    Deephaven

    Public access
    Operator
    City of Deephaven
    Location
    Lake Avenue, Deephaven; see the city's St. Louis Bay marina map
    Parking
    City map marks nearby permit parking; confirm spaces suitable for a vehicle with trailer
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Season
    Specific city entry says closed June 1-August 15; a later page summary uses approximate Memorial Day-Labor Day dates. Confirm with the city.
    Check
    Ask the city about applicable lot and trailer rules; the Carson's Bay $120 parking price does not establish a St. Louis Bay launch charge.

    Source checked · City launch and its conflicting June 1-August 15 and approximate Memorial Day-Labor Day closure descriptions confirmed; parking terms, capacity, and daily hours remain unconfirmed.

  • Gray's Bay Public Landing

    Minnetonka

    Public access
    Operator
    Minnesota DNR and City of Minnetonka
    Location
    County Road 101 South at Gray's Bay Boulevard, Minnetonka
    Parking
    112 vehicle-with-trailer spaces; 21 vehicle-only spaces, including 14 reserved for slip holders
    Hours
    24-hour facility use during the operating season; fuel service hours are separate
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Season
    Approximately April 1-October 31, depending on ice and weather
    Check
    Three launch lanes and 29 permanent slips; permanent slips are not visitor docking. Use the public landing rather than the nearby creek kayak launch.

    Source checked · City location, capacity, facility hours, and approximate season confirmed; separate launch and parking prices not published in the linked city page.

  • Halstead Drive / Halstead Bay

    Minnetrista

    Public access
    Operator
    City of Minnetrista
    Location
    Old Lincoln Avenue right of way off Halstead Drive, Minnetrista
    Parking
    City inventory identifies trailer parking and a turnaround; county map describes limited trailer space
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.

    Source checked · City inventory confirms location and parking type; current count, fees, hours, and seasonal dates not verified.

  • Howard's Point Marina

    Shorewood

    Commercial access
    Operator
    Howard's Point Marina
    Location
    5400 Howards Point Road, Excelsior, MN 55331 (mailing address); docks in Shorewood
    Parking
    No capacity published in the linked source.
    Hours
    Published business hours: daily 8 a.m.-sunset; confirm ramp eligibility and hours
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Season
    2026 ramp restrictions for non-Launch-Pass members: May 25, June 19, July 3-5, and September 7
    Check
    Contact the operator about transient launch eligibility, launch and parking charges, and space for your trailer before towing.

    Source checked · Operator location, business hours, and 2026 holiday limits confirmed; current launch prices, trailer capacity, and full season not published.

  • Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

    Minnetrista

    Public access
    Operator
    Three Rivers Park District
    Location
    4610 County Road 44, Minnetrista, MN 55331
    Parking
    55 spaces for vehicles with trailers, uphill from the ramp
    Hours
    6 a.m.-10 p.m.; the Lake Minnetonka launch opens at 6 a.m.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    $10 daily, $58 annual, or $29 additional annual trailer parking pass; tax included
    Season
    Three Rivers listed the launch open October 30, 2026; trailer parking pass required April 1-November 30. Check current activity status for ramp conditions.
    Check
    Published amenities include a boathouse/toilet building, boat-access pier, and accessible fishing pier. Pass prices are trailer parking charges.

    Source checked · Park address, parking count, hours, trailer pass dates, rates, and an October 30 open status confirmed on Three Rivers pages; daily operating status can change.

  • Maxwell Bay

    Orono

    Public access
    Operator
    Minnesota DNR, identified on the county access map
    Location
    County Road 51 at County Road 135, Orono
    Parking
    County map identifies vehicle-with-trailer and vehicle-only parking; current capacity not verified
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Check
    Orono confirms the concrete access and town location. Check posted site rules for hours and parking terms.

    Source checked · City location and concrete access confirmed; county map supplies operator and parking context. Site-specific fees, hours, and seasonal dates not verified.

  • North Arm / Hendrickson

    Orono

    Public access
    Operator
    Hennepin County public access project
    Location
    County Road 51 / North Shore Drive, Orono; see the city's approach directions
    Parking
    Public access parking; current capacity not verified
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Season
    County schedules phased construction winter 2026-fall 2027; the schedule is not a current closure notice
    Check
    Orono describes a concrete ramp reached south from Highway 12 / Old Crystal Bay Road via County Road 51. County publishes pack-in/pack-out and commercial-operation notices.

    Source checked · City location and county project notices checked; current parking count, site hours, and rates not verified. Confirm construction effects before departure.

  • Former Rockvam site / Sunset Boat Yards

    Spring Park

    Commercial access
    Operator
    Sunset Boat Yards (current business)
    Location
    4068 Sunset Drive, Spring Park, MN 55384
    Parking
    No capacity published in the linked source.
    Hours
    Business hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting. Ramp hours unconfirmed.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Check
    County inventory lists Rockvam as a fee launch; current transient launch access, rates, and trailer parking are unconfirmed. Call 952-471-9515 before towing.

    Source checked · Current business name, address, contact, and business hours confirmed; current public trailer-launch eligibility and charges were not published.

  • Spring Park

    Spring Park

    Public access
    Operator
    Hennepin County Water Patrol
    Location
    4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park
    Parking
    Seven spaces plus a county-identified overflow area at Public Works
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Check
    County describes overflow east on Shoreline Drive via the unnamed road between Bayview Place and Dunwoody Avenue; confirm posted parking rules.

    Source checked · County location, published parking count, and overflow route confirmed; current site fees, hours, and season not published in the source.

  • Surfside Park / Cooks Bay

    Mound

    Public access
    Operator
    City of Mound
    Location
    Surfside Park on Cooks Bay, Mound; see the official lake access map
    Parking
    LMCD identifies public parking and toilets; current trailer capacity not verified
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.
    Check
    Check current approach-road work and parking signs. The older county map's weekend parking note does not establish today's restriction.

    Source checked · County listing and LMCD location and amenities checked; current trailer counts, fees, clock hours, and weekend parking terms not verified.

  • Tuxedo Road / Phelps Island

    Minnetrista

    Public access
    Operator
    City of Minnetrista
    Location
    Tuxedo Road right of way at Phelps Bay, Minnetrista
    Parking
    City inventory identifies an on-site lot; county map describes limited vehicle-with-trailer parking
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.

    Source checked · Municipal inventory confirms location and parking type; exact capacity, current fees, hours, and season not verified.

  • Wayzata Bay / Eastman Lane

    Wayzata

    Public access
    Operator
    City of Wayzata
    Location
    Eastman Lane, Wayzata; see the official access map
    Parking
    County map describes limited vehicle-with-trailer parking; LMCD identifies parking and toilets
    Hours
    Not published; check posted hours.
    Launch fee
    Not published; confirm with the operator.
    Parking fee
    Not published; check parking signs.

    Source checked · County location and LMCD amenities checked; a street number, current capacity, fees, hours, and seasonal dates were not independently verified.

Does Carson's Bay boat launch require a parking permit?

Carson's Bay is a City of Deephaven launch with year-round access; trailer parking across from the ramp requires a permit May 1 through October 1. Deephaven's published 2026 nonresident seasonal Boat Launch Parking Permit costs $120. The $120 charge is for parking; it is not a published price for admission to the boat launch.

Deephaven also identifies free trailer parking in the unpaved lot between the paddleball courts and bike trail near City Hall, at Cottagewood Road and Minnetonka Boulevard. This is a separate lot from the permit lot across from the ramp. Check signs and the city's parking information before choosing a space.

The city's Carson's Bay map marks the permit spaces along Minnetonka Boulevard as cars-only, with no trailers. A parking permit does not make every marked space suitable for a boat trailer. For nearby housing context, start with the guide to living in Deephaven.

Lake Minnetonka launch parking and season comparison
Launch / cityVerified locationParking and fee notesHours / seasonal notes
Carson's Bay / DeephavenMinnetonka Boulevard; city launch map$120 published 2026 nonresident seasonal parking permit for the across-road trailer lot; separate free City Hall trailer lotYear-round launch; permit lot May 1-October 1; clock hours unconfirmed
St. Louis Bay / DeephavenLake Avenue; city marina mapNearby permit parking marked; trailer capacity and applicable lot fees unconfirmedSpecific city entry: closed June 1-August 15; a later summary uses approximate Memorial Day-Labor Day dates. Confirm dates.
Gray's Bay / MinnetonkaCounty Road 101 South at Gray's Bay Boulevard112 trailer spaces; separate launch and parking prices not published on city page24-hour facility use in approximate April 1-October 31 season, ice/weather permitting; fuel hours separate
Halstead Drive / MinnetristaOld Lincoln Avenue right of way off Halstead DriveTrailer parking and turnaround; capacity and fees unconfirmedCurrent clock hours and seasonal dates unconfirmed
Howard's Point / Shorewood5400 Howards Point Road, Excelsior mailing address; docks in ShorewoodCommercial access; launch and parking rates and trailer capacity unconfirmedBusiness: daily 8 a.m.-sunset; non-Launch-Pass ramp exclusions May 25, June 19, July 3-5, September 7 in 2026
Regional Park / Minnetrista4610 County Road 4455 trailer spaces; trailer parking $10 daily, $58 annual, $29 additional annualListed open October 30, 2026; 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; trailer pass required April 1-November 30; check activity status
Maxwell Bay / OronoCounty Road 51 at County Road 135Vehicle-with-trailer and vehicle-only parking on county map; count and parking rate unconfirmedConcrete access; site-specific clock hours and seasonal dates unconfirmed
North Arm / OronoCounty Road 51 / North Shore Drive; city's approach directionsParking count and rate unconfirmed; pack out trashPhased construction planned winter 2026-fall 2027; confirm current effects and posted rules
Former Rockvam / Spring ParkSunset Boat Yards, 4068 Sunset DriveCounty lists fee access; current transient launch eligibility, rates, and trailer parking unconfirmedOperator business hours are published; ramp hours and season need a call
Spring Park / Spring Park4141 Shoreline DriveSeven spaces plus county-published overflow; current fees unconfirmedClock hours and seasonal dates not published in county listing
Surfside / MoundSurfside Park on Cooks Bay; official lake mapPublic parking and toilets; current trailer capacity, fees, and weekend restrictions unconfirmedCheck Mound approach-road notices; clock hours and season unconfirmed
Tuxedo Road / MinnetristaTuxedo Road right of way at Phelps BayOn-site lot; county map describes limited trailer parking; count and fees unconfirmedCurrent clock hours and seasonal dates unconfirmed
Wayzata Bay / WayzataEastman Lane; official lake access mapCounty map describes limited trailer parking; LMCD identifies toilets; current counts and fees unconfirmedCurrent clock hours and seasonal dates unconfirmed
Sources checked October 2, 2026. These 13 entries combine the county's 12-location inventory with Deephaven's St. Louis Bay launch. Unconfirmed details need a call or posted-sign check; the list does not establish current availability.

Which Lake Minnetonka launches publish trailer parking counts?

Gray's Bay Public Landing in Minnetonka publishes 112 spaces for vehicles with trailers, and Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista publishes 55. Hennepin County lists seven spaces at Spring Park, with a separate overflow area. These are published capacities, not live parking reports; the finder identifies other lots where a current count was not verified.

Gray's Bay is at County Road 101 South and Gray's Bay Boulevard. The city and Minnesota DNR jointly manage the facility, which has three launch lanes and 24-hour use during its approximate April 1 through October 31 season, depending on ice and weather. Fuel service has separate hours.

Gray's Bay also has 21 vehicle-only spaces, including 14 reserved for slip holders, and 29 permanent slips. Treat those as separate facilities from trailer parking and visitor docking. Use the public landing intersection when planning to launch a trailered boat onto Lake Minnetonka.

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park is at 4610 County Road 44 in Minnetrista. Three Rivers listed its Lake Minnetonka boat launch open when checked October 30, 2026; use its live activity-status page before departure because conditions can change. The park publishes hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and trailer parking passes required April 1 through November 30: $10 daily, $58 annual, or $29 for an additional annual pass. These prices are trailer parking charges.

Spring Park shares the Water Patrol lot at 4141 Shoreline Drive. The county describes overflow at its Public Works building, east on Shoreline Drive via the unnamed road between Bayview Place and Dunwoody Avenue. Read the county's directions and posted restrictions before relying on overflow parking.

Crane Island seen from the Lake Minnetonka Regional Park boat launch in Minnetrista, photographed July 8, 2016. This shoreline view does not show today's ramp or parking signs.

Which Lake Minnetonka boat launches have seasonal restrictions?

Deephaven's St. Louis Bay launch entry says it closes June 1 through August 15, while a later paragraph on the same page describes an approximate Memorial Day-to-Labor Day closure. Confirm the current dates and parking rules with the city before towing there. Howard's Point Marina also publishes specific 2026 holiday restrictions for boaters without a Launch Pass.

Howard's Point Marina excludes non-Launch-Pass members from its ramp on May 25, June 19, July 3 through July 5, and September 7 during the 2026 season. Its published daily business hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Ask the operator about launch eligibility, current rates, and trailer parking before departure.

North Arm's county project page schedules phased construction from winter 2026 through fall 2027, with peak-season public access prioritized. That schedule does not establish a current closure. The county also publishes a pack-in/pack-out policy for 2026 and notes signs restricting commercial operations; read its current project page before using the access.

For Surfside in Mound, check the city's current watermain project notices for changes to the approach. A scheduled road-work completion date is not confirmation that a route has reopened. At every launch, current signs and operator notices are the final check.

What should I check before towing to a Lake Minnetonka launch?

Before towing to a Lake Minnetonka launch, confirm the ramp's current operating status, the route to its entrance, and the rules for parking your vehicle and trailer. Check launch charges and parking permits separately. A public-access listing, a business's opening hours, or an older lake map does not settle every detail of today's trip.

  • Open the linked city, park, or operator page for your chosen launch.
  • Check the operating season and any construction or holiday restrictions.
  • Confirm where trailers may park and whether a permit or pass is required.
  • Call commercial operators about transient launch access, rates, and trailer parking.
  • Identify a second access whose rules work for your trip before leaving home.

Minnesota DNR's general public-access guidance says there is no launch fee unless an access is within a permit park, and access is normally 24 hours unless posted otherwise. Commercial launch terms and municipal parking policies need their own checks; use the linked local source for each entry.

This guide was checked against public agency and operator pages on October 2, 2026. The county amenities map is a 2023 inventory, used for location and facility context rather than current fee claims. The check was a review of sources, not an on-site inspection. Details absent from a source remain unconfirmed, and the photographs do not document current ramp or signage conditions.

Spotted a changed sign, price, or access rule? Send Bryce a launch-guide correction with the launch name, date, and a source link or photo you have permission to share.

How can I compare homes near Lake Minnetonka boat launches?

When comparing homes near Lake Minnetonka boat launches, consider the tow route, operating season, trailer parking, and recurring permit costs alongside distance. A nearby ramp is useful when its rules fit the way you boat. I would also verify boat and trailer storage rules for each home before treating convenient public access as a reason to buy.

Start with the Minnetonka neighborhood guide for Gray's Bay, the Minnetrista neighborhood guide for the Regional Park, Halstead, and Tuxedo Road, and the Orono neighborhood guide for Maxwell Bay and North Arm. For Howard's Point, use the Shorewood neighborhood guide.

Public launch access and a property's private lake-access rights are separate questions. If boating is part of your home search, I can help compare the practical route from specific homes to the launches you expect to use. The Lake Minnetonka waterfront buying guide covers the separate property questions.

Planning a stop after launching? The guide to Lake Minnetonka restaurants you can reach by boat distinguishes restaurant slips from public docks with a walk to dinner.

Bryce’s take

For a home search near Lake Minnetonka, I would compare the route to the launch you plan to use, the trailer parking, and the season before focusing on distance alone. Tell me how you like to boat, and I can help you compare the homes and access points that fit that routine.

Bryce Caldwell
Bryce Caldwell
RE/MAX Results · Minnetonka, MN

Key takeaways

  • Carson's Bay is in Deephaven. Its across-road trailer lot requires a parking permit May 1 through October 1; the published 2026 nonresident seasonal parking permit is $120.
  • Gray's Bay Public Landing in Minnetonka publishes three launch lanes and 112 spaces for vehicles with trailers, with seasonal 24-hour use depending on ice and weather.
  • Lake Minnetonka Regional Park publishes 55 trailer spaces and $10 daily, $58 annual, or $29 additional annual trailer parking passes required April 1 through November 30.
  • Maxwell Bay's concrete public access is in Orono at County Road 51 and County Road 135.
  • Hennepin County lists 12 Lake Minnetonka launch locations; this guide includes those locations plus Deephaven's separately documented St. Louis Bay launch, for 13 entries.

Your lake-access home search

Compare homes with convenient Lake Minnetonka access.

Start with how you use the lake. Consider the drive to your preferred launch, trailer parking, and documented water access when shortlisting homes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Carson's Bay boat launch cost?
Deephaven publishes a $120 seasonal Boat Launch Parking Permit for nonresidents in 2026. It is a parking charge for the trailer lot across from Carson's Bay during May 1 through October 1, not a published launch-admission fee. The city also identifies a separate free trailer lot near City Hall; check current signs and parking rules.
Is the Gray's Bay Dam kayak launch the same as the public boat landing?
Gray's Bay Public Landing is the Lake Minnetonka trailer launch at County Road 101 South and Gray's Bay Boulevard. The nearby Gray's Bay Dam canoe/kayak access serves Minnehaha Creek. Use the public landing location when routing a trailered boat to the lake.
How much is the Lake Minnetonka Regional Park boat launch?
Three Rivers Park District requires a trailer parking pass April 1 through November 30: $10 daily, $58 annual, or $29 for an additional annual pass. Those prices are for trailer parking. The Lake Minnetonka Regional Park launch opens at 6 a.m., and published park hours end at 10 p.m.
Bryce Caldwell

Written by

Bryce Caldwell

Bryce Caldwell is a RE/MAX Results agent who knows the Lake Minnetonka corridor and the Twin Cities west metro. Full-time since 2022 with a 5.0 Zillow rating across 27 reviews, he gives buyers and sellers honest, no-pressure guidance — and writes these guides.

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