Lake Minnetonka
Public Boat Launches

The busiest and most accessible public boat launch on Lake Minnetonka, located at the eastern outlet near the historic Gray's Bay Dam. This joint DNR/City of Minnetonka facility offers three concrete ramp lanes and 112 vehicle-with-trailer parking spaces — the largest capacity of any public launch on the lake. The ramp descends directly into Gray's Bay with quick access to the full lake. Also on site: 29 permanent boat slips, fuel, restrooms, and a marina office. Expect high traffic on summer weekends — arrive early for a parking spot.

Located on Minnetonka Boulevard in Deephaven adjacent to the Carson's Bay bridge, this DNR-managed launch is the primary trailered-boat ramp serving the southern shore near Excelsior. The two-lane concrete ramp drops into the quiet no-wake waters of Carson's Bay, which earns an 'A' water quality rating from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. A short run south opens into Excelsior Bay and full lake access. Seventeen on-site trailer spaces make this a manageable, lower-traffic alternative to the busy Gray's Bay launch on the east side.

The Spring Park Bay DNR access (also known as the Spring Park Boat Ramp) is located on Shoreline Drive in Spring Park, adjacent to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol station. The three-lane concrete ramp and ADA-accessible facility launches directly into Spring Park Bay, which connects north to Maxwell Bay and the broader upper lake. An additional block away, Hennepin County Public Works provides supplemental parking. This is one of the more generously equipped mid-lake access points on Lake Minnetonka.

The North Arm access (DNR site WAS01235) is managed by Hennepin County and sits at the southern end of the long, narrow North Arm bay. Two ADA-accessible concrete lanes and 64 total parking spaces make it one of the best-equipped launches on the upper lake. The North Arm is the lake's longest finger bay — calm, scenic, and far less trafficked than eastern bays — a favorite for anglers, kayakers, and paddleboarders. Crystal Bay is a short run south, with Wayzata Bay and the full lower lake beyond. Note: Hennepin County plans a full reconstruction of this site, anticipated Fall 2026–2027.

The Halsted Bay City Ramp, operated by the City of Minnetrista, is a simple one-lane gravel launch at the west end of Halstead Drive — giving local boaters access to Halsted Bay and the western main lake. Halsted Bay is among the quietest and most scenic bays on all of Lake Minnetonka, with calm waters ideal for kayaking, fishing, and watching wildlife. Free on-street parking lines Halstead Drive. For a full-service alternative on the same part of the lake, the Three Rivers Regional Park launch (entry #7) is located nearby on South Upper Lake.

The Phelp's Bay DNR access serves the western mid-section of Lake Minnetonka in Minnetrista via a natural-surface single-lane ramp — making it one of the most rustic access points on the lake. With only three parking spaces, this launch is best suited for car-top watercraft and small trailered boats seeking a quiet, uncrowded entry. Named after Carrington Phelps, who owned several hundred acres in the area, Phelps Bay is characterized by shallower, warmer water than the main lake — a productive fishing spot for largemouth bass and northern pike.

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park (Three Rivers Park District) operates the most amenity-rich boat launch on all of Lake Minnetonka. Located at 4610 County Road 44 in Minnetrista, the two-lane ADA-accessible concrete ramp puts boaters on South Upper Lake, which connects west to Halsted Bay — the quietest, most remote corner of the entire lake. The park offers 55 trailer spaces, 100 car spaces, a swimming beach, campground, picnic shelters, and multi-use trails — making it a complete full-day family destination. South Upper Lake reaches a maximum depth of 84 feet.

The Maxwell Bay DNR access offers three concrete lanes and 95 parking spaces — one of the highest-capacity launches on the upper lake. Located on North Shore Drive in Orono, it provides direct entry to Maxwell Bay, which connects east to Crystal Bay (known for its clear, deep waters) and south to Wayzata Bay. Water depths in Maxwell Bay reach 43 feet, making it excellent for walleye, northern pike, and bass. The wooded North Shore Drive corridor gives this launch a scenic, peaceful character far removed from the busy east-end ramps.

Mounds Bay Park provides public access to the western portion of Lake Minnetonka in the heart of Mound via a single-lane concrete ramp. The launch opens to the main lake body, with quick access to Harrison Bay to the east and Jenning's Bay to the south — popular destinations for fishing and recreational cruising. With 25 parking spaces and a convenient central Mound location, this launch is a practical option for local boaters who want to avoid the longer drive to the busier east-side ramps.

A simple public gravel boat launch operated by the City of Tonka Bay, located on the south shore of Echo Bay with easy access to Gideon's Bay. This is a drop-in only access point — there is no on-site parking and no nearby street parking that can accommodate a car with a trailer. Plan accordingly: this launch is best suited for car-top watercraft or situations where a second driver can move the tow vehicle after dropping the boat. Echo Bay opens directly into Gideon's Bay, one of the lake's more scenic southern bays with an 'A' water quality rating from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Old Orchard Park (adjacent) provides a fishing pier, picnic tables, and grills.