Homes on Priest's Bay
Lake Minnetonka
Western Gateway — Between Halsted's and West Upper Lake
Priest's Bay, situated west of Cook's Bay, bears the name of J.D. Priest, a farmer who acquired land on the bay's north shore in 1876. In 1880, a channel was dredged and expanded in Priest's Bay to facilitate boat access into Halsted's Bay, the farthest wester…
Median Price
$925K
Price Range
$430K+
Avg Days on Market
44 days
Water Depth
10–20 ft
Water Quality
Good
Boat Activity
Calm
Priest's Bay from Above
Drone aerial — The PRO Team
Waterfront Shoreline
Prime frontage — 10–20 ft depth
Life on the Lake
Calm boat traffic
Overview — Priest's Bay
Priest's Bay, situated west of Cook's Bay, bears the name of J.D. Priest, a farmer who acquired land on the bay's north shore in 1876. In 1880, a channel was dredged and expanded in Priest's Bay to facilitate boat access into Halsted's Bay, the farthest western inlet of Lake Minnetonka. Found near Westedge Boulevard and Hardscrabble Point, the bay features water depths from 10 to 20 feet.
Living on Priest's Bay
Priest's Bay offers quiet western lake living with the added distinction of the historic 1880 channel that enabled access to Halsted's Bay. The Hardscrabble Point area creates a scenic natural backdrop. The bay's character is private and unpretentious — a classic Minnesota lake experience.
Summer on the Water
Morning paddles, afternoon regattas, and sunset cruises define lake life from June through September.
Fall Color & Quiet
September and October bring the most dramatic light on the lake — and the most peaceful mornings for year-round residents.
Four-Season Living
Ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and winter stargazing make Lake Minnetonka a genuine year-round community.
Community & Culture
Village walkability, farmers markets, yacht clubs, and local dining create a social fabric unlike any other lake community.
Real Estate Market Insights
Priest's Bay properties offer western lake access at accessible prices, with proximity to both Halsted's Bay (and Baker Park Reserve) and the broader lake system via West Upper Lake.
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $925K | Full price range: $430K – $2.6M |
| Active Listings | ~7 homes | Highly limited inventory — acts fast |
| Avg Days on Market | 44 days | Well-priced homes often see multiple offers |
| Water Depth at Dock | 10–20 ft | Deep water = higher dock permit value |
| Water Quality | Good | Hennepin County monitoring rating |
| Boat Activity Level | Calm | Lower activity = quieter lake life |
Common Home Styles on Priest's Bay
Boating & Navigation — Priest's Bay
Priest's Bay connects to Halsted's Bay and West Upper Lake. The historic 1880 channel provides access to Halsted's Bay. Calm waters and modest depth suit smaller recreational craft.
Marinas & Docking
- Access via Halsted Bay services
Public Boat Launches
- Halsted Bay Launch (nearby)
Navigation Conditions at a Glance
Traffic Level
Calm
Water Depth
10–20 ft
Water Clarity
Good
Parks & Amenities Near Priest's Bay
Parks & Nature
- Hardscrabble Point Area
- Baker Park Reserve (nearby via Halsted's)
Waterfront Dining
- Mound area (by boat)
Schools & Nearby Communities
School Districts
- Westonka School District
Ratings per GreatSchools.org — among highest in Minnesota
Nearby Communities
Luxury Buyer Benefits — Priest's Bay
Priest's Bay delivers a premium investment profile matched by few addresses in the Midwest. Here's what distinguishes luxury buying on this bay from the broader Lake Minnetonka market — and from competing lake communities nationwide.
Supply-Constrained Appreciation
With only ~7 active listings at any time, Priest's Bay properties appreciate reliably. Fixed shoreline supply and growing demand create a structurally sound investment profile.
Private Dock & LMCD Permit Value
Grandfathered deep-water dock permits on this bay carry intrinsic value of $50K–$200K+. Buyers gain private water access and boat storage that cannot be replicated by new applicants.
Top-Ranked Schools
Proximity to Westonka School District and neighboring districts means access to Minnesota's elite academic ecosystem — consistently ranked among the nation's top suburban school systems.
Lake-Wide Market Outperformance
Homes on Priest's Bay average 44 days on market — a reflection of sustained buyer demand and limited inventory. Historically, well-maintained properties here sell at or above asking price.
Proximity to Minneapolis
20–30 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and major Fortune 500 employers (Target, UHG, Medtronic, General Mills). Lake luxury without the isolation of more remote Wisconsin or Northern Minnesota lakes.
Four-Season Quality of Life
Lakefront living on Lake Minnetonka is not seasonal — it's a full-time lifestyle with summer boating, fall color, winter ice fishing, and spring fishing all within steps of your private dock.
Seller Strategy — Priest's Bay
Selling a lakefront home on Priest's Bay requires expertise that goes beyond standard residential real estate. Dock permit knowledge, lake-specific pricing methodology, and a targeted buyer marketing system are the difference between a quick sale at full value — and a property that lingers on the market.
Precision Lakefront Valuation
We analyze Priest's Bay-specific comparables — not just general lake data. Frontage price per linear foot, dock configuration value ($50K–$200K+), sun orientation, and view quality all factor into our pricing model.
Lake-Specific Marketing
Professional drone photography from above and at water level, targeted digital campaigns reaching high-net-worth buyers in Minneapolis, Chicago, and nationally, and direct outreach to our pre-qualified lake buyer database.
Strategic Market Timing
The strongest lake demand materializes March–July. Buyers seeking summer possession begin searching in January. We advise on pre-listing preparation timelines and bay-specific seasonal inventory cycles.
Dock & Disclosure Audit
Pre-listing LMCD permit audit, riparian rights documentation review, and seller disclosure coaching protect your transaction from buyer-side inspection surprises that derail closings.
The 1880 channel history is an interesting narrative for heritage-minded buyers
Baker Park Reserve accessibility via Halsted's Bay is a powerful selling point
Position as 'the gateway to western Lake Minnetonka's most private addresses'
FAQs about Priest's Bay
Get Priest's Bay Home Alerts
Be the first to know when a new Priest's Bay listing hits the market — including off-market opportunities that never reach Zillow.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.
Priest's Bay Specialist
Free consultation with a lake agent who knows Priest's Bay's dock regulations, off-market inventory, and exact market timing.
Search Priest's Bay Listings
Full MLS — all active lakefront homes
Browse NowFree Lake Home Valuation
Precision pricing for Priest's Bay properties
Get My ValuationLuxury Lakefront Guide
$1M–$5M+ homes on Lake Minnetonka
View Luxury GuideBack to Lake Map
Explore all 12 bays interactively
Explore the Full Lake
All Bays on Lake Minnetonka
Wayzata Bay
$2.1M median
Gray's Bay
$1.65M median
Libbs Lake
$1.4M median
Peavey Lake
$1.2M median
Tanager Lake
$1.05M median
Browns Bay
$1.45M median
Smith's Bay
$1.8M median
Crystal Bay
$1.75M median
St. Albans Bay
$1.52M median
Stubb's Bay
$1.38M median
North Arm
$1.25M median
Maxwell Bay
$1.85M median
Lafayette Bay
$2.05M median
Lower Lake North
$1.75M median
Robinson's Bay
$1.65M median
St. Louis Bay
$1.55M median
Carson's Bay
$1.42M median
East Upper Lake
$1.35M median
Old Channel Bay
$1.28M median
Carman Bay
$1.15M median
Spring Park Bay
$1.10M median
Echo Bay
$1.45M median
Lower Lake South
$1.68M median
Excelsior Bay
$1.55M median
Gideon Bay
$1.32M median
Phelps Bay
$1.28M median
West Arm
$1.05M median
Harrison's Bay
$1.12M median
Jenning's Bay
$1.08M median
Seton Lake
$1.05M median
Coffee Cove
$1.18M median
Forest Lake
$985K median
West Upper Lake
$1.08M median
South Upper Lake
$1.12M median
Smithtown Bay
$1.15M median
Cook's Bay
$1.05M median
Lost Lake
$985K median
Emerald Lake
$975K median
Black Lake
$875K median
Halsted's Bay
$875K median
Priest's Bay
$925K median