Top 13 Lakes around Arden Hills
Best lakes around Arden Hills offers a variety of natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. The region features several lakes, including Lake Johanna, Lake Josephine, and Valentine Lake, each providing distinct characteristics. These lakes are integral to the area's natural environment, supporting diverse ecosystems and outdoor activities. The landscape is characterized by these water bodies, which contribute to the local geography.
Best lakes around Arden Hills
- The most popular lakes is Como Lake, a lake that was originally a wetland expanded during park development. Recent efforts have improved water quality, reducing algae blooms through native plant filtration systems.
- Another must-see spot is Lake Phalen, a lake that drains into the Mississippi River via Phalen Creek. It is a central feature of Phalen Regional Park and is popular for various water sports, including an annual Dragon Boat Festival.
- Visitors also love Saint Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden, a man-made monument with Chinese-style pavilions. This location offers a calm, meditative backdrop with a koi pond and lush plantings.
- Arden Hills is known for lakes offering opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. Visitors can find both larger, activity-rich lakes and smaller, more tranquil spots.
- The lakes around Arden Hills are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 20 upvotes and 10 photos shared.
Last updated: May 28, 2026
Lake Phalen
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Como Lake
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Saint Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden
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East & West Vadnais Lakes
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Island Lake
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Tips from the Community
Island Lake is home to Island Lake County Park and Island Lake playgrounds. With operating hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., the park offers plenty of car parking and a few spots for boat trailers. Visitors can enjoy a spacious playground, a play field with a backstop for recreational activities, a fishing pier for angling enthusiasts, a convenient boat launch, and shoreline areas perfect for fishing along the lake's edge.
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Saint Paul–Changsha China Friendship Garden is a beautiful scape with it's Chinese-style pavilions, koi pond, and lush plantings provide a calm, meditative backdrop. A perfect spot to pause, stretch, and take in the carefully designed landscape before continuing your journey.
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Island Lake is home to Island Lake County Park and Island Lake playgrounds. With operating hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., the park offers plenty of car parking and a few spots for boat trailers. Visitors can enjoy a spacious playground, a play field with a backstop for recreational activities, a fishing pier for angling enthusiasts, a convenient boat launch, and shoreline areas perfect for fishing along the lake's edge. Stop here on your ride for a place to sit down, photos, or a bathroom break.
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Lake Phalen drains into the Mississippi River via Phalen Creek, and it is the centerpiece of Phalen Regional Park. The lake is popular with all sorts of water sports enthusiasts and one of the highlights is the annual Dragon Boat Festival which takes place each July.
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These two lakes make up part of Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park. No watercrafts are allowed on these lakes and shoreline fishing is from permitted areas only.
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This lake was originally a wetland that was expanded when the surrounding park was developed. It is fed by storm sewer water run off, which for years resulted in algae blooms in the summer which produced a not-so-pleasant smell. However, recent efforts to improve the water quality, such as replacing invasive species with native plants and other filtration systems have greatly reduced the amount of algae blooms.
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Lake Phalen drains into the Mississippi River via Phalen Creek and it is the centerpiece of Phalen Regional Park. The lake is popular with all sorts of water sports enthusiasts and one of the highlights is the annual Dragon Boat Festival which take place each July.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular lakes for recreation in Arden Hills?
For active recreation, Lake Phalen is a central hub for various water sports and hosts an annual Dragon Boat Festival. Lake Johanna is also very popular, offering boating, swimming, and fishing, with public access via Tony Schmidt Regional Park.
Are there family-friendly lakes in the Arden Hills area?
Yes, several lakes are great for families. Lake Johanna is known for being family-oriented, with a swimming beach and picnic areas at Tony Schmidt Regional Park. Como Lake is also considered family-friendly, and Island Lake features Island Lake County Park with playgrounds and a playfield.
What kind of fishing opportunities do the lakes around Arden Hills offer?
Lake Johanna is excellent for fishing, with species like bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegills, carp, and sunfish. Lake Josephine also offers a diverse catch, including bullheads, crappies, bluegills, carp, sunfish, bass, northern pike, and walleye. Valentine Lake has small panfish, northern pike, and bass, though fishing quality can vary.
What is the best time of year to visit the lakes for outdoor activities?
Spring and fall are generally considered the best seasons for fishing on lakes like Johanna. For general outdoor activities and enjoying the natural beauty, these seasons offer pleasant temperatures. Winter also provides opportunities for ice fishing on Lake Johanna.
Are there hiking or walking trails around the lakes?
Yes, Lake Johanna has numerous walking trails around its perimeter. Valentine Park, near Valentine Lake, also features trails. While direct recreational use of Round Lake is limited, there are walking and biking trails in its surrounding area. For more extensive options, you can explore the running trails around Arden Hills.
What water sports are popular on the lakes?
Boating and swimming are popular activities on Lake Johanna and Lake Josephine. Lake Phalen is particularly known for various water sports and hosts an annual Dragon Boat Festival.
Are there any lakes with restricted access or special considerations?
Yes, Round Lake has significant restrictions due to historical contamination. No watercraft are allowed, and shoreline fishing is only permitted from designated areas. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the lake to limit exposure to its sediments.
Where can I find picnic areas near the lakes?
Tony Schmidt Regional Park on Lake Johanna offers picnic areas. Lake Josephine was historically a popular spot for picnics. Additionally, the Saint Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden, while not a lake itself, provides a beautiful, calm setting for a picnic near the lakes.
What cycling routes are available near the lakes in Arden Hills?
You can find several cycling routes in the area. For example, the 'Rice Creek & Mississippi River Trail loop' and 'Islands of Peace County Park via Rice Creek Trail loop' offer options for different difficulty levels. More details are available in the Cycling around Arden Hills guide.
Are there any unique natural or cultural attractions near the lakes?
Beyond the lakes themselves, the Saint Paul-Changsha China Friendship Garden offers a unique cultural experience with its Chinese-style pavilions, koi pond, and lush plantings, providing a meditative backdrop near the water.
What are the regulations for boating on Lake Josephine?
Lake Josephine has joint regulations between the cities of Roseville and Arden Hills. These include a maximum speed limit and a no-wake zone within 150 feet of the shoreline to ensure safety and preserve the environment.
Most popular attractions around Arden Hills
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