Bde Maka Ska

A photo set of Bde Maka Ska and adjacent parkland: docks, sailboats, and skyline views

This photo set shows Bde Maka Ska and the surrounding Chain of Lakes parkland in Minneapolis, with images of docks, aluminum and sailboats, shoreline activity and skyline views. Several images include the Minikahda Club golf course on the lake’s western shore and public uses of beaches and paths. The collection references the lake’s restored Dakota name, formerly Lake Calhoun, and seasonal contrasts from frozen surface to summer sailing. One image documents a temporary skate area installed on the shore in the aftermath of the civil unrest in 2020.
Frozen Bde Maka Ska Dog Walk
December 15, 2025 — A woman walks her dog on a freshly frozen Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis.
Sunset over the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis
November 1, 2025 — A early November sunset over The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis.
Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis Fall 2025
November 1, 2025 — Sunset at Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis in November 2025.
The Lakes around Cedar Lake Trail LRT
October 27, 2025 — The new rails of the Metro Transit Southwest LRT green line extension. Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska and Cedar Lake.
Pimento on Bde Maka Ska with Fall Colors
October 22, 2025 — Exploding maple trees outside Pimento restaurant on Bde Maka Ska.
Fishing and Sailboats in Minneapolis
August 22, 2025 — People engage in fishing from the shoreline path and sailing on Bde Maka Ska, a significant lake in Minneapolis. As the largest lake in the city, Bde Maka Ska is a central component of the Chain of Lakes Regional Park system. Its name, meaning "White Earth Lake" in the Dakota language, was officially restored in 2017, reflecting its Indigenous heritage. The lake provides a vital public space for diverse recreational activities, including fishing, sailing, and paddle boating, alongside lakeside dining facilities. These uses underscore the lake's importance as a natural amenity for leisure and community life within the urban landscape.
July 2025 Thunderstorm in Minneapolis
July 27, 2025 — A thunderstorm approaches Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis on July 27, 2025. Bde Maka Ska, meaning 'Lake White Earth' in Dakota, is the largest lake in Minneapolis and a central feature of the city's Chain of Lakes. The lake is a popular destination for sailing, kayaking, and other water activities, with a busy roadway, Lake Street, and residential buildings lining its eastern shore. The approaching storm highlights the dynamic weather patterns common to the region, impacting both natural environments and urban life.
Group watches sunset at a Minneapolis beach
July 6, 2025 — Bde Maka Ska Lake, located in South Minneapolis, is a prominent natural lake within the city's Chain of Lakes Regional Park system. Originally known by its Dakota name, meaning "White Earth Lake," it was officially restored in 2017 after decades as Lake Calhoun. The lake serves as a vital recreational hub, popular for sailing, kayaking, and cycling along its shores. As evening falls, residents and visitors gather on its beaches to observe sunsets over the water, with the city's residential buildings visible across the lake.
The Minikahda Club on Bde Maka Ska 2025
July 5, 2025 — The Minikahda Club, a private golf club established in 1898, is situated on the western shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. Its historic clubhouse and golf course provide a prominent recreational and social center overlooking the lake. From this vantage point, the club offers views across Bde Maka Ska to the distant Minneapolis skyline. The club's grounds, including a putting green, reflect its enduring role in the city's social and sporting life.
Hammocking on Bde Maka Ska Minneapolis
March 9, 2025 — A person relaxes in a hammock strung between trees along the shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. This activity takes place on one of the first mild days of spring, with lingering snow on the ground and the lake still partially frozen, signaling the end of winter. Bde Maka Ska, the largest lake in Minneapolis, is a key part of the city's Chain of Lakes Regional Park system. The lake and its surrounding parkways are widely used for outdoor activities such as walking, biking, and relaxation, providing a vital public green space for the community.
People watch sunset from bde maka ska
June 16, 2024 — Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis: Sailboat and Sunset View. People gather on the docks of Bde Maka Ska, one of Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes, to watch the sunset. The lake, originally known as Lake Calhoun, was renamed Bde Maka Ska in 2020 following a tribal council resolution to honor its Dakota heritage. The lake and its surrounding parkland are a popular destination for recreation and offer views of the city's skyline.
Bde Maka Ska boats in June 24
June 16, 2024 — Sailboats are docked at Bde Maka Ska, a lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The lake is part of the city's Chain of Lakes, a system of lakes and parkways that are popular for recreation and serve as a vital green space within the urban environment. Bde Maka Ska, originally known as Lake Calhoun, was renamed in 2020 to honor the Dakota people. The lake and its surrounding parkland are used for sailing, swimming, biking, and other outdoor activities throughout the year.
Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska June 2024
June 12, 2024 — This photograph presents a panoramic view of Minneapolis, Minnesota, looking eastward from the southwest quadrant of the city. The foreground features residential buildings and the distinct architecture of the Uptown neighborhood. Beyond, the waters of Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are visible, nestled within a dense canopy of trees that characterize the city's park system. In the distance, the central business district's towers rise above the landscape, representing the commercial heart of the metropolitan area. The image was taken in June 2024, during a period that followed significant civil unrest in the city in 2020, which was centered around the Powderhorn Park neighborhood, several miles south of this vantage point.
Channel between the lakes in Minneapolis colorful
May 15, 2023 — The channel connecting Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis is a popular spot for recreation. The channel, part of the city's Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, was created in the early 20th century to improve water flow and navigation between the lakes. Today, it serves as a picturesque waterway for kayakers, paddleboarders, and anglers, while the surrounding parkland offers walking paths and green spaces enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. The blooming trees in this image indicate the arrival of spring, a season that revitalizes the urban landscape.
Sailboats on Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis
May 3, 2023 — Sailboats on Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis in May 2023.
Sunset Skating at Bde Maka Ska
September 10, 2022 — A temporary skate park was established on the shores of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. This park was created in the wake of the Minneapolis Uprising in the summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd. The park served as a community gathering space and a place for recreation during a period of significant social and political unrest. It provided a much-needed outlet for youth and residents, fostering a sense of normalcy and shared activity amidst challenging times.
City skyline with a sail boat in the water
June 26, 2022 — A sailboat on Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis during sunset.
Minneapolis skyline as seen from Bde Maka Ska May 2022
May 30, 2022 — The Minneapolis skyline is visible across Bde Maka Ska, a prominent lake in the city's chain of lakes. The lake, originally named Lake Calhoun, was renamed Bde Maka Ska in 2018 to honor its Dakota heritage. The skyline represents the central business district of Minneapolis, with its tallest buildings including the IDS Center and Capella Tower. This view from the lake's edge, near Thomas Beach, offers a perspective on the city's development and its relationship with its natural landscape.
Bench on Bde Maka Ska with skyline across lake
May 9, 2020 — A bench at Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis. The Minneapolis skyline seen across the lake.
St Marys Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis
May 9, 2020 — St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church as seen from across Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis.
Bde Maka Ska on very calm april night
April 17, 2020 — The downtown Minneapolis skyline is visible across Lake of the Isles at night. Lake of the Isles, part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, is a significant natural feature within the city's park system, established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Minneapolis serves as a major economic and cultural center in the Upper Midwest, with its downtown core housing corporate headquarters, cultural institutions, and residential buildings. The lake and its surrounding parkways are widely used for recreation, offering residents and visitors pathways for walking, running, and cycling, providing a natural counterpoint to the urban core.
Sailboats are moored on Bde Maka Ska lake in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at sunset. The lake is part of the city's Chain of Lakes, known for water activities.
September 23, 2019 — Sailboats are moored on Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the sun sets. The lake, formerly known as Lake Calhoun, is one of the city's Chain of Lakes, a system of lakes and parkland that provides significant recreational opportunities. Bde Maka Ska is a popular destination for sailing, kayaking, and other water activities, and its shores are lined with parks and trails used by residents and visitors.
Minneapolis skyline reflected in Bde Maka Ska on a foggy night. The IDS Center, Capella Tower, and Wells Fargo Center are visible.
May 20, 2019 — The Minneapolis skyline, including prominent structures such as the IDS Center, Capella Tower, and Wells Fargo Center, is reflected in the calm waters of Bde Maka Ska on a foggy night. Bde Maka Ska, the city's largest lake, is part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, a system of lakes and parkland that has been central to the city's identity and development since the late 19th century. The juxtaposition of the illuminated urban core with the natural landscape highlights Minneapolis's ongoing relationship between its built environment and its significant natural resources.
Aerial view of the Minikahda Club golf course in Minneapolis, Minnesota, situated near Bde Maka Ska lake. The course features manicured fairways, sand traps, and mature trees.
May 24, 2017 — The Minikahda Club golf course in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is situated along the shores of Bde Maka Ska lake. Established in 1901, the club features a championship golf course designed by William Watson and Robert F. Grant. The course is known for its challenging layout and mature trees, which have been a defining characteristic since its early development. It has hosted numerous prestigious golf tournaments throughout its history, solidifying its place as a significant sporting venue in the region.
Aluminum boats are secured on a wooden dock at Bde Maka Ska, Minneapolis. The lake is part of the city's Chain of Lakes park system.
June 10, 2012 — Aluminum boats are secured on the wooden dock at Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. The lake, formerly known as Lake Calhoun, is one of the most popular bodies of water in the Chain of Lakes park system. It is a central feature of the city's parkland, offering residents and visitors opportunities for boating, swimming, and other water activities. The boats pictured are likely used for fishing or recreational sailing, reflecting the ongoing use of the lake for leisure and sport.
Built in Minneapolis
© 1996–2026 Chad Davis