Lake of the Isles

37 photos · 2019–2026

37 photographs tagged Lake of the Isles, 2019–2026.

Deteriorated wooden bridge spanning Cedar Lake channel alongside Burnham Trail in Minneapolis during Green Line Extension — The bridge over the Cedar Lake/Lake of the Isles channel in Minneapolis. The bridge was removed and replaced during construction of the Metro Transit Green Line Extension.

Minneapolis downtown skyline rises beyond Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles in the Chain of Lakes park system. — Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are two of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, joined by a channel. Bde Maka Ska is the largest lake in Minneapolis at about 401 acres, while Lake of the Isles covers about 108 acres.

Minneapolis skyline from Lake of the Isles with IDS Center and Capella Tower. — Minneapolis skyline from Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The IDS Center and Capella Tower rise above the trees on the far shore.

Construction equipment and containment barriers along Cedar Lake during Metro Green Line Extension work in Minneapolis. — The Kenilworth Channel connects Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, carrying both water traffic and the Kenilworth Trail along its banks. Construction here is tied to the Metro Green Line Extension, a light-rail project that runs through the Kenilworth corridor en route to Eden Prairie.

Minneapolis downtown skyline at night viewed across Lake of the Isles with illuminated office towers and foreground park. — Lake of the Isles sits at the western edge of Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes, linked by man-made channels to Bde Maka Ska to the south and Cedar Lake to the north.

Black Lives Matter rally near Lake of the Isles park — Community members address attendees at a Black Lives Matter rally held in Joanne R. Levin Park, Minneapolis, on August 28, 2020. The event provided a platform for neighbors to discuss racial justice and community inclusivity in the wake of the Minneapolis Uprising. Speakers utilized a decorated truck as a temporary stage to engage with the assembled crowd. Joanne R. Levin Park, located near Lake of the Isles, served as a public gathering space for these important civic discussions.

Black Lives Matter rally near Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis — A Black Lives Matter solidarity rally took place on August 28, 2020, at Joanne R. Levin Park in Minneapolis. This public gathering near Lake of the Isles was part of the widespread protests for racial justice and police accountability that followed the murder of George Floyd. Attendees are seen sitting on the grass, listening to speakers, with signs advocating for specific local actions, such as the recall of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman. Joanne R. Levin Park, a neighborhood green space, frequently serves as a site for community events and public assembly in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis skyline across Lake of the Isles at night. — The Minneapolis skyline is visible at night from the frozen surface of Lake of the Isles, a prominent feature of the city's Chain of Lakes park system. This vantage point offers a view of the downtown commercial district, showcasing the development of its architecture and economic activity. Lake of the Isles, established in the late 19th century, serves as a vital green space within the urban environment, providing areas for public use and contributing to the city's character.

Biker in the snow biking around a lake in South Minneapolis — A cyclist navigates a snow-covered path on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis during the season's first snowfall. The park, part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, is a popular destination for recreation year-round, offering paved paths for walking, running, and cycling. Despite the winter weather, the park remains a vital part of the city's green infrastructure, providing residents with access to nature and opportunities for outdoor activity.

Giant Pencil Sculpture Near Lake of the Isles — A large pencil sculpture stands partly buried in fresh snow near Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. The piece—well-known to neighborhood walkers and cyclists—sits on the lawn of a private residence and has become a quiet local landmark. Framed by stone steps, evergreens, and early-season snowfall, it reflects the eclectic public-facing art found throughout the surrounding residential areas of the Chain of Lakes.

City of Lakes Luminary Bag at the Loppet on Lake of the Isles

Lights on the Lake of the Isles Bde Maka Ska Channel in 2023 — The Luminary Loppet finally happened last night, although not on the Lake, after being pushed back from January due to heavy snow and warm weather. Thousands came out to whats easily the most lit event each year.

Crowd enjoys the band at the Luminary Loppet in Minneapolis — The Luminary Loppet finally happened last night, although not on the Lake, after being pushed back from January due to heavy snow and warm weather. Thousands came out to whats easily the most lit event each year.

Spring-blooming trees line a canal connecting Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. — 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.

Lake of the Isles with wildfire smoke aerial — Canadian wildfire smoke blankets Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, obscuring the urban landscape. The lake and its surrounding parkland are part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, a system of lakes and parkways designed by landscape architect H.W.S. Cleveland and engineer William Berry in the late 19th century. These lakes, including Bde Maka Ska, Harriet, Nokomis, and Cedar, were developed to provide naturalistic recreational spaces within the growing city. Today, the Chain of Lakes remains a vital public amenity, offering residents and visitors opportunities for walking, biking, boating, and enjoying nature, even when impacted by environmental events like wildfire smoke.

Sailboats on lake with city skyline — Sailboats on Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis during sunset. Lake of the Isles seen in the distance.

Luminary Loppet “City of Lakes” Bag With Minneapolis Skyline Beyond

Aerial view of Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis at night with illuminated luminaries lining the parkway pathways around the dark water. — The Luminary Loppet, an annual winter festival, took place around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis in February 2024. Due to unseasonably warm weather, the event's traditional route across the frozen lake was relocated to the surrounding parkways, where participants walked among thousands of luminaries.

A couple walk in front of luminaries with city skyline — Participants gather for the Luminary Loppet around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis during February 2024. Due to unseasonably warm weather, the annual winter event was held off the ice, a departure from its traditional setup.

Aurora borealis glows above Lake of the Isles Parkway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with illuminated trees and stone balustrade below. — The aurora borealis illuminated the sky above Lake of the Isles Parkway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 10, 2024.

Downtown Minneapolis skyline at dusk across Lake of the Isles, obscured by Canadian wildfire smoke in May 2024. — Lake of the Isles is one of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, covering about 108 acres with a maximum depth of 20 feet. Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts over the downtown Minneapolis skyline in May 2024.

Lake of the Isles Ice Fishing — Icve fishing on Minneapolis's Lake of the Isles, a prominent feature of the city's Chain of Lakes park system.

Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis with downtown skyline obscured by wildfire smoke haze. — Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis is bordered by dense tree cover, with the downtown skyline visible through wildfire smoke haze. The haze reduced visibility across the lake and softened the outlines of the city towers.

Two paddleboarders on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis at sunset with park trees and stone bridge. — Two individuals paddleboard on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis during sunset. Lake of the Isles is one of five lakes in the Chain of Lakes Regional Park, a significant part of Minneapolis's Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.

Aerial view of Lake of the Isles with downtown Minneapolis skyline under stormy clouds. — A thunderstorm builds over Lake of the Isles, one of Minneapolis's Chain of Lakes. Downtown Minneapolis visible in the background.

Summer thunderstorm clouds gathering over Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis surrounded by residential neighborhoods. — A summer thunderstorm approaches Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, a significant feature of the city's park system.

Metro Transit Southwest LRT green line extension curves through autumn forests and residential neighborhoods between Cedar Lake — The new rails of the Metro Transit Southwest LRT green line extension. Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska and Cedar Lake.

Lake Street over Bde Maka Ska Channel 2025 — Lake Street bridge over the channel between Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska on a fall day.

Loti Pencil sign in 2026 on Lake of the Isles Parkway in Minneapolis — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Lakes of the Isles Parkway, Loti Pencil Sharpening 2026 in Minneapolis — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Pencil Head, Loti Pencil, Minneapolis 2026 — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Dull Loti Pencil, 2026 in Minneapolis — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

5th annual pencil sharpening on Lake of the Isles — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Sharpened Loti Pencil, Minneapolis 2026 — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Boats outside the 5th Annual Loti Pencil sharpening, Minneapolis — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Large crowd around Lake of the Isles, Loti Pencil 5th annual sharpening — Today’s sharpening of artist Curtis Ingvoldstad’s 20 foot pencil on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. People just love the Loti Pencil!

Kayakers and paddleboarders paddle through a tree-lined channel connecting Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. — The Kenilworth Channel joins Cedar Lake to Lake of the Isles, part of the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis. Dug in 1913, it lets paddlers pass between the two lakes beneath a stone footbridge. Kayakers and paddleboarders move through the channel's lily pads toward the bridge.

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