Cleary Lake Regional Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cleary Lake Regional Park is a popular outdoor destination located in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
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Summary
The park covers over 1,000 acres and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. Some good reasons to visit Cleary Lake Regional Park include hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and camping. The park features several trails for hiking and biking, and the lake is open for fishing and swimming during the warmer months.
One of the main points of interest at Cleary Lake Regional Park is the campground, which offers over 75 campsites for tents and RVs. The park also features a large picnic area, a playground, and a disc golf course. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of birds.
Interesting facts about the area include that Cleary Lake was named after a local farmer who sold the land to the state in the early 1970s. The park was officially opened to the public in 1973 and has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the Twin Cities area.
The best time of year to visit Cleary Lake Regional Park depends on the activities you are interested in. The park is open year-round, but the busiest months are typically May through September. Summer is the most popular time for swimming and camping, while fall is a great time to see the changing leaves and go hiking. In the winter, visitors can go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on the park's trails.
Overall, Cleary Lake Regional Park is a great place to visit for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors in Minnesota. With its variety of activities, scenic views, and wildlife, it is a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Wilderness Ponds Park
Brooksville Hills Park
Lakefront Park