Cedar Lake East Beach
Cedar Lake East Beach is an urban beach in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It sits on the east side of Cedar Lake and is managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. It’s open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and lifeguards are on duty during the season.
Locals often call it Hidden Beach. In the 1960s and 1970s, it grew from a forest path into a small, welcoming gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds could enjoy the water, games, and music.
Over the years, neighbors and city officials worried about illegal activity and safety. In the 1990s and 2000s, some residents hired off‑duty police to patrol the area. The park board worked to improve safety and protect the environment, including clearing invasive plants and widening paths.
In the mid-2000s, renovations added a lifeguard stand, picnic tables, a grill, and a small police‑patrolled parking area. The lifeguard stand was replaced after a fire. The park board also cleared buckthorn and other vegetation to improve visibility.
In the late 2010s, the park board steered the beach toward a more “family‑friendly” vibe while keeping it welcoming to people from all walks of life.
Hidden Beach has a place in local culture, even appearing on the cover of Hüsker Dü’s 1985 album New Day Rising.
Today, Cedar Lake East Beach remains a popular urban beach with seasonal lifeguards and a schedule that fits the city’s lake life.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:53 (CET).