Best Lakes for Swimming Near St. Cloud
Minnesota
30 swimming lakes within driving distance of St. Cloud, Minnesota, ranked by water quality and swimming-specific filters. Filtered for grade A or B water quality, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Always check local advisories on the day you swim.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Watab Lake | Stearns | A | 14 mi | 20.5 ft | 123 ft |
| 2 | Big Fish Lake | Stearns | A | 14.9 mi | 20.7 ft | 70 ft |
| 3 | Sugar Lake | Wright | A | 17.9 mi | 17 ft | 69 ft |
| 4 | West Sylvia Lake | Wright | A | 22 mi | 22 ft | 97 ft |
| 5 | Birch Lake | Wright | A | 22.9 mi | 15 ft | 52 ft |
| 6 | Upper Maple Lake | Wright | A | 24.7 mi | 18 ft | 76 ft |
| 7 | Big Lake | Sherburne | A | 25.1 mi | 17.5 ft | 48 ft |
| 8 | Cedar Lake | Morrison | A | 28.6 mi | 16.4 ft | 88 ft |
| 9 | Pine Lake | Morrison | A | 29.2 mi | 15.1 ft | 59 ft |
| 10 | Pulaski Lake | Wright | A | 29.3 mi | 18 ft | - |
| 11 | Nixon Lake | Wright | A | 14.9 mi | 13.1 ft | 67 ft |
| 12 | Big Spunk Lake | Stearns | A | 15 mi | 10 ft | 38 ft |
| 13 | Bass Lake | Wright | A | 16.8 mi | 13.5 ft | 34 ft |
| 14 | Cedar Lake | Wright | A | 20.5 mi | 15 ft | 108 ft |
| 15 | Ida Lake | Wright | A | 21.9 mi | 13.3 ft | 60 ft |
| 16 | Moose Lake | Wright | A | 23.7 mi | 14.5 ft | 43 ft |
| 17 | Ann Lake | Sherburne | A | 24.9 mi | 11.6 ft | 26 ft |
| 18 | Big Lake | Sherburne | A | 25 mi | 13.5 ft | 48 ft |
| 19 | Pleasant Lake | Stearns | B | 7.3 mi | 13 ft | 33 ft |
| 20 | Camp Lake | Sherburne | B | 13 mi | 10.5 ft | 34 ft |
| 21 | Ochotto Lake | Stearns | B | 14.3 mi | 13.1 ft | 40 ft |
| 22 | Carnelian Lake | Stearns | B | 14.5 mi | 12.5 ft | 36 ft |
| 23 | Middle Spunk Lake | Stearns | B | 14.9 mi | 12 ft | 81 ft |
| 24 | Pelican Lake | Stearns | B | 16.6 mi | 13.5 ft | 46 ft |
| 25 | School Section Lake | Stearns | B | 16.9 mi | 9.8 ft | 14 ft |
| 26 | Limestone Lake | Wright | B | 17.7 mi | 13 ft | 34 ft |
| 27 | Clearwater Lake | Wright | B | 17.9 mi | 10.2 ft | 73 ft |
| 28 | Two Rivers Lake | Stearns | B | 18.6 mi | 11.2 ft | 63 ft |
| 29 | Pleasant Lake | Wright | B | 19.8 mi | 11 ft | 74 ft |
| 30 | Grand Lake | Stearns | B | 12.1 mi | 8 ft | 34 ft |