Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a state recreation area in Scott County. 8 graded lakes are within 15 miles of the park, including Maria Lake, Mill Pond, Cedar Lake.
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a Minnesota State Recreation Area — a public-land designation focused on recreation rather than ecological preservation. an unrecorded acreage acres are protected. The park is paired with 8 graded lakes nearby — enough for a multi-lake visit. Average grade among them: D.
Reading the per-lake LakeGrade alongside the park designation gives a fuller picture than either alone: the park tells you what land is protected, the grade tells you what condition the water in that protected area is in.
Official Resources
Nearby Graded Lakes (within 15 mi)
Lakes closest to Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, weighted by size. Click a lake for its full water quality grade, fish species, and depth.
| Lake | County | Grade | Surface Area | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maria Lake | Carver | F | 131 acres | 5.2 mi |
| Mill Pond | Scott | D | 18 acres | 3.6 mi |
| Cedar Lake | Scott | F | 793 acres | 10.1 mi |
| Miller Lake | Carver | F | 143 acres | 8.8 mi |
| Waconia Lake | Carver | C | 3,080 acres | 14.7 mi |
| Spring Lake | Scott | D | 592 acres | 11.7 mi |
| O'Dowd Lake | Scott | C | 301 acres | 10.8 mi |
| Thole Lake | Scott | F | 119 acres | 10 mi |
Other Parks in the Area
- Fort Snelling State Park— State Park, 30 mi
- Sakatah Lake State Park— State Park, 31.6 mi
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park— State Park, 36.6 mi
- Minneopa State Park— State Park, 39.7 mi
Where to stay near Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area — find a place to stay close to the park and its nearby lakes.
Top-rated places to stay near Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.