Lake trip · Washington County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Forest Lake
Forest Lake covers 2,271 acres in Washington County and carries a water-quality grade of C (Fair). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below, then check the water before you book. Open water runs roughly Apr 9 to Nov 30, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Places to stay near Forest Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Forest Lake in Washington County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Browse all stays near Forest Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Before you book: the water
Forest Lake grades C for water quality — Fair. Swim with caution, moderate algae may be present. Water clarity is about 5.1 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 17 µg/L.
About Forest Lake
Fish: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish.
Nearby state parks
Base your trip at a park for camping and trails, with Forest Lake a short drive away.
- William O'Brien State Park · State Park9.3 mi
- Interstate State Park · State Park15.9 mi
- Interstate Park · State Park16.2 mi
- Wild River State Park · State Park19.7 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Forest Lake in Washington County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. William O'Brien State Park is about 9.3 miles away for campground options.
Forest Lake has a LakeQuality water-quality grade of C (Fair). Swim with caution, moderate algae may be present. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.
Open water runs roughly Apr 9 to Nov 30, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Forest Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.