WAYZATA BAY
Location Highlights:
Wayzata Bay is located between Lower Lake and Grays Bay on the lake’s northeast half. The bay is surrounded by the city of Wayzata in the Wayzata School District. Wayzata Bay has a rich history. Starting as a tourist hotspot in the 1800s, it was home to some of the grandest hotels on Lake Minnetonka. They then transitioned to many summer cottages in the early 1900s, where city dwellers would escape their busy lives in downtown Minneapolis to relax on the lake. Wayzata has become a culmination of its past, with outstanding retail and restaurants and beautiful lake houses overlooking the scenic Wayzata Bay.
Water Quality:
The water depth in Wayzata Bay reaches a maximum depth of 87 feet, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has given it an A rating in water quality, which means that the water in the bay is crystal clear and can be enjoyed recreationally year round.
Boating Restrictions:
None
Lake Access:
The mass of boat launches and marinas on Wayzata Bay confirms the demand for dock slips in the area; the Wayzata Bay Public Launch is the only launch in Wayzata Bay. It offers limited on-street parking on McGinty Road. The city of Wayzata has municipal boat slips for Wayzata Residents. The city maintains 100 boat slips at Barry Avenue and Grove Lane. Residents enter a lottery to claim a slip; chances improve each year of continuous application. Lastly, the Wayzata Yacht Club is not a marina but a community sailing center for adult and youth sailboat racing programs. The yacht club is nationally recognized and oversees one of the largest sailboat racing programs in the United States.
Amenities:
Wayzata Bay’s great atmosphere and central location make it easy to find attractions to do year-round. Summer events include the Wayzata Art Experience, Sunday Music in the Park, and James J. Hill Days. The Wayzata Art Experience is a two-day event that takes place the last weekend of June in the heart of downtown Wayzata, shutting down the main road, Lake Street East. The art fair attracts vendors and art enthusiasts from across the Twin Cities. Sunday Music in the Park takes place every Sunday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm all summer outside of Hotel Landing. The event features local artists and is free to all who attend. The most significant event in downtown Wayzata is James J. Hill Days. Wayzata shuts down Lake Street East each year and hosts a carnival with live music, logrolling, fireworks, and much more to honor James J. Hill. In the winter, a golf tournament occurs on the frozen Wayzata Bay called the Chilly Open. Despite all the events downtown offers, it is home to a robust retail and restaurant scene. Notable retail stores include Sun and Slope, Shop 44 North, and Fashion Avenue 2. Local favorite restaurants include 6Smith, COV, and Josefina.
Source MN DNR®
Source Minnehaha Watershed District®
Wayzata Bay
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Location Highlights:
Wayzata Bay is located between Lower Lake and Grays Bay on the lake’s northeast half. The bay is surrounded by the city of Wayzata in the Wayzata School District. Wayzata Bay has a rich history. Starting as a tourist hotspot in the 1800s, it was home to some of the grandest hotels on Lake Minnetonka. They then transitioned to many summer cottages in the early 1900s, where city dwellers would escape their busy lives in downtown Minneapolis to relax on the lake. Wayzata has become a culmination of its past, with outstanding retail and restaurants and beautiful lake houses overlooking the scenic Wayzata Bay.
Water Quality:
The water depth in Wayzata Bay reaches a maximum depth of 87 feet, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District has given it an A rating in water quality, which means that the water in the bay is crystal clear and can be enjoyed recreationally year round.
Boating Restrictions:
None
Lake Access:
The mass of boat launches and marinas on Wayzata Bay confirms the demand for dock slips in the area; the Wayzata Bay Public Launch is the only launch in Wayzata Bay. It offers limited on-street parking on McGinty Road. The city of Wayzata has municipal boat slips for Wayzata Residents. The city maintains 100 boat slips at Barry Avenue and Grove Lane. Residents enter a lottery to claim a slip; chances improve each year of continuous application. Lastly, the Wayzata Yacht Club is not a marina but a community sailing center for adult and youth sailboat racing programs. The yacht club is nationally recognized and oversees one of the largest sailboat racing programs in the United States.
Amenities:
Wayzata Bay’s great atmosphere and central location make it easy to find attractions to do year-round. Summer events include the Wayzata Art Experience, Sunday Music in the Park, and James J. Hill Days. The Wayzata Art Experience is a two-day event that takes place the last weekend of June in the heart of downtown Wayzata, shutting down the main road, Lake Street East. The art fair attracts vendors and art enthusiasts from across the Twin Cities. Sunday Music in the Park takes place every Sunday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm all summer outside of Hotel Landing. The event features local artists and is free to all who attend. The most significant event in downtown Wayzata is James J. Hill Days. Wayzata shuts down Lake Street East each year and hosts a carnival with live music, logrolling, fireworks, and much more to honor James J. Hill. In the winter, a golf tournament occurs on the frozen Wayzata Bay called the Chilly Open. Despite all the events downtown offers, it is home to a robust retail and restaurant scene. Notable retail stores include Sun and Slope, Shop 44 North, and Fashion Avenue 2. Local favorite restaurants include 6Smith, COV, and Josefina.
Source MN DNR®
Source Minnehaha Watershed District®
