Cleary Lake Regional Park

Cleary Lake Regional Park is the Three Rivers park on the south edge of Prior Lake, off Texas Avenue, wrapped around a 137-acre lake where gas motors are not allowed. It is the closest thing the area has to an everything park: a nine-hole, par-29 golf course with a driving range, a 22-site campground, a free unguarded swimming beach, a fishing pier, canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, a 28-acre fenced off-leash dog area, a play area, picnic sites and a visitor center.

The trails are the year-round draw: 5.9 miles of hiking, 3.5 miles paved for bikes and strollers, 5.3 miles open to dogs on a leash, and in winter 6 miles of groomed cross-country ski trail, 3.8 miles for fat bikes, and ski and snowshoe rentals. Three Rivers naturalists run a full calendar here, hikes, kayak lessons, log rolling, forest bathing, snowshoe nights, fireside yoga, and Prior Lake Events lists most of it, plus the Firecracker 5K on the Fourth of July and the Gobble Gait on Thanksgiving morning.

There is no fee to enter or park. The off-leash area, the ski trails, the boat launch and archery each need a Three Rivers pass. The park is open 5 am to 10 pm, the visitor center 9 am to 6 pm and the golf course 8 am to 8 pm in season. Phone: 763-694-7777.