Lake Minnewaska
Homes & cabins for sale
8,000 acres ringed by rolling hills and rocky bluffs — Minnesota's thirteenth-largest lake, and unusually dramatic country for the region. Get matched with an agent who knows it.
About Lake Minnewaska
Agents who work Lake Minnewaska
Local agents who work this lake. Free to get matched.
Life on Lake Minnewaska
Lake Minnewaska at Glenwood in Pope County is one of Minnesota's larger lakes — clear water in the gentle hills of "Lake Wobegon" country, with Glenwood right on its shore. It is an established west-central destination with a relaxed, scenic character.
The market is cabins and year-round homes; size, clarity, and the Glenwood waterfront drive demand at west-central prices.
What makes Lake Minnewaska distinct
- Roughly 8,050 acres — the largest lake on this tier
- Rocky cliffs and rolling hills — genuinely dramatic topography for west-central Minnesota
- Glenwood and Starbuck bracket the lake, both with services
- Name from Dakota mni waste, "good water"
- Glacial Lakes State Park nearby (on Mud Lake, near Starbuck)
Featured Lake Minnewaska businesses
Resorts, marinas, dock builders, and lake-area pros our community relies on.
What the seasons bring on Lake Minnewaska
Summer is boating, swimming, and the Glenwood waterfront and festivals. Fall brings color to the surrounding hills.
Winter offers ice fishing and quiet, reopening at spring ice-out.
The Lake Minnewaska real estate picture
Typical property types: Cabins, year-round homes, and lakefront in and around both towns. Documentation on the cabin-versus-estate mix is thin — treat any generalisation with caution and defer to a local agent.
What drives price here: Exposure matters here more than usual — 8,000 acres and 20 miles of shoreline means real fetch and real wind. Depth off the dock is the other one; this is a shallow lake and not every frontage works for every boat.
A shallow lake, and buyers should know it. At 32 feet maximum and 17 feet average, Minnewaska is large but not deep — which shapes water temperature, weed growth and how the lake fishes. Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort and zebra mussels are all present. That's a meaningful invasive-species load and should be discussed openly before an offer.
Lake Minnewaska by the numbers
Source: Minnesota DNR · view surveyHomes for sale on Lake Minnewaska
Common questions about Lake Minnewaska
How big is Lake Minnewaska?
Roughly 8,050 acres with about 20 miles of shoreline — one of the largest lakes in west-central Minnesota.
How deep is it?
Not very, relative to its size — maximum depth is 32 feet and the average is 17. It's a large, shallow basin.
How clear is the water?
Clarity measured 11 feet, second-best of 20 monitored lakes in Pope County, with an A (Excellent) grade.
What fish are in Lake Minnewaska?
Walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, bluegill, crappie and yellow perch.
What towns are on the lake?
Glenwood at the east end and Starbuck at the west. Alexandria is about half an hour north for a hospital and full retail.
Is Glacial Lakes State Park on Minnewaska?
No — it's nearby, near Starbuck, but sits on Mud Lake. It's a genuine area amenity, just not lakefront on Minnewaska.
Are there invasive species?
Yes, and it's a meaningful list: Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort and zebra mussels are all present. Worth discussing with a local agent before you buy.
How do I see new listings?
Use the form on this page, or get matched with a local agent who can send them the day they hit MLS.
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Guides covering Lake Minnewaska
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