Flandrau State Park's sand-bottom swim pond is chlorinated and maintains a consistent depth throughout the season. Pond depth ranges from zero at entry to a maximum of seven feet; the average depth is five feet. Lifeguards are on duty whenever the swim pond is open.
The DNR and local groups raised funds to create the swim pond, which opened in 1988 to provide an outdoor swimming facility for the area after the Big Cottonwood River dam and spillway were damaged and eventually removed.
Swim pond hours
Open seasonally, from the first Friday in June through the third Sunday in August.
Monday - Wednesday: closed
Thursday - Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bringing kids?
Never assume someone else is watching your children, even for a moment! You cannot watch your children in the swim pond while you picnic, nap or read.
- Children ages six and younger may only enter the water when accompanied by an adult who is also in the water.
- Children ages 7-13 may enter the water as long as they have an adult chaperone watching them from the water or from the beach.
- Infants must wear swim diapers. Bring your own, or purchase some at the ranger station.
Rules for everyone
- Lifeguards are on duty when the swim pond is open. Absolutely no swimming is allowed when lifeguards are not on duty - no exceptions! Nobody may be in the water when lifeguards are on a break, or outside of swim pond hours.
- People in the water must be healthy. If you have an infectious or communicable disease or an open blister or cut, please stay out of the swim pond.
- Everyone in the water must wear swimwear. The fibers from regular clothing will damage our filtration system.
- Only Coast Guard approved lifejackets are allowed in the swim pond. No rafts, wings, tubes, noodles, kickboards or other "floaties." If you need a lifejacket, you can rent one from the ranger station.
- Pets are not allowed inside the fenced swim pond area or in any Minnesota state park buildings, including the beach house. Do not leave pets in your car on a hot day, even with a window cracked. This can be deadly!
- The swim pond is family friendly. Horseplay (running, shoving, dunking), intoxication and profanity are not allowed.
- Moving or playing or tampering with depth markers or buoy ropes is not allowed.
- No food or beverages are allowed in the water. Glass containers must be kept outside of the pond sidewalk.
- Umbrellas are discouraged, but may be used if they do not obstruct the view for our lifeguards. Build up a small pile of sand to anchor your umbrella - do not stick it straight into the sand, as this damages the pond liner.
- Intoxicating beverages are not allowed in any Minnesota state park.