The lake is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, connecting with Lake of the Isles on the northeast, Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake on the northwest, and Lake Harriet on the south.
 The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board trail system has a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) trail around the lake for bicyclists and skaters and a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) trail around it for pedestrians.
 Both of these trails connect to the larger trail system via connections to Lake of the Isles and Lake Harriet.
 In addition, the Midtown Greenway Trail is located just north of the lake and Lake Street.
 The lake itself is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing, and it has three swimming beaches.

The three beaches are North Beach on the north side of the lake, 32nd Beach on the east, and Thomas Beach on the south.
 There is Bde Maka Ska Park and surrounding park land offers parking, picnicking, volleyball, and athletic fields.
 It is also home of sailing, hosting the Calhoun Yacht Club, the Minneapolis Sailing Center, as well as local high school teams and the University of St. Thomas Sailing Team.

From 1829-1839, it was the site of the Bdewákhathuŋwaŋ Dakota agricultural village known as Ḣeyate Otuŋwe.
 A plaque on the east side of the lake commemorates the mission station built by Samuel and Gideon Pond where they created the first alphabet for the Dakota language at Cloudman's Village.
 In 2019, the Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project was completed on the village site.
On the west side is The Bakken, an old mansion with medicinal gardens and a library and museum devoted to medical electricity and the history of electromagnetism.
The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line operates between the lake and Lake Harriet.
The lake is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, connecting with Lake of the Isles on the northeast, Cedar Lake and Brownie Lake on the northwest, and Lake Harriet on the south.  The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board trail system has a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) trail around the lake for bicyclists and skaters and a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) trail around it for pedestrians.  Both of these trails connect to the larger trail system via connections to Lake of the Isles and Lake Harriet.  In addition, the Midtown Greenway Trail is located just north of the lake and Lake Street.  The lake itself is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing, and it has three swimming beaches.
The three beaches are North Beach on the north side of the lake, 32nd Beach on the east, and Thomas Beach on the south.  There is Bde Maka Ska Park and surrounding park land offers parking, picnicking, volleyball, and athletic fields.  It is also home of sailing, hosting the Calhoun Yacht Club, the Minneapolis Sailing Center, as well as local high school teams and the University of St. Thomas Sailing Team.
From 1829-1839, it was the site of the Bdewákhathuŋwaŋ Dakota agricultural village known as Ḣeyate Otuŋwe.  A plaque on the east side of the lake commemorates the mission station built by Samuel and Gideon Pond where they created the first alphabet for the Dakota language at Cloudman's Village.  In 2019, the Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project was completed on the village site. On the west side is The Bakken, an old mansion with medicinal gardens and a library and museum devoted to medical electricity and the history of electromagnetism. The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line operates between the lake and Lake Harriet.
Bde Maka Ska