A close-knit community and easy access to Mankato in Eagle Lake
Winding streets lined with maples and oaks lie throughout the small town of Eagle Lake. Just 7 miles from downtown Mankato, Eagle Lake is a quiet bedroom community with easy access to major roads and plentiful room for outdoor recreation. “We have a wonderful, neighborly community here in Eagle Lake,” says Jenna Mohr, a Realtor with RE/MAX Dynamic Agents and owner of The Home Team who has lived in the area for her whole life. “Around every corner, there’s a familiar face, and people look out for each other. A lot of people who were raised here end up staying or moving back here later in life. When someone is in need, people volunteer their time to help. Neighbors help neighbors.”
Historic bungalows and brand-new subdivisions
Farmhouses and bungalows surrounding Parkway Avenue date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while most of the area’s split-levels, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes were built between the 1960s and the early 2000s. New subdivisions are continuing to develop in Eagle Lake, with some brand-new townhomes and single-family builds on the south side of town. Many homes have attached two-car garages, fenced-in back yards and quarter-acre lots. Homes range from $160,000 to $530,000, with prices increasing with square footage and newer builds.
Dual enrollment at Mankato East Senior High
Many of the city’s homes are within a mile of Eagle Lake Elementary School, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche. The B-rated Prairie Winds Middle School is a short drive away. Mankato East Senior High School receives a B-plus and has a variety of extracurriculars, from Knowledge Bowl and Math League to Drama Club and Debate. Students can also earn dual credit by taking concurrent enrollment courses through South Central College or Minnesota State University.
Sports facilities and a popular walking and biking trail
Lake Eagle Park has a playground, walking paths, a dog park and facilities for baseball and baseball. In the winter months, the basketball court is converted into an ice hockey rink. The community’s namesake lake lies just north of town. Eagle Lake Park has a boat ramp, a dock and open field space. Nearby, the paved Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail winds for 39 miles through nearby towns like Elysian and Waterville, connecting with the Minnesota River Trail to the west. The trail is ideal for horseback riding, walking, biking and horseback riding and passes by lakeside parks, natural areas and picnic areas.
Tator Days and Summer Sounds in Eagle Lake
Tator Days is an annual, week-long tradition in Eagle Lake. Each July, the event hosts sports tournaments, live music, food vendors, a 5k run and a parade. Eagle Lake Summer Sounds is a free concert series where locals bring camp chairs and blankets to Lake Eagle Park to enjoy music and burgers.
A local watering hole and access to major shopping centers
While Eagle Lake is largely residential, there are a few businesses along Parkway Avenue, including banks, a dentist's office and a beauty salon. Eagle’s Nest serves as the local watering hole and offers pub fare and pizza. The eatery is known for its 2-pound Duke Burger, which serves four to six people. Casey’s is a nearby option for take-out pizza. “I often joke that Eagle Lake is closer to Mankato than Mankato itself,” Mohr says. “Because it’s a shorter drive to downtown compared to some of the suburbs on the outskirts. We’re very much our own community, but we have the convenience of being only minutes from the city.” The community is less than 5 miles from Minnesota state Highway 22 in Mankato, which is lined with shopping centers and eateries. River Hills Mall has over 70 shops and restaurants, from large department stores to quaint clothing boutiques. Sam’s Club, ALDI and Walmart are nearby options for groceries.
Driving to downtown Mankato
Drivers can take either 216th Street or United States Route 14 around 7 miles west to downtown Mankato. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International is the nearest airport offering commercial flights, roughly 80 miles north.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
