Photo of Clifton E. French Regional Park in Minnesota1 / 2
Playgrounds

Clifton E. French Regional Park

📍 Plymouth, MN

4.7(2,880 Google reviews)

Clifton E. French Regional Park spans Medicine Lake's north shore with a swimming beach, fishing pier, 4.6-mile paved trail loop, paddleboat and kayak rentals, picnic areas, and a playground — plus winter cross-country ski trails.

swimming beachboat rentalspaved trailsfishing piercross-country skiingpicnic areas
★★★★★Featured review by Robby Dube

An awesome park for kids of all ages and way trails too!

🏆 Family Action Verdict

A standout for families who want water access, trails, and active rentals in one place. The beach suits toddlers through teens, boat rentals add adventure for older kids, and the paved trail loop works for strollers and bikes. Go on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Boat rentals operate seasonally — visit the French Visitor Center or call ahead to confirm availability
Trailer parking for watercraft requires a daily or annual pass — plan for this if launching your own boat
🎟️Winter cross-country skiing requires advance reservations — book up to seven days ahead online
🚗Weekends draw large crowds; weekday visits offer a noticeably more relaxed experience

💬 What Families Are Saying

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4.7

2,880 Google reviews

Beach & water access40%
Trails & outdoor exploration30%
Boat rentals20%
Weekend crowds10%
R

Robby Dube

An awesome park for kids of all ages and way trails too!

J

Jean Marie Jones

Such a lovely park within the Plymouth City limits. It does get very very crowded on the weekends though. There's several ponds there's a beach there's lots of picnic areas and wonderful walking paths.

Reviews from Google

Overview

French Regional Park in Plymouth is a full-day destination on Medicine Lake. The swimming beach is the summer anchor, joined by a fishing pier and rental paddleboats, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes. Paved trails run 4.6 miles in a loop connecting the visitor center and beach, with links to regional trail networks. The playground rounds out options for younger children. In winter, 5.8 miles of lighted, groomed cross-country ski trails take over — advance reservations are encouraged.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday05:00 – 22:00
Tuesday05:00 – 22:00
Wednesday05:00 – 22:00
Thursday05:00 – 22:00
Friday05:00 – 22:00
Saturday05:00 – 22:00
Sunday05:00 – 22:00

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