The parks paved biking/hiking trails provide a loop between the visitor center and beach. The park is also a great place to begin an adventure on the connecting Medicine Lake and Bassett Creek Regional Trails.

Limited parking spaces are available for those launching watercraft; a daily or annual trailer parking pass is required. 

Paddleboats, rowboats, kayaks and canoes are available to rent during the summer. Sailboat slips and canoe/kayak racks are also available to rent.

Please contact the French Visitor Center at 763-694-7750 with any questions.

Lighted cross-country ski trails start at the visitor center and are groomed daily*. A daily or season pass is required to cross-country ski.

Before you visit, check our trail conditions page to make sure trails are open and to check grooming status. 

Advanced reservations are highly encouraged and can be made up to seven days in advance*. Reservations can be made online or by calling 763-559-6700 during regular business hours. Please note that time slots may not always be displayed online if rentals are currently not available.

*Dependent on weather conditions. Be sure to check our trail conditions page for timely updates.

Dogs on a six-foot, non-retractable leash are allowed on paved and turf trails. 

Owners must pick-up after their dogs. Dogs are not permitted on cross-country ski trails in the winter.

With nearly a mile of shoreline to explore, dip a line into the quiet lagoon or the open waters of Medicine Lake. 

An accessible fishing pier is available or rent a boat to while away the afternoon. A valid Minnesota fishing license is required.

Geocaching is a family-friendly, high-tech treasure hunt that combines respect for the environment with a sense of adventure. This activity involves placing or looking for a cache using global positioning system (GPS) equipment.

Spring, Summer & Fall Hiking

Turf trails feature views of marshlands, hills for climbing and a few seating areas for relaxing. Near the visitor center, a paved, 1.1-mile Trail at Your Pace features gentle terrain and rest stops every quarter mile. 

Paved trails provide a loop between the visitor center and beach and access to the paved Medicine Lake Regional Trail. Nordic walking poles and GPS units with pre-loaded geocaches are available to rent for free at the visitor center.

Fall Hiking – Lighted Trails:

Hike under the lights in fall. The Lagoon, Lakeview and Skyline have lights on until 10 PM until winter trail operations begin (typically after 2–3 inches of snowfall).

Winter Hiking & Walking

Go for a walk on the Medicine Lake Regional Trail, which connects French to Fish Lake Regional Park and Elm Creek Park Reserve. Access the trail from the French Visitor Center. For a different adventure, visit the 30-acre Nature Exploration Area. This natural area offers an ungroomed turf trail that circles a pond and wetlands. Challenge yourself on hills and valleys. Areas may be icy or snow-packed in winter. Boot grips and/or hiking poles are recommended.

Please note: In winter, hiking on cross-country ski trails is not permitted.

Rowboats, kayaks, paddleboats and canoes are available to rent at French Regional Park.

Limited parking spaces are available for those launching their own watercraft; a daily or annual trailer parking pass is required.

Watercraft rentals are available from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day every year. Boats can be reserved online up to seven days in advance or in person. Reserving online is encouraged to ensure availability. Reserve a boat.

Small watercraft rack rentals are also available online on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve a small watercraft rack.

Picnic tables and grills are provided on a first-come, first-served basis near the lake and next to the visitor center. 

Two picnic areas with shelters are reservable for groups. 

The Visitor Center has concessions, public seating and restrooms.

The French Regional Park play area features iconic towers and nets, slides and more. Learn more about the project and see photos of the play area. 

A lighted and groomed sledding hill for non-rail sleds is located near the visitor center. 

Rent a sled from the visitor center or bring your own. Snowboards and tubes are not allowed.

Explore two different areas to snowshoe in the park. Please note: Snowshoeing is not permitted on cross-country ski trails unless otherwise noted.

Nature Exploration Area: This 30-acre natural area offers an ungroomed turf trail that circles a pond and wetland and offers hills and valleys to traverse.

Lagoon Trail: This 1.5K lighted trail is groomed for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing*. Great for beginners, it traverses through woods, along the lagoon and over gentle hills. Lighted until 10 PM.

Rent Snowshoes

Advanced reservations are highly encouraged and can be made up to seven days in advance*. Reservations can be made online or by calling 763-559-6700 during regular business hours. Please note that time slots may not always be displayed online if rentals are currently not available.

*Dependent on weather conditions. Be sure to check our trail conditions page for timely updates.

Beat the summer heat at the Medicine Lake swimming beach. Changing rooms and restrooms are located nearby. 

No lifeguard on duty. The swimming beach is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 9 AM–8 PM daily.