Clifton E. French Regional Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Clifton E.
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Summary
French Regional Park is a popular destination in the state of Minnesota, known for its beautiful natural setting and numerous recreational opportunities. Located in the city of Plymouth, the park covers over 340 acres of land and features a variety of amenities for visitors of all ages.
One of the main attractions of Clifton E. French Regional Park is its expansive lake, which is perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating. The park also has several hiking and biking trails, as well as picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields.
Other points of interest in the park include the Nature Center, which offers educational programs and exhibits about the local flora and fauna, and the Disc Golf Course, which is popular with players of all skill levels.
Interesting facts about Clifton E. French Regional Park include its history as a former gravel quarry, which has now been transformed into a beautiful natural area. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species.
The best time of year to visit Clifton E. French Regional Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is ideal for swimming, boating, and outdoor sports, while fall is a great time to see the changing colors of the leaves and enjoy hiking. Winter brings opportunities for ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Clifton E. French Regional Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities of Minnesota.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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