HomeMinnesotaPlymouth › East Medicine Lake Park

East Medicine Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 786 Google reviews · Running trail in Plymouth, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from East Medicine Lake Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedScenicRestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

Kids and adults like this park, with playground equipment, a lakeshore beach, picnic tables, and trails.

What runners say about East Medicine Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (786 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“There is a really cute and clean park with a super cool very tall slide that when I brought the kids on a later date, they informed me this was their new favorite park.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“What a great and beautiful park in between the hustle and bustle of the suburbs and close to the cities!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“But we went on a quiet day, so it was perfect!”

This is a great trail! You can park here and access the trails leading to Theo Wirth and many other spots. I saw many birds, passed a little closer to houses and streets than I liked but forfor it’s location it is great. A beautiful view of the lake and tables to hang out if you don’t have a blanket or chairs!!

★★★★☆ — D , Jul 2023

Super hard to find/get to. Awesome park. Not a 5 because of access. Bbq and pavilion there to have hangouts and weekend get togethers. The kids playground isn't quantity it iS quality! Super fun slides, even I thought the tube one is fast.

★★★★☆ — Justn , Aug 2022

Wow! What a great and beautiful park in between the hustle and bustle of the suburbs and close to the cities! This park is easy to get to right near HWY 169 and located on Medicine Lake. There’s a ton of biking/walking/running trails that go through it.

★★★★★ — Sarah , Sep 2024

I found East Medicine Lake Park on a drive exploring the area. It's a a nice park. The best thing about it is that it's kind of tucked away and hidden in a rather dense area. It offers the usual municipal park amenities, picnic tables, climbing things for kids, a small beach and a walking/biking trail.

★★★★☆ — Charles , Jan 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 786 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 13 mentions

“What a great and beautiful park in between the hustle and bustle of the suburbs and close to the cities!”

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🚻 Restrooms 9 mentions

“Also a public bathroom, beach area, grassy area, and the paved path for walking/biking/skating.”

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🚰 Water fountains 5 mentions

“The park has drinking fountains and benches, also a beach for sandcastles and swimming.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“There is a paved parking lot but it only has 40 to 50 spots so it would Lively be full on the weekends in the summertime.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“There is a paved parking lot but it only has 40 to 50 spots so it would Lively be full on the weekends in the summertime.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“But we went on a quiet day, so it was perfect!”

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Plan your run at East Medicine Lake Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websiteplymouthmn.gov
  • Phone+1 763-509-5200

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday 9 am–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–9 pm
Sunday 9 am–9 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find East Medicine Lake Park

1740 E Medicine Lake Blvd, Plymouth, MN 55441

Get directions

Running trails near Plymouth

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Golden Ridge Nature Area

4.9 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

Golden Valley, MN

under a mile away

General Mills Research Nature Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 76 reviews

Golden Valley, MN

Paved

Quaint, wooded greenery with paved trails for walking and biking, plus a playground.

under a mile away

General Mills Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

Golden Valley, MN

Scenic

Nature preserve with a short trail for exploring native plants and a habitat for monarch butterflies.

1.3 miles away

Hidden Valley Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 165 reviews

New Hope, MN

Dog-friendly

Shaded neighborhood park with jogging paths, a pond, sports facilities & a winter skating rink.

1.3 miles away

West Medicine Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 383 reviews

Plymouth, MN

Scenic

Lakeside recreation place with a boat launch & beach, plus picnic pavilions, a playground & trails.

1.6 miles away

Brookview Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 475 reviews

Golden Valley, MN

ShadedLitScenicDog-friendly

This 33-acre public space offers playground equipment, trails & multiple sport courts & fields.

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Plymouth, MN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.