Lake Gervais County Park
Little Canada, Minnesota · on Gervais Lake · Gervais Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- May
About Lake Gervais County Park
Lake Gervais County Park is a Ramsey County park at 2420 Edgerton Street in Little Canada, Minnesota, with a developed swimming beach on the 235-acre Gervais Lake. As county-park swimming holes go this one is well documented: the county describes a swimming beach with changing facilities, and the City of Little Canada notes the beach is heavily used for swimming and picnicking in summer, a sign that locals treat Gervais as a dependable lake to swim in.
The park sits on the shore of Gervais Lake, a roughly 235-acre lake with about 3.3 miles of shoreline and depths reaching 41 feet, in the suburban Twin Cities community of Little Canada just northeast of St. Paul. The lake was named for Benjamin Gervais, a pioneer who settled there in 1844.
Swimming at Lake Gervais County Park
The county-operated park has a designated swimming beach with on-site changing facilities. No information was found on lifeguard presence, water clarity, or bottom conditions.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 2420 Edgerton Street, Little Canada, Minnesota, on the shore of Gervais Lake, about a mile from downtown Little Canada.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up county park with a designated swimming beach directly off the parking/entrance area at 2420 Edgerton St; no hike or trail approach is needed to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It's a county-run designated swimming beach with changing facilities and an on-site playground, which points to family use, but no source confirms lifeguard presence, shoreline depth/slope, or bottom conditions (sand vs. muck), so young swimmers should be supervised closely rather than left to a confirmed shallow, guarded area.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and beach changing facilities on site per the official Ramsey County park page; the county notes there are no picnic shelters at this park.
Hours
5 a.m.-11 p.m., early May through mid-November, per the official Ramsey County park page (this is the county's park-specific listing and should govern over the city's generic 6 a.m.-10 p.m. blanket park-hours statement, which does not appear to be beach-specific).
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized only. The official Ramsey County park page lists "non-motorized boating" as a park amenity without naming specific craft, so kayak/canoe/paddleboard are inferred as covered by that phrase; motorized boats are not permitted at this access point.
There is a fishing pier and shoreline fishing access at the same beach area alongside the non-motorized boat access, per the official park page.
Backstory
Gervais Lake takes its name from Benjamin Gervais, a pioneer who settled at the lake in 1844 (per Wikipedia).
Lake Gervais County Park: FAQ
Is Lake Gervais County Park kid friendly?
It's a county-run designated swimming beach with changing facilities and an on-site playground, which points to family use, but no source confirms lifeguard presence, shoreline depth/slope, or bottom conditions (sand vs. muck), so young swimmers should be supervised closely rather than left to a confirmed shallow, guarded area.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Gervais County Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Gervais County Park?
No source found describing the parking lot's size, surface, or cost. The park's street address is 2420 Edgerton Street, Little Canada, MN 55117 (from prior enrichment), but neither the Ramsey County park page nor the Little Canada city page details parking specifically.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Gervais County Park?
There is a fishing pier and shoreline fishing access at the same beach area alongside the non-motorized boat access, per the official park page.
When is the best time to visit Lake Gervais County Park?
Early May through mid-November, matching the park's posted operating season.
What are the rules at Lake Gervais County Park?
Open 5 a.m.-11 p.m., early May to mid-November. The county publishes a separate park rules document, but its specific text (e.g., alcohol, glass, pets) could not be retrieved.
What water body is Lake Gervais County Park on?
Lake Gervais County Park is on Gervais Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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