(Minnesota) — November 24th, 2023 — On four days each year, all 75 Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone – no vehicle permits needed! Here are the fee-free dates in 2024: Monday, January 15, 2024 Saturday, April 27, 2024 Saturday, June 8, 2024 Friday, November 29, 2024 Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there’s a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a
(Twin Cities, MN) — May 26th, 2023 — After closure due to flooding, Fort Snelling State Park will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 27. The visitor center, park office, parking lots, swimming beach, picnic area near the beach and Snelling Lake trail will be available to the public. Some other areas will remain closed. Fort Snelling State Park will host three events with the park’s interpretive naturalists this
(Minnesota) — November 25th, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will waive entrance fees to all 75 state parks and recreation areas Friday, Nov. 25 — the day after Thanksgiving. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the vehicle permit requirement to enter state parks and recreation areas. The goal of Free Park Days is to encourage Minnesotans to
(St Paul, MN) — August 28th, 2022 — The Minnesosta DNR has opened the Historic DNR Building at the State Fair. Each year, the pond is stocked with about 40 different species of fish that call Minnesota home. During the State Fair, the webcam provides a live stream, showcasing the fish underwater.During the off season, the footage is provided as recording of fish in the state fair fish pond. Check
(Minnesota) — July 11th, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has resources and foresters available to help landowners manage woodlands damaged by recent tornadoes and storms. “Seeing trees down in your woods and coming up with a plan for cleanup can be overwhelming,” said Jennifer Teegarden, cooperative forest management outreach specialist. “Be sure to take advantage of the help the DNR can provide to you.” The DNR has
(Minnestota) — June 27th, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties. Volunteers are needed, for a minimum of one morning during the July 2 through July 12 monitoring period, to count the number of adult and juvenile loons on pre-selected lakes. For more than 20 years, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteer observers,
(Carlton, MN) — June 16th, 2022 — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has named Eric Senarighi, a Carlton resident and president of the Carlton County Riders ATV Club, as the 2021 ATV Safety Instructor of the Year. Senarighi is a longtime ATV enthusiast who has taught ATV safety, through the club and individually, for years. The club trains about 100 kids per year during classes in the spring and
(Minnesota) — June 6, 2022 — During Take a Kid Fishing weekend (Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12) Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger along. “Fishing together with kids is a fun way to spend time in the outdoors,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Making great memories can be as easy as finding
(Minnesota) — June 1st, 2022 — Beginning June 2, visitors with mobility disabilities can use an all-terrain track chair or an adaptive beach chair at five state parks throughout the state. The all-terrain track chairs enable visitors with mobility disabilities to explore non-accessible trails and other areas within state parks. Track chairs are off-road, electric powered chairs that can be used on designated trails within the park. These chairs can
(Minneapolis, MN) — May 7th, 2022 — Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen joined other moms and kids for a shoreline and pier fishing gathering at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis the morning of Saturday, May 7. It was an opportunity to highlight the easy ways to try this pastime and to introduce more people to fishing and spend time together outdoors. “Fishing is
(Duluth, MN) — May 6th, 2022 — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Kipp Duncan has been named the 2021 DNR Conservation Officer of the Year, which is an annual award presented to an officer for outstanding overall career performance. Duncan works the Duluth East station, where he’s been since 2007. He was stationed in Two Harbors from the beginning of his DNR career in 2001 until transferring to
(Tower, MN) — March 21st, 2022 — Visitors to Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park can learn about the rich history of Minnesota’s first iron ore mine in a new surface tour that will be offered this summer. Beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day, historical interpreters will be available to lead visitors on a 1.5-hour tour around the mine complex, highlighting the variety of buildings and
