News and notes from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
CELEBRATE GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH, NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY AND FREE PARK DAY ON JUNE 13
June is Great Outdoors Month, making it an ideal time to get outside and explore Minnesota’s outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
A perfect day to do so is Free Park Day on Saturday, June 13, which also coincides with National Get Outdoors Day. On this date, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will waive vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas.
“Great Outdoors Month is the perfect time to get outside and experience everything Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas have to offer,” said Ann Pierce, DNR Parks and Trails Division director. “Free Park Day gives everyone an even better opportunity to discover a new favorite place, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being outdoors. We encourage everyone to get outside and explore Minnesota’s incredible natural resources.”
In addition to offering popular activities such as hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, paddling and birding, a variety of state park programs are open to all visitors. There are 23 programs scheduled for June 13. These programs are free, but some require preregistration.
To help plan a Free Park Day outing, the DNR offers these tips: Find a state park or recreation area by using the ParkFinder tool on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/parkfinder).
• Always check visitor alerts before leaving home. These notifications about things that might impact visits can be found at the top of each state park website. Start at the DNR’s A to Z park list (mndnr.gov/park-list).
• Check the weather forecast before leaving home and bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the forecasted conditions.
• Pack enough water and snacks for everyone in the group, a first aid kit, insect repellant and sunscreen.
• For those bringing pets, don’t forget a leash, water, snacks, and bags to clean up after them.
June 13 is one of four free days during the year. The vehicle permit waiver for Free Park Day does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping or watercraft rentals. Details are on the Free Park Day web page (mndnr.gov/freeparkday).
If people can’t make it on Free Park Day, seven-day vehicle permits are also available for check out at participating libraries through the DNR’s State Parks Library Program (mndnr.gov/library-pass).
DNR LAUNCHES NEW STATE WATER TRAIL MAPS, RECOMMENDED PADDLING SECTIONS
The Minnesota Department of Resources recently launched more than 60 new state water trail maps.
In addition to offering the most-accurate navigation to help paddlers explore everywhere from the Red River in the northwest to the Root River in the southeast, the new maps include recommended paddling sections across the state.
“Because Minnesota’s outstanding water trail system is so large, figuring out where to go can be overwhelming for some users. We reviewed the whole system to identify sections on each state water trail’s map that are most likely to provide an enjoyable experience for paddlers of all ages and abilities,” said Nancy Stewart, DNR water recreation consultant.
In addition to being appropriate for paddlers of all ages and abilities, recommended sections offer:
• Fewer obstacles, such as dams, rapids and woody obstructions at typical water levels
• Well-marked and maintained portages and public access facilities
• A variety of options for trip length and duration Minnesota has more than 4,500 miles as part of its 35 designated state water trails. For a full list of state water trails, visit the DNR’s website (mndnr.gov/watertrails/az.html). New maps can be found on each individual state water trail webpage. On each map, recommended paddling sections are shaded under the route description.
It’s important to remember that river conditions, even on recommended routes, can change at any time with little notice. Be sure to check current river levels before leaving home (mndnr.gov/ river_levels/index.html). For more paddling safety tips, visit the DNR’s paddling safety webpage (mndnr.gov/watertrails/paddling_safety.
