Major park upgrades, new trails, and even more reasons to visit this year!

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March 2025

A winding path is flattened and gravel, awaiting paving.

📷: Improvements at William O'Brien State Park include making accessibility updates to the trails in and around the day use area.

What's New in 2025?

A new year means new adventures at Minnesota’s state parks and trails! Across the state, exciting improvements are underway—from new campgrounds and accessibility upgrades to extended trails and brand-new trail centers. This year’s projects will enhance outdoor experiences for all visitors, whether you’re looking for a smoother ride, a more comfortable stay, or an easier way to explore nature!

William O'Brien State Park

Accessibility and amenity improvements near completion.

Big changes are underway at William O’Brien State Park in 2025, bringing enhanced accessibility and modern amenities for all visitors to enjoy. This transformative project focuses on making the park more inclusive for visitors with disabilities while also upgrading facilities for everyone.

The construction, which began in 2024, closed the lower portion of the park—including all areas east of Highway 95. These areas will remain closed until spring 2025. However, much of the park remains open for exploration in the meantime.

Mark your calendars: The Walter F. Mondale Day Use Area, including the public water access, beach, and Riverside Trail, is set to reopen on May 1, 2025. Although the brand-new restrooms may not be available right away, vault toilets will be ready for use. The Riverway Campground and Riverside Group Camp will reopen on May 2, 2025, offering rustic camping with vault toilets through May. A newly renovated shower building is scheduled to open on June 1.

What’s coming to William O’Brien State Park:

Two new restroom buildings in the day-use area
Restroom upgrades in the Riverway Campground
A brand-new picnic shelter in the day-use area
Improved accessibility in the picnic area, amphitheater, Riverside Trail, and Riverway Campground
A safer, redesigned parking lot with better access to the beach
A larger, more accessible swimming beach
A new accessible canoe/kayak launch on Lake Alice
Improved carry-in access on the St. Croix River (coming Fall 2025)

This project is funded by state bonding and the Get Out MORE initiative (modernizing outdoor recreation experiences), ensuring that William O’Brien State Park will be more welcoming and enjoyable for all visitors in the years to come.

Sibley State Park

Lakeview Campground undergoes transformation.

Campers sit by the fire at dusk with a calm lake in the background.

📷: Campers at Sibley State Park's Lakeview Campground will enjoy larger sites after upgrages are complete.

The Lakeview Campground at Sibley State Park is getting a significant upgrade. As part of a redevelopment project, the campground is getting a full infrastructure and facilities overhaul to better serve visitors. Improvements include redesigned roadways, larger campsites, and updated historic buildings that meet modern safety and accessibility standards.

The project, funded in part by the Get Out MORE initiative, began in November 2023 and is planned to wrap up mid-May 2025. Until the project is complete, the Lakeview Campground will remain closed. However, visitors can still enjoy the Oak Ridge Campground (with electric and non-electric sites) and the horse campground, as well as nearby recreational facilities like the swimming beach, picnic area, and gift shop.

When complete, Lakeview Campground will offer a redesigned layout that improves space, accessibility, and stormwater management. The number of campsites will decrease from 71 to 41—but 40 of the 41 sites will now have electricity. A new, centrally located dump station will also replace the current, congested site.

Additionally, the park’s historic 1930s Veterans’ Conservation Corps buildings will undergo renovations that respect their original character while adding modern amenities and accessibility upgrades. Stay tuned for a refreshed and revitalized Lakeview Campground experience in 2025!

Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

New, ride-in-ride-out campground set to open Fall 2025.

A group of campers laugh around a campsite with OHVs in the background.

📷: OHV campers enjoy Foot Hills State Forest camping options, which are similar to the new recreation area's campground.

Exciting developments are rolling in at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. A brand-new campground designed specifically for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts will be located in a newly designated, 400 acre state recreation area that is just across Highway 169/1 from the park. Set to open in fall 2025, the Pyrite Campground will offer a unique adventure experience, connecting directly to the Prospectors ATV Trail. This extensive trail system links Ely, Babbitt, Embarrass, Tower, and Soudan, providing access to an expanding network of off-road trails stretching from the North Shore to the Canadian border.

The campground will be managed by state park staff and will offer amenities designed with off-road riders in mind. The facility will feature 24 large pull-through campsites—spacious enough for easy loading, unloading, and maneuvering of off-road vehicles. Both tent campers and RV travelers will be welcome.

Amenities will include a shower house, vault toilets, and an ATV wash station aimed at preventing the spread of invasive species like spotted knapweed and tansy, which can hitch rides on ATVs. A new trail in development will offer campers convenient access to nearby Tower and Soudan, where they can enjoy local amenities such as gas stations, restaurants, and shops.

Funded by $5.8 million in bonding funds from the Minnesota Legislature, this project fulfills an original vision for the park, bringing a one-of-a-kind off-road camping experience to the region. Get ready to rev up your engines—Pyrite Campground is set to become the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure in northern Minnesota!

Glendalough State Park

Get ready to explore new trail extension and new trail center.

A freshly paved path cuts through a bright green forest.

📷: The new trail extension, Glendalough Trail, freshly paved.

Exciting changes are underway at Glendalough State Park with the newly open Glendalough Trail extension and highly anticipated new trail center. These new amenities promise to elevate the park experience, offering fresh opportunities to explore, relax, and connect with nature.

The new portion of the Glendalough Trail is now open and stretches two miles from Sunset Lake to the park’s entrance. Designed with accessibility and safety in mind, this newly paved trail removes pedestrians and bikers from the main entrance roadway, creating a safer and more enjoyable route through the park’s picturesque landscapes. Not only does the trail offer breathtaking views—especially during the golden hours of dusk—it also completes the 12-mile Glendalough Trail loop, connecting the city of Battle Lake through Glendalough State Park.

Complementing this scenic addition is the brand-new trail center, designed to serve as the heart of the park’s recreational activities. The trail center, which should be complete in June 2025, provides a welcoming space where visitors can gather, plan their adventures, and learn more about the park’s unique ecosystems. Inside, guests will find helpful resources, including trail maps and educational information about local flora and fauna. Modern restrooms and comfortable seating areas offer a place to rest and recharge before or after hitting the trails. For those looking to try a new outdoor activity, the center will also offer equipment rentals, making it easier than ever to explore all that the park has to offer.

Tettegouche State Park

Baptism River bridge replacement underway.

A illustrated image of the Baptism River and an elevated pedestrian bridge stretching across the water.

Work to replace the Baptism River pedestrian bridge has begun at Tettegouche State Park. This high-traffic bridge has faced major challenges in recent years, suffering damage during severe flooding events in both May 2022 and June 2024. The most recent flood caused the bridge to fully detach. Now, after years of planning, a new, more resilient bridge is set to be installed, ensuring safe passage for visitors for years to come.

Crews began working on a temporary access trail in late February and will start bridge construction this summer. The new bridge will be made from Reinforced Fiberglass Polymer, a durable material designed to better withstand the elements and future flooding events. While the final completion date is set for late November 2025, crews are hopeful that most of the work will be completed by fall if everything goes according to plan.

Heads up to visitors this spring and summer:

To accommodate construction, the High Falls trailhead parking lot, Nature Play Area, and Group Camp sites at Tettegouche State Park will be closed as they will serve as staging areas for contractors. Additionally, multiple hiking trails on the west side of the river will be closed. Visitors should review the park's website and visitor alerts before exploring for more closure information. Hikers on the Superior Hiking Trail will also experience a slight reroute to ensure safety and minimize interactions with construction equipment. Thanks for your patience and understanding as this vital connection is rebuilt. Once complete, the new bridge will once again provide a scenic and safe way to explore one of Tettegouche State Park’s most beloved areas.

Minnesota Valley State Trail

New trail extension will open this spring.

A freshly paved path with dirt piles around the edges stretches into a lush forest.

Following delays caused by flooding, a long-awaited extension of the Minnesota Valley State Trail in Bloomington will be completed this spring. The new 1.7-mile paved segment extends the trail past its former dead-end between I-35 South and Hwy. 77/Cedar Ave., connecting it to existing trails in the Minnesota River Bottoms area.

Located within the 14,000-acre Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, this 10-foot-wide trail creates a seamless connection to regional trail networks, linking to the Dakota County and Three Rivers Park District systems.

Though close to urban development, the trail offers a scenic, natural escape—bringing visitors through a quiet, wooded corridor along the Minnesota River. Get ready to explore this new stretch of trail soon!

You Definitely Can!

I Can! outdoor skill building programs extend into September.

Whether you want to learn how to camp, paddle, fish, shoot a bow and arrow, or mountain bike this year— we say you can. The I Can! Programs are now extended into September, giving you an extra month of learning and fun this fall. Participants receive hands-on learning from experienced outdoor instructors. Plus, all gear is provided! Registration fees range from free to very affordable.

Don’t miss your chance to explore the great outdoors with I Can! programs in 2025! Sign up for I Can! email updates and be the first to know when the new schedule is released and a reminder when registration opens on April 1, 2025. Make sure you’re ready when spots open—they fill fast!

State Park Library Pass Program

More libraries will be included starting spring 2025.

Gloved hand holding up a state park library pass outside in winter.

Even more Minnesotans will be able to visit state parks for free through the State Park Library Pass Program later this year. Since 2021, the DNR has partnered with public libraries across the state to provide state park vehicle permits that can be checked out at no cost. You can check-out a free, seven-day pass to any state park or recreation area in Minnesota with a valid library card. Each participating library holds between 1 to 3 passes. Most passes are first come first serve, and certain libraries offer reservations. Passes must be displayed clearly in your vehicle’s dashboard when entering the park. The pass does not include camping.

The 2025 goal is to expand the Library Pass Program and ensure there is a participating library in all 87 counties. New locations will be announced in late spring.

See if you have a participating library in your neighborhood!

Not New - But Maybe New To You!

Translation services for state park and trail events.

Did you know that translation services are available for Minnesota state park and trail events? Whether you’re attending a guided hike, a naturalist program, or a special event, you can request a language interpreter—such as a Spanish language interpreter—to help make the experience more accessible and enjoyable.

The best part? This service is completely free for attendees who request the accommodation. To ensure availability, requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the event. Requesting translation services is simple: Just visit the event listing on the parks and trails event calendar and look for the contact information. You can call or email the event contact directly to submit your request.

Minnesota’s state parks and trails are for everyone—so take advantage of this resource and enjoy a more inclusive outdoor adventure!

New 2025 Vehicle Permits and Mugs

Every year, one Minnesota state park is featured on our vehicle permit stickers and handmade ceramic mugs. In 2025, the rugged wilderness and wild beauty of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is featured front and center to commemorate its 70th anniversary! Permit stickers and matching mugs with the new design are available now, in-person at state park offices and online.