 June 2025
 📷: The 2.7-mile Bluffside Trail at Frontenac State Park offers views of both the In Yan Teopa rock and bluffs along the river.
Beginner's Guide to State Parks and Trails
You’re invited to explore Minnesota’s state parks and trails—no experience needed! Whether you’re curious about hiking, eager to camp for the first time, or just looking for a peaceful place to unwind, we’ve got beginner-friendly tips, tools, and inspiration to help you get started with confidence.
Already a seasoned explorer? Consider forwarding this newsletter to a friend or family member who’s just getting started. You might be the reason they fall in love with Minnesota’s great outdoors. Let’s help more people feel welcome in wild places—because every journey starts with a first step.
 5 Beginner-Friendly Adventures to Try ✅
1. Plan a Day Trip with a Picnic
Sometimes the best way to start is to keep it simple. Pack a lunch, grab your water bottle, and head to a nearby state park for a low-key day of relaxing and exploring. Most parks have picnic areas with tables, flush restrooms, and nearby hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks or lakeside views. No reservation needed!
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2. Bike, Roll, or Stroll a Paved State Trail
Minnesota’s state trail system includes hundreds of miles of paved, mostly flat trails—perfect for bikes, rollerblades, strollers, wheelchairs, or walkers. Options like the Gateway, Paul Bunyan, and Root River state trails offer rest stops, towns, and shaded stretches ideal for your first outing. Grab a friend or the family for a state trail stroll. Go your own pace for as far as you'd like while enjoying the scenery!
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3. Join an I Can! Program
If you’re curious about camping, fishing, paddling, archery, or mountain biking, the I Can! programs are the perfect place to start. Hosted in Minnesota state parks, these hands-on, beginner-friendly classes provide the gear and the guidance—you just show up ready to learn and have fun! They’re especially great for families.
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4. Attend a Naturalist Program
Let a knowledgeable guide lead the way! Many parks offer free naturalist-led programs like wildflower walks, birding hikes, or animal tracking adventures. These are especially great for curious minds and anyone who wants to learn more about Minnesota’s natural wonders. Prefer to explore on your own? Stop by the park office for a Junior Ranger booklet to learn and explore independently.
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5. Pick an Iconic Minnesota Water Feature to Explore
If you're not sure where to go or what would be exciting to see, start with what Minnesota is known for—water! Minnesota state parks are home to some of the most incredible water features in the country. Stop by Itasca State Park and dip your toes in the very beginning of the Mississippi River at the headwaters. Pack a swimsuit and towel to enjoy the swimming beach at Father Hennepin or Lake Carlos state parks. You can also view the spectacular underground Turquoise Lake at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park on a cave tour—yes, it really is turquoise! Last but not least, Minnesota has no shortage of waterfalls to explore, from Minneopa to Grand Portage, the curtains of rushing water are sure to inspire.
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Try a Tour! 🚶➡️
Expert-led experiences are perfect for first-time visitors.
If you're just getting started with Minnesota state parks, guided tours are one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to explore. Led by expert naturalists, these tours take the guesswork out of your visit and introduce you to the landscapes, wildlife, and natural history that make each park unique. Check out the events calendar and tours webpage to find detailed date information and how to make reservations.
🕳️ Potholes Guided Tour
Explore glacial potholes and unique geology! Join a naturalist-led tour at Interstate State Park to explore the park’s famous glacial potholes—some of the deepest in the world. Uncover stories hidden within scenic river views. Discover how massive lava flows, glacial rivers, and human interest in the area shaped the landscape. Expect rocky terrain and short stairs on this 1/4-mile walk. Tours are free.
🔦️ Mystery Cave Tours
Venture into the hidden underground world of Minnesota’s longest cave. Mystery Cave at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park covers over 13 miles of underground passages created as water dissolves the rock. Each tour walks you through different cave paths with a knowledgeable guide and will showcase natural wonders like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, fossils, and beautiful underground pools. Walking tour options range from one hour to six hours. Prices vary by age and tour.
🐂 Prairie and Bison Tour
Experience the beauty of native Minnesota prairie as you travel into the bison range on an educational 90-minute tour. Blue Mounds State Park is home to part of the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd, which is managed to protect wild bison. The open-sided prairie tour vehicle holds 12 passengers. Tour dates and reservation information can be found on the park’s website. Tickets are $15 for ages 13+ and $10 for ages 4-12.
⛏️ Soudan Surface Tours
After an extreme flooding event in 2024, the underground tours at Lake Vermilion/Soudan Underground Mine State Park were suspended. Park staff are working hard to repair the damage and ensure the safety of the route. In the meantime, visitors are invited to tour the mine's buildings and features on the surface. Every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. you can join a naturalist for a tour of the crusher house, headframe, rescue room, and so much more! Tours are free and start at the top of the hour. Meet at the Dry House/Visitor Center to get started.
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 What's a Vehicle Permit & How Do I Get One? 🚙
If you’re driving into a Minnesota state park or recreation area, you’ll need a vehicle permit. You can choose a one-day permit for $7, or a year-round permit for $35.
Year-round permits are valid for one year from the month of purchase. For example, if you buy a permit today (June 5, 2025), your new permit will be valid through June 30, 2026.
Permits can be purchased online or in person at park offices. If you buy your permit online, display your order confirmation number on your vehicle's dash when you are in a park until your sticker arrives.
A variety of discount permits are available, such as for people with disabilities, active military member households, or second vehicle permits. Review all discounts on our website.
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What If I Get Lost? 🗺️
GeoPDFs show where you are—even without cell service.
 Do you worry about getting lost when you're out in the woods or on the water? Discover geoPDF maps and never lose your way! When you use geoPDF maps on your mobile device, a blue dot will show your location on the map as you move—even when your phone has NO service! This feature is available for every Minnesota state park, state trail, and state water trail.
The first step is downloading the free Avenza app to your mobile device. Next, you will download the park or trail map that you are visiting. In Avenza, search "MNDNR" plus the state park or trail name you are looking for. All state park and trail maps are free.
Claim Your Campsite 🏕️
Explore availability, set notifications, and reserve your stay online.
 You can reserve Minnesota state park campsites up to 120 days in advance on the reservation website. Use the online map to explore parks, check availability, and compare site types (tent, RV, camper cabins, electric, and more). You can also purchase your state park vehicle permit from the same website, so you’re ready to go when you arrive.
If the campsite you want is already booked, don’t give up! Try the “Notify Me” feature on the reservation site. Just click “Notify Me” for your desired dates and site, and you’ll receive an email if that site becomes available—perfect for last-minute openings or cancellations.
Once you make a reservation, remember that check-in is required by 11 a.m. the morning after your reservation starts. For example, if your reservation begins on Friday, you must check in or be set up by 11 a.m. Saturday morning. If you can’t arrive by then, be sure to call or email the park office to let them know. If park staff don’t hear from you, your reservation will be canceled without refund.
Adventure for All! ♿
Variety of accessibility options available to state park visitors.
Minnesota state parks should be accessible for everyone to enjoy. Studies continue to show the health benefits of time spent in nature. Last year, the DNR announced plans for accessibility improvements across state parks, including trails, naturalist programming, and facility modernizations. These improvements further expand Minnesotans' recreation opportunities!
Adaptive Outdoor Equipment
New adaptive equipment will be added to multiple state parks in the coming year. There are now 24 state parks with all-terrain track chairs. These electric-powered chairs help visitors explore more rugged areas of the parks. Some parks will receive floating beach chairs, accessible beach mats, accessible kayak launch ramps, non-motorized all-terrain chairs, color vision glasses, and adaptive listening devices. Reserving equipment is free and available to anyone who has a need.
Did you know state park visitors can request language access services? By contacting park staff or a program coordinator, the DNR will make a reasonable effort to ensure visitors have access to the accommodation they need, such as an interpreter. The DNR’s Language Access Plan was implemented in 2022 to help visitors request language interpretation for classes, guided hikes, and informational documents.
Visitors can reserve accessible campsites and camper cabins on the state parks reservation page. When making a reservation, visitors can look for the ADA icon (♿) to reserve a camping spot designed to accommodate those with physical disabilities. For Minnesota residents with physical disabilities, half-priced camping is available Sunday through Thursday nights. It does not apply to any cabins or group sites.
Educational exhibits and park signage are becoming more accessible and interactive. Simple design features like large text, high-contrast colors, and accessible heights improve ADA compliance. Multisensory exhibit elements incorporate tactile objects, audio elements, braille translations, and even scents! Audio description tour devices are also available at select visitor centers, preloaded with exhibit information. And, to better help neurodiverse visitors, state parks now offer sensory kits that include fidgets, earmuffs, and calming tools. Check a park’s webpage under the amenities tab or contact the park to see what
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 Where Will You Explore? 🥾
ParkFinder guides visitors to hidden gems and amazing overlooks.
Need help picking what state park or trail to explore? We’ve got you covered!
ParkFinder is an interactive map that allows you to zoom into the area of the state you're looking to visit. You can also filter by different options like paved trails, waterfalls, rentals, fire towers, and more.
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