Stories that made us smile this year. ☺️



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" December 2025"

A family sits by a bonfire in winter. [ [link removed] ]

??: Afton State Park

Gather Round for State Park Stories ??

This December, we're gathering around the figurative table to share some special stories with you. Think of this issue as a warm conversation after a big meal — the kind where people trade memories, laugh about the unexpected moments, remember the challenges, and celebrate what carried us through. From state park staff spotlights and behind-the-scenes moments, to stories that made us smile, this month’s Trailblazer is all about the people and experiences that shaped our year outdoors.

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Park ranger Jody stands in uniform between her parents. Her parents hold up photos of the grandparents who also worked in the park. [ [link removed] ]

??: Jody and family members hold photos of relatives who worked in Soudan Mine.

Bear Head Lake's "‘Double Ranger’" Jody Popesh 

"When being a park ranger runs in the family."

For Jody Popesh, being a park ranger at *Bear Head Lake State Park* [ [link removed] ] is as ingrained in her identity as is being an iron ranger (a term that refers to those who live in the Iron Range, an area in northeastern Minnesota rich in iron ore). Fondly referring to herself as a “double ranger,” Jody comes from a family deeply connected to the Iron Range—both her grandfathers and father worked in mines in the region; her grandfathers, in particular, worked at *Soudan Underground Mine* [ [link removed] ] before it was designated a state park in 1963. One of her grandfathers—grandfather Popesh—picked up odd jobs to provide for his family after retiring from the mines because of a health diagnosis, which led him to Bear Head Lake State Park. Jody never thought she’d be managing the same state park where her grandfather once worked.

“I like to think he would be happy and proud that he helped sculpt the campsites that his granddaughter would one day manage, decades later,” Jody says. “Especially since, at the time, there were minimal if any female park rangers, let alone park managers.”

Jody began her career with Minnesota State Parks and Trails in college. In order to graduate from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, she interned at Soudan Underground Mine State Park in 1999, before it merged with nearby Lake Vermilion. Since this “life-changing internship,” Jody made it a goal to work in different biomes of Minnesota, taking positions at state parks such as *Itasca [ [link removed] ]*, *McCarthy Beach* [ [link removed] ], *Nerstrand-Big Woods* [ [link removed] ], and *St. Croix* [ [link removed] ]. However, her calling was always back in the Iron Range. She returned to the region to work at Bear Head Lake State Park, where she has been for the last 15 years.

Jody holds a plaque for America's Best Restroom at Bear Head Lake State Park. She holds it up to the state park entrance sign as if to hang it. [ [link removed] ]

Jody’s dedication to the state park can be seen in her interactions with both staff and visitors alike. “I enjoy seeing families come each year and watch them grow up,” she says when asked about her favorite moments of being an Assistant Park Supervisor. “I often wonder if the youth I talk to will one day join the natural resources field.”

Her impact is visible not just in the relationships she builds with visitors, but in the park itself. This year, Bear Head Lake State Park earned national attention when it won America’s Best Restroom from Cintas. Jody helped film a lighthearted video [ [link removed] ] to celebrate the win, searching for just the right place to display the award — a moment that speaks to her mix of pride, humor, and deep connection to this park she calls home.

When onboarding new staff, Jody likes to point out trees that previous employees have planted. “I want them to know that what they do while working at Bear Head Lake State Park really does matter, even if they don’t realize it at the time.”

More than a family connection to the state park, Jody also feels a deep responsibility to care for the land for future generations. She loves watching the forests grow and the water sparkle, to encounter wildlife from afar and know that she is part of protecting the precious natural resources within the state park boundary.

“It’s important to pause and realize how fortunate it is that we are entrusted to help conserve these natural spaces," she says. “At times when I pause, all my senses come together and it feels like you are part of that outdoor space. There’s no other feeling like it.”

"Interested in starting a career with Minnesota State Parks and Trails? Check out our careers page [ [link removed] ] and keep an eye open for seasonal position postings, like Jody's first internship, starting in January! "



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A researcher lies flat writing on a clip board in a very narrow crevice in a cave. [ [link removed] ]

??: Inside Mystery Cave, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Unseen Action: Underground Research ??

"Mystery Cave reveals new secrets. "

For the past two years at *Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park* [ [link removed] ], a dedicated crew of park staff, scientists, and Iowa college students has been crawling, climbing, walking, squirming, and occasionally swimming through the 14-mile-long cave system. In some places they’re just six to ten feet below the soil; in others, they’re two to three stories deep. And yes—they get muddy. Really muddy.

A pair of boots stick out from a small crevice in a dark cave. [ [link removed] ]

Their goal? To create the most complete map of Mystery Cave ever made, said Dawn Ryan, Mystery Cave Supervisor. The cave has been mapped before she said, just not at this level of detail. So why does mapping matter?

Caves are essentially the arteries of the underground world, carrying groundwater—and anything that enters that groundwater—swiftly through passages. “The mapping benefits those doing research and it benefits those of us doing cave management,” she explained. “For example, learning how the water flows and where it goes reveals the hydrologic history of the area.” In short, Mystery Cave acts like a gigantic conduit, offering important clues about environmental health.



Most people who visit Mystery Cave [ [link removed] ] for the first time ask about the obvious characteristics: cave length, stalactites, the cool temperature, or that signature damp air. Those are easy to notice. But what about the parts they "can’t" see? What mysteries are tucked away in a cave that has quietly existed beneath our feet for more than 450 million years? The modest cave openings give no hint of what lies underground – like the lakes, rivers, steep hills, hidden valleys, caverns, crossways, tunnels, and tight crawl spaces. All of those were carved out when the region was still underwater. Much of that world remained unseen—until now.

A researcher sits on the ground of a dark cave while looking at a clip board. [ [link removed] ]

When septic systems fail or animal waste reaches a river, pollutants don’t just sit on the surface. They can shoot through the cave system at surprising speed, moving contamination downstream to other communities. Sediment, chemicals, and nutrients all leave their fingerprints behind. “The cave gives us a heads up on pollutants,” she said.

This summer’s careful survey work—messy, muddy, boots-stuck-in-the-clay kind of work—offers more than just measurements. It provides a snapshot of the cave’s past and a clear guide for how to protect it today.

The project is not easy. A YouTube video [ [link removed] ], "“Mystery Cave Underground: Mapping for the Future,”" produced by Northern Iowa University, shows hardhat-wearing explorers squeezing through muddy passageways, lights bouncing off wet limestone, measuring tools in hand. The crew wiggles through tight openings, hauls gear through flowing water, and cheers when breaking through into a newly measured chamber.

The study is currently funded by Northern Iowa University and NASA through 2029. While state park visitors won’t spot the survey crew during their tour, anyone walking through Mystery Cave next summer will be just a few feet—or a few stories—above this incredible work. 

"Note: Mystery Cave tours have concluded for the 2025 season. Come see the magic of Mystery Cave in person next year starting May 9, 2026!"



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A huge tree has fallen on top of a brown state park building. [ [link removed] ]

??: Storm damage to facilities, Lake Bemidji State Park

Lake Bemidji State Park's Cleanup Effort ??

"A summer storm brings park staff and the community ""together""."

In June, *Lake Bemidji State Park [ [link removed] ]* was hit overnight with a natural disaster larger than anyone could have imagined. In the early morning of June 21, 2025, a storm with wind speeds equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane tore a path roughly 10 miles wide through Beltrami County. Across DNR-managed lands in the region, more than 1,100 acres were impacted. Within Lake Bemidji State Park alone, about 300 acres were forever changed—destroying the state park’s old-growth forest and reshaping the landscape in a single night.

A person in a yellow safety vest and hard hat looks out at a grove of trees with substantial damage and debris on the ground. [ [link removed] ]

The campground was full when the storm struck early Saturday morning. Park Supervisor Pete Harrison wasn’t at the park that night, but he credits the overnight staff with getting everyone to safety. On-duty night security staff member Mike—hired only three weeks earlier—and the park’s long-time campground hosts went site to site, alerting campers and guiding them to shelter, working calmly together in the dark. 

Chainsaws and heavy equipment were mobilized that same day as DNR staff from multiple divisions rushed in to help. Support arrived from every region of Minnesota—some southern state park staff even took time off their regular jobs to drive north and offer a hand. Many park staff who live in Bemidji were also dealing with damage to their own homes, yet still showed up to work and took time to help neighbors. The cleanup became a true team effort, with people stepping in wherever they were needed.

Volunteer interest poured in from the surrounding community as well. Longtime visitors who consider Lake Bemidji their family camping tradition reached out, eager to help restore a place they love. Even those personally affected by the storm damage looked for ways to support one another. The shared effort created a sense of unity that carried the park through those difficult first days.



A person in a yellow safety vest stands in front of a pile of tree debris. [ [link removed] ]

The state park closed for only one week—by the following weekend, the campground was almost full again. Pete emphasizes that severe weather events are becoming less predictable with climate change and that parks must prepare accordingly. The team at Lake Bemidji plans to continue discussing how to respond to future disasters. The aftermath of the storm brought park staff closer together and proved that not only state parks, but Minnesotans, show up for one another when it matters most. Learn advice and tips for dealing with storm-damaged trees on the DNR website. [ [link removed] ]

"The Lake Bemidji State Park cleanup team honorable mentions—Naturalist, Christa | Assistant Park Supervisor, Shannon | Lead Maintenance, Dan | Minnesota state park staff, Alex, Frank, Margy, Taylor, Nik, Jon, and Haley | DNR Resource team, Cindy, Jonathan, Louis, Jeff, and Tanner"



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A wood-tiled sculpture of a salamander perches on top of an interpretive display. [ [link removed] ]

??: Blue-Spotted Salamander sculpture, Sibley State Park

Sibley's Updated Interpretive Exhibit??

"The Blue-Spotted Salamander and climate change."

*Sibley State Park [ [link removed] ]* will soon unveil a remodeled exhibit space featuring a wooden mosaic Blue-Spotted Salamander sculpture as its centerpiece. The exhibit draws park visitors in with large-scale art, pop-up-book-style displays, and interactive elements, appealing to all ages.

Looking inside a new interpretive area in a state park building. [ [link removed] ]

Years in the making, the exhibit’s theme introduces visitors to how the state park is being shaped by climate change. Recognizing the challenges of the topic, it was acknowledged that state park visitors have different levels of science backgrounds and would need a specific example to follow. The Blue-Spotted Salamander was chosen as an approachable species to symbolize the park’s changing ecosystem. Climate change is threatening salamander habitat in the park the same way it’s affecting the habitat loss of many plants and animals.

The exhibit theme was guided by expert insights including DNR research and advice from a DNR climatologist. The DNR also collaborated with tribal partners to ensure the exhibit content is inclusive of indigenous worldviews. By the end of the exhibit’s guided message, visitors are asked to consider their role in stewardship.



A display features a bronze, touchable replication of a toad sitting in a den. [ [link removed] ]

Visitors can also engage in tactile exploration with bronze animal sculptures, such as a life-size toad in a burrow. An accessibility station in the exhibit provides sensory packs, fidgets, noise-muffling headphones, and braille books to accommodate a variety of visitor needs. Soon, interactive audio description devices will be added to the station. All interpretive displays are placed at accessible heights and angles for wheelchair users. The goal is to ensure that every visitor can engage fully with the exhibit and its messages.

Sibley State Park’s new salamander sculpture will invite visitors to discover the ecosystem of the state park and consider how they, too, can shape the future of Minnesota’s landscape. The exhibit will open this winter. Visit the Sibley State Park website [ [link removed] ] to learn more about the park and plan an upcoming visit. 



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A mother bear and cub stand on the side of a road next to a wall of trees. [ [link removed] ]

??: St. Croix State Park

Curious Camp Guests at St. Croix State Park ??

"Campers treated to their first black bear sightings. "

Wildlife encounters aren’t uncommon in Minnesota state parks, but they always make for unforgettable stories. For Brian Geisler, outdoor recreation specialist for the I Can! program, seeing a black bear in person was on his outdoor wish list. Little did Brian know that a single I Can! trip this past summer would give him enough bear stories for many campfire circles to come!

The day before the action, Brian arrived at *St. Croix State Park* [ [link removed] ] to do some setup for the I Can Camp! program he'd be leading the next day. Park staff mentioned that black bears had been spotted in a camping area near where his group would be staying. The morning of the program, Brian got his first real bear spotting: a mother bear and her cubs wandering along the state park road. He admired the quiet moment from a distance and took a few photos — thinking it was a wonderful and rare first viewing.

A black bear pauses while crossing an asphalt road. [ [link removed] ]

Later that day, Brian's I Can! Camp launched from Thayer’s Landing and paddled down the St. Croix River to the St. John’s Landing Group Center. Everyone pitched their tents, stored anything that might attract bears in one of the locked cabins onsite, and eventually settled in for the night.

But the bears were not done showing off quite yet. At 5 a.m., Brian was jolted awake. “I heard two screams: one warning scream, one surprised scream,” he said. “Right away I knew there was a bear.” He jumped up and grabbed the nearest noisemaker — a stuff sack — and hustled toward the sound. Sure enough, a large black bear was investigating a tent about 100 yards away, snuffling against the tent screen. After he made noise, the bear slipped back into the woods. Brian checked on the family of three inside the chosen tent. Once their son caught his breath, he declared, “It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” Dad, unbelievably, snoozed through the whole thing.

After confirming the family didn’t have anything in the tent that could have attracted the bear (they didn’t), Brian headed back to his own tent with two bear sightings under his belt. But before he got there, the curious black bear walked out of the woods, and he had to shoo it off again.  

By that point, the commotion had woken up others. “I was telling someone what happened, and the guy pointed behind me. The bear was back a third time,” Brian said. After scaring it off again, the black bear finally seemed to get the message. 

“He was curious, but skittish and responsive, and it definitely goes to show that black bears are more scared of us than we are of them,” said Brian. “We spent the rest of the trip recounting the tale.”

By the end of the trip, Brian had gone from never seeing a black bear in the wild to four viewings in less than 24 hours. What he thought would be a rare, once-in-a-lifetime moment quickly turned into a series of unforgettable encounters—each one a reminder of how remarkable (and curious) Minnesota’s wildlife can be. It's safe to say Brian checked “see a bear” off his list… and then some.

"Note: Minnesota is black bear country. While not inherently dangerous to campers, bears can be destructive in their quest for food. Bold campground bears are created by people's lax habits. Do your part in keeping campsites safe and bears wild. Learn or review BearWise safety tips on our website [ [link removed] ]. "




A brand new construction of sturdy wood and steel crosses a small river. [ [link removed] ]

??: Tettegouche State Park

The New Tettegouche High Fall Bridge ??

"Visitor favorite re-opened after summer closure. "

It’s officially time to Tette-scooch your way across *Tettegouche State Park* [ [link removed] ]’s brand-new High Falls bridge, which is now open to the public! We’re thrilled to have this popular spot in the park open once again.

Two people stand on a new bridge and smile at the camera in orange vests. [ [link removed] ]

The old bridge closed to the public in 2022 after severe flooding on the Baptism River caused significant damage. A second major flood in 2024 worsened that damage — even detaching the bridge on one side — confirming the need for a full replacement. Construction on the new bridge began earlier this year.

The new bridge is designed to better withstand extreme flooding. It sits five feet higher than the original and is constructed from fiberglass polymer, a material that holds up well to the increasingly intense precipitation events driven by climate change.

Several parts of the park that were closed for the 2025 bridge construction are once again open to visitors. This includes the High Falls trailhead parking lot, the group camp, the nature play area, and multiple hiking trails on the west side of the Baptism River.

Thank you for your patience during this important construction project. We're excited for you to visit the park and use the bridge again!





State Park Library Pass Program ??

A graphic of an open book. Growing out of the book is a stand of pine trees. [ [link removed] ]

Did you know you can check out a state park vehicle permit from the library? The DNR has partnered with select libraries across the state to provide free, 7-day state park vehicle permits for those interested in visiting a state park or recreation area. Explore a new state park, drop into a naturalist program, or simply enjoy the beauty of winter without worrying about a vehicle permit. Library passes are only valid for the vehicle entrance fee, so if you’d like to stay overnight, you’ll still need to make and pay for camping/lodging reservations. Learn more and find a participating library near you [ [link removed] ]!





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