Like someone else said lots of hills! Thankfully just to the side of the trail and not on it. It's great to hear that people are still enjoying this! Well packed for just hiking boots. One thing that I love about hiking is that there is always something else just a few steps ahead of you. They have a good idea of the best viewing spots. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Like someone else said lots of hills! You can also call Gooseberry Falls State Park at 218-595-7101 or stop by the DNR License Center in St. Paul. At the southern end of the park, spanning 1,250 feet is a line of rocks, set east-west in the prairie grass. Way better sites then I was expecting even stocked with wood. Luckily the trail was relatively flat and soon we emerged on the heavier use portion of the hiking club trail. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. This is such a cool idea! Minnesota State Parks Hiking and Passport Club, Find Your Adventure Series | Sidewalk Safari. We have a similar park passport system in Massachusetts and its great. Your email address will not be published. Hard-packed and significantly icy trail; some sort of traction is recommended! Big Bog State Recreation Area6. From the highest mountain in North America to coastal glaciers, Alaska holds plenty of natural wonders across its millions A new type of retirement is being talked about these days - the mini-retirement. Home | About Me | Contact Me | Blog | Disclaimer. Frontenac State Park is a great place for a day of recreation. Along the Mound Trail, near an outcropping of rocks, are patches of Prickly Pair Cactus. I was wondering if you could let me know which one it is? Banning State Park is one of my favorite state parks in Minnesota. The permit expires on the Month you purchased the permit for the following year. Some are wheelchair accessible, like the one at Big Bog State Recreation Area. Lake ShetekState Park47. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. One is simply a passport that upon arrival, you get a stamp for each park you visit. After visiting 25 parks, you earn a free night of camping and a pin. Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area30. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. However, every dog is unique and while the author of this blog is a veterinarian, she is not your dog's veterinarian. Cant wait to join (thanks for sharing)! A place to discuss camping and backpacking in the great state of Minnesota! From a bison viewing area to Sioux quartzite formations and areas of preserved prairie, there is plenty to see at this state park. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. It wasnt busy at all! With 66 state parks, 9 recreation areas, and more than 10,000 lakes (one of which is the massive Lake Superior), there are literally thousands of miles to hike all year round. Great hike! I didnt think it was possible until I spotted some on the trail. No one else on the trail. . It has space and multiple tracks so there is a fair bit of sliding. I was tempted to rock hop to the other side but didnt completely trust my footwear. Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club Trails There are 68 Hiking Club Trails in parks around Minnesota. Its extremely relaxing to me. I plan on picking up a passport at our first park this year! If you are a member of the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club look for a blue sign with the Hiking Club password somewhere along this trail. For being the first day of 40 & Sunny I was shocked only seeing one person in the 4 miles I went, not mad at it. You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html. Old Grade to River View to Wide Sky Trail, Nevers Dam to Walter Mondale River Trail to Old Logging Trail, Lookout Mountain Loop (Hiking Club Trail), William O'Brien State Park Upper Park Trail. I'm pretty excited. Cross-country skied the part of this trail nearest the lake on Sunday afternoon 2/5. Seriously, Josy! 75 Reasons to Love Hiking in Minnesota (How to Join the MN State Parks Passport Club). Easy in all seasons. This trail is great for birding and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. See Related: DIY Compression Stuff Sack for Camping. Besides the passport, you will also receive a travel log giving you the opportunity to document some of your favorite parts of the parks. The turnaround point of this hike is near the historic Yellowbanks Civilian Conservation Corps camp site. Wearing traction devices is recommended. Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). Nope, there isnt an official swimming area even though there are lakes and streams. Saw only 7 Pro Tip: Visit any State Park during one of their free days. They were just starting to bud when we got there. Do you love to explore? Manage Settings If you want to skip to a specific park, use the table below to help you figure out what page of this post to jump to.Afton Buffalo RiverPage 1Camden Great River BluffsPage 2Hayes MaplewoodPage 3McCarthy SchoolcraftPage 4Sibley Zippel BayPage 5. Thanks, Karen! I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. Every few years, a new bull (male) bison is brought in for herd diversity. Ended up turning around . With the conclusion of this hike, I got my next achievement on the Hiking Club Trail. A brief review of this park is included in our 5 Great Dog-Friendly State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota post. Im a beginner so this was perfect and mostly pretty flat. Explore Minnesota State Park Hiking Club Trails - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. I cannot believe how fast your energy reserves drain at those temperatures. When you have hiked all miles/all 68 hiking club trails, you received a final patch, another free night of camping, and an engraved plaque commemorating your achievement. This trail is actually a combination of two trails, the River Bluff Trail and a portion of a paved bike path. trail in good condition. No, Bears do not live in Blue Mounds at State Park. Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, this park offers extensive hiking, bike, snowshoe, and ski trails that link to an extensive regional trail system. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area15. MagneyState Park38. Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! You can buy them in person or online for $35. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. Segments of this hiking trail are shared with horses. When you complete a hike, just record the park you hiked at, the password, and the distance you hike. Pro Tip: To enter the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas, a permit is required. William O'Brien State Park Upper Park Trail. They are well labeled and hard to miss. Do you know if we lost one at some point? We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Lake BemidjiState Park42. This Park has something for everyone, including stunning overlooks of quartzite cliffs, bike paths, prairies, and a bison herd. It wasnt busy at all! Garden Island State Recreation Area23. We LOVE your blogusing this as a reference on our own trek with our daughters to hike all the hiking club trails. The hiking club manual notes that this is a rugged trail in the North Woods with exposed rocks and tree roots. Update your log. . I absolutely LOVE this post. An easy hike is to High Falls, cascading 60 ft over the basalt cliffs. Yaktraks are a must!! Here is the lowdown on the programs and what you need to start an epic summer adventure! I spent so much time going to different state parks last year, that I figure I might as well pick up the kits this year and earn patches and free camping. The MN State DNR also offers a MN Hiking Club. Thanks. Canoe, fish, or swim on Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. Beaver Creek ValleyState Park5. Fun trail with a great overview of the lake! So what does Minnesota have to offer? If you are planning to visit for the day, expect to pay around $7. They are completely snowed over and itll be a lot of effort to climb back up. Ready to start collecting stamps? The hiking trails will lead you to a lot of the park highlights including, waterfalls, overlooks, geological wonders, and historic sites. I just picked up both the hiking club and passport club kits yesterday while I was at Minnepoa State Park. The programs work great together and give you a good reason to get out and explore. Your email address will not be published. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. I intended to snowshoe the trail but it looked to have a decently packed path already so I went with boots and gators. Perfectly packed down trails. The hiking club trail at Blue Mounds State Park takes visitors to the top of the cliff line. We could not find the MN Hiking Club password! If it hasn't changed since 2015 it's "Blanding's Turtle". Trail was pretty Lake Maria State Park46. Otherwise, beautiful trail! Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Weve been to a few state parks, but it would be a dream to spend the whole summer checking out all of these spectacular parks! Beautiful hike, Great hike! The biggest draw to Blue Mounds State Park is the Sioux quartzite cliff line. The MN State Park hiking club has a designated trail at teach park. Warm & gorgeous for. The Hiking Club will take you to 68 trails at state parks and recreation areas throughout Minnesota. The falls were amazing. The Hiking Club password sign at Franz Jevne State Park near Baudette, Minnesota. Traction devices recommended! Slightly slushy but still perfect. Located at the furthest corner of Southwestern Minnesota is Blue Mounds State Park in MN. That sounds like an awesome project! Happy trails! A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2021). The hiking club trail offers beautiful views of the wild Kettle River. Trail is packed down . just filled the random trail people made through the camps a bit after visiting the falls. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Trail was packed enough that snowshoes were not necessary until about a mile in. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. At 100 miles, you also earn a free night of camping. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Make sure to stop near mound creek. Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). Dont stress out, you can still get your passport stamped still. Youll go past waterfalls, through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, and maybe even spot wildlife. Along the way, youll earn free nights of camping and patches! MaplewoodState Park49. Nerstrand Big WoodsState Park57. window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { The falls in the town of Sandstone is also lovely and typically there are very few other hikers at that location. Grand Portage State Park28. an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Print/PDF Map. Beautiful hike! Kate is the writer of Pawsitively Intrepid. Fort RidgelyState Park19. Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. Only hiking club trail miles count. The trail was well marked, though there were so many other little splits off of it that with the snow, it wouldve been difficult to navigate without the all trails app. When you join the Hiking Club, you receive a booklet with trail descriptions and a hiking club log section. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Highly recommend poles with yaktraks too. Original file (5,760 3,840 pixels, file size: 26.52 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg). The trails cover a wide range of difficulty and length. As its name suggests, the River Bluff Trail runs along the top of the bluff above the SaintCroix River. Youll receive a patch for each milestone of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and all the miles. Whether youre looking for new trails to inspire you or a fun way to remember your adventures, the. The trail is pretty rough from the early melt and freeze. Keep checking back to get a review of each of the parks as I cross them off my list. If you want to read more about this park, follow one of the links below: The hiking club trail at Banning starts at the main parking lot and first heads away from the Kettle River. Crosby Manitou is such a beautiful park. The Minnesota State Park's Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Charles A. LindberghState Park13. Hill Annex Mine State Park32. Interested in receiving monthly updates from Pawsitively Intrepid? This is a lovely part of the trail, offering views of scenic rocky quarry walls and interesting historical buildings. For more information about joining the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Hiking Club, visit the MN DNR website. George H. Crosby Manitou State Park24. Its worth checking to see if the parks near you have a similar program OR, of course, just come a hike the awesome Minnesota state parks . Ill need to hit this one again soon. 5 Tips to Enjoy the Minnesota State Park Hiking Club Grab your permit online or at a park office. Traction devices recommended! Easy trail. $35 for a whole year of gorgeous local trails? All rights reserved. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is not liable for shipping delays, and lost or stolen packages. The travel log is like a journal to take notes on your adventures! Ski tracks are well established too. Gooseberry FallsState Park27. 24deg & sunny. After seeing the first group, we noticed that it was a lot more prevalent up there. Would recommend crampons or snowshoes. Getting Started There is ample parking near the trail head. The Hiking Club operates in a similar manner. When I purchased mine in 2018 there were 75, though that would include the 8 recreation areas since those are part of the passport program. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Great River BluffsState Park29. Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good introduction to the history and resources of the park area. Like most of Minnesota's State Parks, these parks are all between 1-2 hours apart and short hiking distances, making it easy to visit multiple destinations Very icy on stairs. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park48. It is a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. The remainder of this hike follows the paved bike path back to the SaintCroix Lodge. We would greatly appreciate it. Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . The password signs can be located anywhere along the hiking club trail. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Patches are awarded for completion of every 25 miles (from 25 to 175 miles). So what does Minnesota have to offer? Well maintained and easy follow path. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Big Bog State Recreation Area is located in northern Minnesota. The landscape was beautiful even in the winter. Fort Snelling State Park20. Well packed, but icy in some places, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes aren't needed though. Seriously, you can earn free camping just by hiking! February day. The Middle Falls Trail is spectacular. Great views but a bit icy aonwear your Yaktraks. Snowshoe or spikes required. cross country skiied yesterday. Check out Minnesota State Park Pass Hacks, Tips, and Free Days to find all the days. Explore Minnesota State Park Hiking Club Trails - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Part of the hike is through the river bottoms of the Minnesota River. Just stop by the park office to get it stamped. MinneopaState Park52. This hiking trail leads to many of the bogs most fascinating features. Good luck! There are benches to stop and sit and have a snack. There are so many incredible ways to enjoy the outdoors in Minnesota State Parks! Its looking like that might be what my summer is all about at this point No complaints though! Watch for thin ice if trying to get close. Half of this was groomed. No way. Great views today! It works by taking the same MN State Parks maps you used to and placing your GPS position on top of it. They cost $35. Blue Mounds State Park is one of a few that have Tipis for guests. Grab your Minnesota State Park Passport and discover new trails. The Minnesota State Park's Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Mille Lacs KathioState Park51. We only spend the day there, but we have an amazing time. These were epic. It is based around two passport-style programs that the Minnesota parks have. Check them out. Just stop by the park office to get it stamped. This loop would have been very difficult to get through all of the snow if you didnt have snowshoes. Half of this was groomed. I love going on hikes every time I visit my family in Minnesota. Glacial Lakes State Park25. going counter clockwise there was one hill going down toward the river that we walked down. kirby83 4 yr. ago. I highly recommend going either in the morning or evening hours to capture the sun on the cliffside. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need a reason to go see them all! Thanks for the great writeups, Elly. The tour lasts 90 minutes and goes inside the enclosure in an open-air truck. Be sure to ask the park staff for their tips on the best trails while youre getting your passport stamped. So glad you like the video this was one of the first ones I ever made The passport is really encouraging me to get out and explore some lesser known parks, which right now also means no people, easier social distancing! How much does it cost to camp at Blue Mounds State Park? BUT absolutely worth the effort, such a beautiful hike, I would do it again in the same conditions again. Club registration form This form is for registering your Hiking Club or Passport Club membership. Im very much a beginner but would still recommend this area for all levels. The trails are flat and well maintained. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased . Ice packed snow & slushy. We had some ce cleats on and had no problems. Id still secretly love it now too. I loved getting to explore some of the trails, including the bike area. Once you turn to head back to the parking lot, the trail nears the banks of the Kettle River. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. And, honestly, who doesnt love a free night of camping? I recommend heading into Levurne and swimming at their city recreation area. It is absolutely gorgeous. Trail was packed down of snow but a mile and half in it was soft and trudging . Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. Or that you can view the Northern Lights from northern Minnesota? Winter hiking, the trail is not plowed. The parent in me was going worst-case scenario and wondering how badly they could hurt themselves. Thank you so much! Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area53. How much does it cost to get into MN State Parks? Buffalo RiverState Park9. Others, like the trail at Goerge H. Crosby-Manitou State Park, offer an alternate trail due to the strenuous nature of the hiking club trail. To earn credit for a hike, you must hike the entire hiking club trail and watch for a sign with the password for that hike. I did a Saturday adventure this fall with seven Hiking Club trails in one day (Jay Cooke, Moose Lake, Banning, St. Croix, Wild River, Interstate, William O'Brien) - your blog posts were really helpful. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. The cliffs were formed on the bottom of an ancient sea. While the heat may have restricted our movements, it left us Hiking at Blue Mounds State Park during the best time of day.