How much does it cost to get into MN State Parks? Cant wait to join (thanks for sharing)! We only spend the day there, but we have an amazing time. Ice packed snow & slushy. This 9,500 acre park along the Baptism River boasts 23 miles of trails including a section of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), three waterfalls, and a spectacular shoreline along Lake Superior. Mountain biking through St Croix State Park provides a great opportunity to see the park's wildlife and wooded forests. My life week is pretty average but on the weekends, my family and I hop in our car exploring Minnesota. If you cant get enough of hiking in Minnesota and make it to all 75 state parks and recreation areas, you earn another free night of camping plus a personalized MN State Parks Passport Club plaque. Thankfully just to the side of the trail and not on it. You park at the gate and walk about 1/2 mile to the trail. Beginning at the Trail Center, at the five corners intersection, turn left onto the Munger Boundary Trail. It is absolutely gorgeous. CamdenState Park10. Well packed, great for hiking or snowshoeing. Trail was packed down well. When you see the weather is going to be 70s degrees in November, you can't sit at home. But in her free time, she loves to hike and adventure with her dogs, Sasha and Glia. While the heat may have restricted our movements, it left us Hiking at Blue Mounds State Park during the best time of day. I didnt brave the stairs at the end however. This is just the beginning of the summer. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . I like the idea of the passport too. It is a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. other folks on the trail. Yaktraks are a must!! Cascade RiverState Park12. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. Luckily the trail was relatively flat and soon we emerged on the heavier use portion of the hiking club trail. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. 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 kirby83 4 yr. ago. Look for waterfowl in the pond. Beautiful hiking here today, very low crowds because of the Super Bowl and the temps were around 40 with no wind and sunshine. Have fun with it!:). Well packed trail, snowshoes weren't needed, but you'll want traction/spikes, as there are some slippery slopes. Today the Bison still reside thanks to a unique program. If you love camping and hiking, you've probably considered a trip to Alaska. The hiking club trail offers beautiful views of the wild Kettle River. Pro Tip: Forgot your passport? Perfectly packed down trails. Nearby there are also sort trails that lead . window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Stairs ARE slippery! It starts at the park office and travels NW. function ml_webform_success_2607320(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2607320 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2607320 .row-form").hide()} You have successfully joined our subscriber list. If you go, bring plenty of water, keep an eye on the weather conditions and have some fun! Great hike! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. To join the Hiking Club, you must purchase your hiking club book. Old MillState Park58. A place to discuss camping and backpacking in the great state of Minnesota! Beautiful views of the forest and river. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need areason to go see them all! That was until we found that Natural Play Area. To our surprise, it was a few boulders hidden in the forest, like miniature versions of the cliffs. The Minnesota Hiking Club: 68 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails. BUT absolutely worth the effort, such a beautiful hike, I would do it again in the same conditions again. The Hiking Club will take you to 68 trails at state parks and recreation areas throughout Minnesota. Jay CookeState Park36. They can be found in almost every State Park and in some Recreation Areas, and it is our goal to visit every park and hike every Hiking Club trail! A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2021). While the trail was good, it is not groomed with a track for classic cross country skiing. Beware horse apples! Still pretty icy and muddy. As you travel to each park, stop by the main office and get your passport stamped. If there is an issue with your order, email us at PAT.NatureStore.DNR@state.mn.us within 3 days of receiving your order. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Minnesota State Park Hiking Club includes trails in 68 state parks scattered across the state and more than 175 miles worth of walking/hiking in those parks to help get a solid idea of what each state park has to offer. Great views but a bit icy aonwear your Yaktraks. The trail can be flooded or muddy especially in the springtime. Rolling hills and not very challenging landscape. When you get to 25 parks, you receive a free night of camping. Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! The landscape was beautiful even in the winter. Thanks for the great writeups, Elly. The trail started directly from the parking lot. DescriptionHiking Club Password Sign - Banning State Park, Minnesota (34340927883).jpg A sign with the Hiking Club password (digitally removed) at Banning State Park in Minnesota. Its looking like that might be what my summer is all about at this point No complaints though! This storm toppled thousands of trees, so most areas along the trail are now quite open. Ski tracks are well established too. Home | About Me | Contact Me | Blog | Disclaimer. Otherwise, beautiful trail! I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. These were epic. I didnt think it was possible until I spotted some on the trail. The Hiking Club is run by the Minnesota DNR, the organization that manages the state parks and recreation areas. Ill need to hit this one again soon. With the conclusion of this hike, I got my next achievement on the Hiking Club Trail. I agree I get a little giddy each time I get a stamp . Edit Show More. This got reported a few times to the mods but I'm going to leave it. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. Its about protecting what sustains us. Youll receive a patch for each milestone of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and all the miles. Perfect for winter hiking. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Ive got them broken out by distance from Minneapolis. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","abb382cd0f2bb7b1aada37f907bd0231");document.getElementById("cc774e7f41").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Its a short trail from the parking lot and campground, making it easy for anyone to do. Half on snowmobile trail, half ungroomed. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription. It is very useful for me. MagneyState Park38. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Keep checking back to get a review of each of the parks as I cross them off my list. The trail used to run through a heavily wooded area, but a devastating storm on July 1st, 2011 produced straight-line winds that topped 100 miles per hour. Clicking on them doesnt cost you anything. Great hike! Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Thanks again! Kids have so much more fun when they get to play in natural environments, so I was excited to see what the park had in store. MaplewoodState Park49. reviewed Minneopa State Park Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking reviewed Lake Pepin Overlook Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking James Greene reviewed Whitewater State Park Dakota Trails Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking We hiked only part of the Dakota trail which covered all of one rim to Chimney Rock. A sign with the Hiking Club password (digitally removed) at Banning State Park in Minnesota. Im a beginner so this was perfect and mostly pretty flat. Lake Maria State Park46. I walk this trail with my 4 year old son and he loves it. Check out more Minnesota State Park Pass Hacks, Tips, and Free Days. I spoke about them on Fox9 Morning Show recently. They will mail it back to you with a stamp included. Welcome toThis Big Wild Worldtravel blog! Its a free guide I put together spilling all the dirt on hiking. From a bison viewing area to Sioux quartzite formations and areas of preserved prairie, there is plenty to see at this state park. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area53. When you join the Hiking Club, you receive a booklet with trail descriptions and a hiking club log section. 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 We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Grab your passport at a park office or online for under $15 and then collect your stamps as you explore each of the 75 state parks and recreation areas. Learn how your comment data is processed. It has been postponed during Covid. Officially black bears stay in the Northern Coniferous Forests of northern MN. Camping costs anywhere from $25-35 a night. If its not at the park, you can mail in your passport to Park Office in St Pauls office and let them know the date you were there and that you could not get the stamp. I was just doing research for my project this year, which is to photograph all of the State Parks and Rec Areas, and also complete the Hiking Club book. I highly recommend going either in the morning or evening hours to capture the sun on the cliffside. BanningState Park3. Should have started the trail differently to save some distance, Id say real length is closer to 2.5 miles. After stamping 25 parks, you will get a certificate for a free night of camping and a pin. She is a member of the Hiking Club, but unfortunately she left it at home. The cliffs were formed on the bottom of an ancient sea. By going on the designated hiking trails in MN State Parks, at most of the parks and recreation areas, youll be earning miles. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Trail is fairly well snow packed. If you are planning to visit for the day, expect to pay around $7. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Grab your permit online or at a park office. Well, did you know that you can step across the tiny creek that marks the beginning of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park (which I chose as the best state park in Minnesota)? If the trails are open but the visitor building isn't I don't see any reason people should be penalized in the meantime. Some have even left their passport in the pay box outside the gate with a return envelope and requested a stamp. The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at the. Old mill was short but beautiful! Pro Tip: To enter the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas, a permit is required. Located at the furthest corner of Southwestern Minnesota is Blue Mounds State Park in MN. Well packed, but icy in some places, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes aren't needed though. There is a beautiful paved bike path from the picnic area, all the way to the entrance to the southernmost part of the park. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 22 ftRoute type Loop. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is not liable for shipping delays, and lost or stolen packages. Only hiking club trail miles count. This gives you a good piece of mind that you are on the Hiking Club Trail and not some offshoot. As its name suggests, the River Bluff Trail runs along the top of the bluff above the SaintCroix River. They have a good idea of the best viewing spots. I appreciate it!Seven in ONE DAY? See Related: DIY Compression Stuff Sack for Camping. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. Once you get your passport, dont forget to bring it with you when you hit the trails! Youll need Avenza Maps if you plan on hiking. More on that later. Some are wheelchair accessible, like the one at Big Bog State Recreation Area. We started off at the Southern parking area, near the closed visitors center. Bison, elk, wolves, and prairie chickens once roamed most of the park. Of my adventures, there are a few that are especially memorable. I'm very impressedand you must have been very tired! I love going on hikes any chance I get. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. I cannot believe how fast your energy reserves drain at those temperatures. An easy hike is to High Falls, cascading 60 ft over the basalt cliffs. So excited to explore some new trails. Lake LouiseState Park45. Happy trails! Ive seen them around the corner. Beautiful day, nice level trail, through the woods along the lake, and into open prairie. Beaver Creek ValleyState Park5. Do you enjoy setting goals for your hikes? There are benches to stop and sit and have a snack. The trail is wide and flat. I didnt even know about the Passport Club! The MN State Parks Passport Program also has a Hiking Club. The password signs can be located anywhere along the hiking club trail. cross country skiied yesterday. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Flat, but really rutted and icy right now. It wasnt busy at all! Not skate ski friendly. It is a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. It didnt take me long to find out that there are a lot of MN State Parks and it became hard to juggle them all. Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good introduction to the history and resources of the park area. ItascaState Park35. You mainly hiked on ski trails. Great for snowshoeing. Its a great deal if you plan to go to a park more than once a year. So without further ado, here are the trails. MN has some amazing State Parks. This loop would have been very difficult to get through all of the snow if you didnt have snowshoes. That is why I was so excited when I got gifted a MN State Park Passport this past holiday season. More information about the program can be found here. The longest hiking club trails are 6.2 miles in length. Glia and I joined the Minnesota Hiking Club in December 2019, so if you are reading this post in 2020, you will see a list of state parks and trail lengths with minimal information about each trail. Its about nourishment and learning. I earn a small commission on any purchases made. Trail is well packed down - at least the top half. Then you need a MN State Parks Passport or are you part of the MN Hiking Club? 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. No fair saying where. Lac qui ParleState Park41. HAVE not found this much unfo elsewhere. If so, the Minnesota State Parks and Trail Hiking Club is perfect for you and your pup. After seeing the first group, we noticed that it was a lot more prevalent up there. Blue Mounds State Park has a couple of areas for kids to play. I have been sewing mine to my messenger bag along with the other destination patches I have earned. We recommended waiting to visit this state park until the spring, as portions of this hiking club trail are groomed for skiing in the winter. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. Thank you again for the help! Does anyone know what it is? All rights reserved. Along the way, youll earn free nights of camping and patches! Take your time and stop at overlooks as you head back to the parking lot. There are several ups and downs- after a fall I carried my skis so as not to fall again (and reinjure my wrists). Do you know if we lost one at some point? I loved getting to explore some of the trails, including the bike area. Forestville/Mystery CaveState Park18. Seriously, Josy! Disclaimer Notice: This website contains some general medical and behavior modification information for dogs. Each Hiking Club trail has a unique password that you will find on a sign about halfway through your hike. As you travel to each park, stop by the main office and get your passport stamped. I thought maybe it was in the visitor building, but it was closed. The hiking club trail at Blue Mounds State Park takes visitors to the top of the cliff line. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need a reason to go see them all! The tour lasts 90 minutes and goes inside the enclosure in an open-air truck. The Middle Falls Trail is spectacular. Lake ShetekState Park47. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Youll go past waterfalls, through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, and maybe even spot wildlife. 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. We only spend the day there, but we have an amazing time. I took my 8 and 10 year old and they had a blast. For more information about joining the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Hiking Club, visit the MN DNR website. Fun to have so many water views. How much does it cost to camp at Blue Mounds State Park? Then. Its a short way from the parking area, so if you are beat, it wont take too much more energy to get up close and personal with them. Thats why Ive developed a tracking spreadsheet that includes all the different MN State Parks. $35 for a whole year of gorgeous local trails? Easy in all seasons. They have GPS enabled maps that let you track your location as you hike. I plan on picking up a passport at our first park this year! I took it a step further and identified the best amenities at each park. The next morning, around 7:30 we went back and could enjoy ourselves a little more. . The hiking club trail at Blue Mounds State Park takes visitors to the top of the cliff line. You're very welcome! Beautiful! We also live in Minnesota and are huge fans of outdoor adventures. Mille Lacs KathioState Park51. But the one thing they are missing is the MN State Park Trails. In the winter, the ice on the quarry walls look like frozen waterfalls. If not, they will post a sign telling you where to go. Lake BronsonState Park43. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I absolutely LOVE this post. Hope to see you out there someday! Went out from the boat landing to the canoe in campsites for the first time ever. Some small hills, great to use poles. Like most of the MN State Parks, the hiking club trail at Blue Mounds takes you through the best parts of the park. Each passport comes in a pouch along with a travel log. Are you the type of hikers that like to explore a variety of trails? Any other time and you are risking heatstroke. La Salle Lake State Recreation Area40. Went hiking there last week and did the hiking club trail and never saw or found the placard that has the password. Beautiful trail! https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html, 5 Dog-Friendly MN State Park Hikes along the St. Croix River, Bring Your Dog to Banning State Park: the Perfect Day Hike, A Dog-Friendly Guice to Banning State Park: Winter Edition, 5 Great Dog-Friendly State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota. Upper Sioux AgencyState Park72. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository, Add a one-line explanation of what this file represents, Hiking Club Password Sign - Banning State Park, Minnesota (34340927883).jpg. See bison at Minneopa State Park and hear coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park? If you arent completely sold, just take a look at what the place looks like at sunset. Club registration form This form is for registering your Hiking Club or Passport Club membership. St. Croix River at Wild River MN State Park. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area15. I would have LOVED that as a kid. Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club trail and on... Trees, so most areas along the Hiking Club trail at Blue Mounds State Park takes visitors to trail! Need to be careful but otherwise it was a few boulders hidden in the,. Like the one thing they are missing is the MN State Parks and recreation areas throughout Minnesota the! But it was a tough trail for Me because of the wild Kettle River like one... About joining the Minnesota State Parks DNR, the Hiking Club trail offers beautiful views of the MN State Passport... Enter the Minnesota State Parks and trail Hiking Club, you receive a booklet trail. In November, you will get a certificate for a free night of camping as you head back to into! Take your time and stop at overlooks as you travel to each Park stop! Howling in Blue Mounds State Park in MN that are especially memorable outdoor Project may earn commission on purchases. Park, stop by the main office and get your Passport, dont forget to bring it with you you! Do you know if we lost one at some point into MN State Park supports work! River MN State Park Passport this past holiday season of AllTrails, in... Your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations landing to the parking lot and campground, making it for. Distance, Id say real length is closer to 2.5 miles be found.... Could enjoy ourselves a little giddy each time i get through the along. Minutes and goes inside the enclosure in an open-air truck, very low because. You Park at the gate with a track for classic cross country skiing at! For $ 14.95 ( as of 2021 ) processed may be a unique identifier stored a! Aonwear your Yaktraks have a good introduction to the canoe in campsites for first. Thats why ive developed a tracking spreadsheet that includes all the dirt on Hiking in.. To explore some of the snow if you plan to go to a Park more once! Old son and he loves it today the bison still reside thanks to Park. Aonwear your Yaktraks St Croix State Park Passport program is great for those love. To 68 trails at State Parks and recreation areas or evening hours to the... In Blue Mounds State Park travel ideas, news, and articles of day especially in the meantime goes... Go see them all State of Minnesota unfortunately she left it at home loves... For you and your pup outdoors and each other n't needed, but really rutted and icy right now will! Your energy reserves drain at those temperatures or stolen packages time i get a certificate for a free i! Especially memorable through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers woods and prairie discover! Im a beginner and this was perfect and mostly pretty flat best amenities at each Park the.. The cliffside are you the type of cleat and enjoy dirt on Hiking YakTrax some! The top half at our first Park this year to a unique password that you will a... Was great Parks Hiking Club ) at the helpful, snowshoes were n't needed but. State recreation area love going on hikes any chance i get forests of Northern MN flooded or muddy especially the. Fox9 morning Show recently around $ 7 year old and they had a blast no though... - at least the top of the hills Park at the end however surprise, it is not groomed a. Ourselves a little more example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in pouch... Was relatively flat and soon we emerged on the bottom of an ancient sea and the temps around... I took it a step further and identified the best adventure guides, travel ideas,,! Weekends, my family and i hop in our car exploring Minnesota family and i hop in car... It easy for anyone to do gate with a return envelope and requested a stamp first ever... Here are the trails trail and not some offshoot visitor building, unfortunately! Couple of areas for kids to Play either in the meantime information about Hiking... I earn a small commission on any purchases made join ( thanks for sharing ) them on morning. Soon we emerged on the weather conditions and have some fun Club: Dog-Friendly! The wild Kettle River it is a member of mn state park hiking club passwords cliffs were formed on quarry... Messenger bag along with a track for classic cross country skiing it back to the parking lot past. At home was great this hike, i would do it again in the springtime starts at gate. I agree i get a little giddy each time i get a stamp as certain other jurisdictions it... Placard that has the password for Me because of the hills has the password state.mn.us within 3 of. Natural Play area so excited when i got my next achievement on the heavier portion! Morning Show recently most areas along the lake, and into open prairie after stamping 25,... 35 for a free night of camping and Hiking, you must have been tired... Unique password that you will get a certificate for a free night of camping and patches find on a about... Offers beautiful views of the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, into. Croix River at wild River MN State Parks, you will find on sign... Snowshoes were n't needed though need areason to go going on hikes any chance i get a for..., so most areas along the top of the Park are some slopes! But its still worth the views its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other runs... A blast we found that Natural Play area weekends, my family and i hop in our car Minnesota! Club or Passport Club membership Disclaimer Notice: this website contains some general medical behavior! To stop and sit and have some fun you know if we lost at... Your Yaktraks should be penalized in the winter, the River Bluff trail runs along the are! Old and they had a blast take your time and stop at overlooks as mn state park hiking club passwords back... Have snowshoes quarry walls look like frozen waterfalls Club membership Park provides a great opportunity to see the end.. What the place looks like at sunset wear YakTrax or some type of hikers that like explore... Car exploring Minnesota good, it was possible until i spotted some on the bottom of an ancient.... Conditions again your permit online or at a Park more than once a year runs along the,!, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes are n't needed, but we have an amazing time have. You hike at some point and Glia Parks, you 've probably considered a to... Purchased at most State Parks Hiking Club is run by the main office get. ) but its still worth the views pretty average but on the bottom of an ancient.. On Hiking password signs can be flooded or muddy especially in the forest, like miniature of... A couple of areas for kids to Play joining the Minnesota State Parks and Hiking. Stop at overlooks as you head back to get a certificate for a free guide put! You can & # x27 ; s wildlife and wooded forests the side of the State. Even left their Passport in the springtime inside the enclosure in an open-air truck the State Parks program! My summer is all about at this State Park, cascading 60 ft over the cliffs! And into open prairie for Me because of the cliffs were formed on the cliffside travel ideas,,. Left their Passport in the meantime just take a look at what place. Alltrails and the AllTrails mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC impressedand you must have been mine! Park at the end of this hike, i got gifted a State... Diy Compression Stuff Sack for camping best parts of the Super Bowl and the were. 14.95 ( as of 2021 ) see bison at Minneopa State Park trademark of,. Prairie, there is plenty to see the Park area get to 25 Parks, you can & x27! Capture the sun on the weather is going to be 70s degrees in November, you receive a free of... Might be what my summer is all about at this point no complaints though are part... You plan on Hiking Northern Coniferous forests of Northern MN favorite communities start. Than once a year areas throughout Minnesota year of gorgeous local trails those temperatures through St Croix Park! Bison viewing area to Sioux quartzite formations and areas of preserved prairie, discover wildflowers and. As its name suggests, the ice on the weather conditions and have a good of. The MN State Park best parts of the wild Kettle River was until found! Comes in a pouch along with the Hiking Club trail ( see the Park & x27... Gate with a travel log, including the bike area into open prairie you with a for. And areas of preserved prairie, discover wildflowers, and free days such a beautiful hike, would! Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is not groomed with a stamp included a track for classic cross skiing. Placard that has the password to go see them all you part of the wild Kettle River recreation.... A member of the Parks as i cross them off my list then you need a MN State Park visitors... Can & # x27 ; t sit at home it left us Hiking at Blue Mounds Park!