State parks

Parks and Trails Manage:

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Trails system includes 67 state parks and 8 recreation areas, 8 waysides, 13 state trails, and 62 state forest campgrounds and day-use areas.

Number of Visitors:

In 2011, state parks hosted 7,753,279 visitors. Day use accounts for most of the visits. Camping accounts for about 10 percent of park visits. Nearly 17 percent of park visitors come from other states and countries.

Number of Campers:

More than 772,898 people camped at state parks in 2011.

Most Visited Parks:

The most visited state parks in 2011 included:

• Fort Snelling – 821,852
• Gooseberry Falls –  516,846
• Itasca –  416,985
• Tettegouche –  335,079
• Split Rock Lighthouse – 272,157

State Parks Includes:

• 4,524 campsites
• 1,461 miles of trail
• 730 archaeological sites
• 14 scientific and natural areas
• 8 state waysides
• 13 state trails
• 285 horse camp sites
• 62 National Register Historic Districts including 4 National Historic Landmarks
• 111 group camps
• 33 beaches
• 29 fishing piers in 28 state parks and recreation areas
• 32 visitor centers
• 85 water access sites
• 367 miles of road
• 2,009 buildings (600 buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places)

Park Fees:

• Annual permit - $25
• Second vehicle - $18
• Daily permit - $5
• Motorcycle annual permit - $20
• Camping fee - $12 to $20
  • Electricity - $4/night
  • Water and sewer hookup - $4/night
• Special permits for US Military personnel
• Special annual (people with disabilities) - $12

Reservations:

Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day, except for the first day a reservation becomes available. On that first day, reservations cannot be made online before 8 a.m. Reserve Now!

Phone reservations can be made by calling 866-857-2757 (TTY: 952-936-4008) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday through Sunday October through March, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily April through September. Call center is closed holidays.

Natural and Cultural Resources:

The Division of State Parks and Trails system has an active resource management program to protect, preserve and restore cultural resources and natural areas. These include some of the finest state examples of prairie, northern forest, pinelands and Big Woods found in Minnesota. About 226 species of plants and animals found in 1,776 locations in state parks are classified as endangered, threatened or special concern at either the state or federal level. Examples include Henslow's sparrow, four-toed salamanders, western prairie fringed orchids, Topeka shiner and the dwarf trout lily. Annually, the Division conducts resource management activities to restore wetlands, improve water quality, eradicate invasive plants, and enhance native vegetation and other resources on more than 22,000 acres of state park land.

Interpretive Programs:

Annually, over one million people attend environmental education programs, participate in nature walks and self-guided nature tours and tour exhibits at park interpretive centers. State parks sponsor a Junior Naturalist Program for children from ages 7-14. Interpretive program schedules are published in the Parks and Trails Programs & Special Events brochure and on the web site event calendar.

Park Activities:

According to park surveys, the most popular state park activity is hiking. Visitors also enjoy camping, backpacking, geocaching, canoeing, biking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, inline skating, swimming, birding, picnicking, sail boarding, rock climbing, snowmobiling, and exploring nature.

Special Tours:

Hill Annex Mine, Soudan Underground Mine, and Mystery Cave at Forestville State Park offer public tours beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing through October (limited hours, please contact park for specific times). Group and Educational tours are also available with advanced notice.  There is a fee for all tours.

Park Support:

There are many ways of supporting state parks including purchasing a state park annual permit, volunteering, participating in the Park Partners program or purchasing items at a park Nature Stores.

Clubs:

The goal for Passport Club members is to visit all state parks. Hiking Club members earn a colorful patch after hiking 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 175 and all miles. Hike 100 miles and you'll also receive a coupon for a free night* of camping. In each club, members earn incentive awards as they work toward the goal. Club membership fees are $14.95 and cover the cost of materials.

Lodging:

A number of state parks have guesthouses, cabins and other lodging available for rent. These include: Bear Head Lake, Fort Ridgely, Itasca, St. Croix, Savanna Portage, Scenic, Tettegouche and Wild River state parks.

Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day, except for the first day a reservation becomes available. On that first day, reservations cannot be made online before 8 a.m. Reserve Now!

Phone reservations can be made by calling 866-857-2757 (TTY: 952-936-4008) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily November through March, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily April through October. Call center is closed holidays.

Camper Cabins:

79 cabins can be reserved a year in advance and rent for $45 a night or $50 a night for cabins with electricity. Cabins can accommodate five to six people. Many include electricity, and 32 are wheelchair accessible. No pets allowed.There is no indoor plumbing, however toilet facilities are located nearby. All cooking must be done outside the cabin. Many cabins have 12' x 6' screened porches. 68 camper cabins are winterized for year-round use.

Nature Stores:

Located in most state parks, these stores sell nature-related products. All proceeds from merchandise sales fund resource and interpretive projects in state parks. The top ten nature stores are located in Itasca, Gooseberry, Lake Carlos, Sibley, Forestville/Mystery Cave, Fort Snelling, Grand Portage, Interstate, Jay Cooke, Lake Bemidji, St Croix, Soudan, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, Whitewater, William O’Brien state parks.

Oldest State Parks:

Minnesota became the second oldest state park system in the country with the establishment of Itasca State Park on April 20, 1891. The next state park added to the system was Interstate State Park on April 25, 1895. The most significant growth years occurred in 1937, 1957, and 1963. In 1937, ten new parks were added across the state. In 1957, five parks were added including four along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The largest number of parks added at one time (11) occurred in 1963.

First Commissioner:

Jacob V. Brower, who mapped the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca.

Divison of Parks and Trails Mission:

Our vision is to create unforgettable park, trail, and water recreation experiences that inspire people to pass along the love for the outdoors to the next generation.

Who Benefits:

State parks within the Divison of Parks and Trails benefit visitors, communities, the economy, and the environment. Benefits to visitors include opportunities for recreation as well as places to go to experience solitude, enjoy the natural environment, learn about nature, and relax. Communities near state parks gain a sense of community pride, a better understanding of their natural environment and a greater appreciation for what makes their community a special place in which to live and work. The economy benefits from visitor spending in local communities, employment opportunities, and economic growth generated by state parks. The environment benefits from the species diversity and ecosystem health associated with protection of the myriad natural resources found within state parks.

(Updated May 2012)