User fees for state parks, fishing and hunting licenses, and motorized vehicles can’t reasonably keep pace with cost increases while also ensuring the Minnesota DNR can appropriately steward resources and provide open and affordable access to the outdoors for everyone. The DNR wants to make sure impact of uses aligns with cost of those uses and that we do not price the public out of access to public spaces.
Latest updates
- Outdoor Recreation Endorsement Model
As part of the action to “Explore the use and application of fees” the DNR proposed the idea of an outdoor recreation endorsement model linked to the purchase of Minnesota license plate tabs. In 2025, the legislature directed the agency to draft statute establishing a license plate endorsement model, allowing reduced state park vehicle entrance fees. Predicted higher sales will support state parks and other areas of DNR’s work. The Outdoor Recreation Endorsement Report outlines the benefits of allowing people to voluntarily purchase a state parks’ pass when they register or review their vehicle license plate tabs.