Outdoor recreation is central to Minnesota's identity, fundamental to our economy, and essential for our health and quality of life.
The transformative Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) investments, approved by the 2023 legislature and signed by Governor Tim Walz, will help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whatever outdoor experience they choose.
The $149.9 million Get Out MORE investment centers on five key areas:
- Enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor recreation facilities
- Modernizing camping and related infrastructure
- Enhancing fisheries and fishing infrastructure
- Modernizing boating access
- Restoring streams and modernizing water-related infrastructure to support outdoor recreation
Investing in Minnesota
Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen talks about how Get Out MORE investments will improve Minnesotans' experiences on public lands and waters.
In January 2024, the DNR announced a full programmatic framework to guide how and where the funding will be allocated in the key areas that Get Out MORE investments are focused. DNR News Release: Minnesota DNR advances implementation of Get Out MORE funding.
An overview factsheet is also available here. Read more about these investments below.
As we continue to implement Get Out MORE investments over the next five-to-six years, we will update this page with more videos and information on the progress of specific projects. #GetOutMORE
Enhancing access and welcoming new users to public lands and outdoor recreation facilities
What's the need: Minnesota's public lands should be accessible for everyone to enjoy. Improving accessibility at DNR-managed facilities and lands enhances the experience for people with disabilities and other visitors. Improved road access and signage and rehabilitated state trails further improve Minnesotans’ recreational experiences.
What's the investment: The $35.4 million investment will support wide-ranging accessibility enhancements at state parks, recreation areas and wildlife management areas. Minnesota DNR will enhance access and welcome new users to public lands with refreshed recreational facilities, revitalized and sustainably re-engineered roads and trails that access recreational opportunities, and improved accessibility for all Minnesotans. Improvements include:
- $15 million for accessibility improvements
- $9.4 million for roads
- $8 million for hiking and paved trail surface improvements
- $2 million for improved wayfinding and signs
- $1 million for all-terrain track chairs and other adaptive equipment
What people are saying: Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan shares her excitement about critical investments in Minnesota state parks to ensure outdoor spaces are accessible to all Minnesotans.
Across Minnesota, we’re making critical investments in our state parks to ensure outdoor spaces are accessible to *all* Minnesotans year-round.
— Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (@LtGovFlanagan) July 30, 2023
Head to https://t.co/eHBuxaNSkA to find a state park near you! pic.twitter.com/WrVIewsEKX
Modernizing camping and related infrastructure
What's the need: Campgrounds are like small cities with infrastructure needs from drinking water and wastewater to roads and Wi-Fi. Much of Minnesota's camping and related outdoor recreation infrastructure was developed in the 1930s and 1960s and is not designed to meet the needs of today's visitors. Further, many of the wastewater and drinking water systems that support state campgrounds have reached the end of their useful life and need renewal and replacement.
What's the investment: The $9.5 million in investments will focus on updating the camping infrastructure and experiences at two popular parks in Minnesota.
- $5 million for a pilot to modernize experiences at Minneopa State Park with a campground designed with larger, accessible sites and modernized facilities, and improved wayfinding and trails
- $4.5 million for renewing wastewater infrastructure at Myre-Big Island State Park.
Enhancing fisheries and fishing infrastructure
What's the need: Minnesota is renowned for its fishing opportunities, but the places that produce fish and where people catch fish need investments so people can continue to have great fishing experiences.
A number of the state's fish hatcheries were constructed in the 1950s and are still operating with original equipment. The DNR also manages 360 shore fishing sites and fishing piers across the state. Many new anglers, families and children, and people with more limited economic resources rely on shore fishing facilities to access Minnesota's public waters.
What's the investment: The $60 million in investments move Minnesota toward a state-of-the-art fish hatchery system with safe and biosecure water supplies, increased fish production, and improved staff safety. The investments will also enhance shore fishing sites and opportunities.
- $24 million for the Waterville Hatchery
- $19 million for the Crystal Springs Hatchery
- $12 million for other hatcheries
- $5 million for shore fishing
Modernizing boating access
What's the need: DNR-operated public water accesses need significant investment to make them accessible to all users, meet the needs of modern watercraft, improve protection of public waters from stormwater runoff and invasive species, and enhance climate resilience.
The Minnesota DNR has identified more than 40 public water access sites throughout the state for extensive upgrades. This work, which is part of the historic Get Out MORE initiative, will be coordinated with ongoing baseline investments to ensure the efficient use of all funds. View map or list for locations.
Smaller-scale improvements to more than 75 additional accesses are also on the way.
What's the investment: This $35 million in investments will enable the DNR to update more than 100 public water accesses to be more accessible to all users, meet the needs of modern watercraft, improve protection of public waters from stormwater runoff and invasive species, and enhance climate resilience.
- $30 million for 40 to 60 large-scale projects, which will include accessible features, stormwater improvements, aquatic invasive species prevention, healthy shorelines and accessible ramps for non-motorized boats.
- $5 million for 75-125 small-scale projects, including longer launch ramps, wider drive lanes, wider and longer parking stalls and improved stormwater treatment.
What people are saying: Itasca State Park manager Aaron Wunrow talks about how the improvements at the public water access at the park are a good example of what those improvements will look like at locations across the state.
Restoring streams and modernizing water-related infrastructure to support outdoor recreation
What's the need: More intense rains combined with changes in land use cause more flooding and road washouts, degrade streambanks, and overwhelm water control structures. This impacts our fish, waterfowl and recreation opportunities.
What's the investment: Phase one of this $10 million investment will reconnect an estimated 63 miles of streams and restore an estimated 43,000 feet of habitat.
- Phase one includes $5.6 million for channel restoration, dam removal and modification, and culvert replacements for streams throughout Minnesota.
- The DNR will share information about the projects the balance of the funding will be used for in the future.
What people are saying: DNR area fisheries supervisor TJ DeBates shares the impact of climate change on Minnesota’s streams and the importance of restoration work.