On Thursday, Jan. 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting First Day Hike events at 12 state parks in support of a nationwide effort to connect people to the outdoors. As part of the First Day Hikes initiative led by America’s State Parks, a national organization, hikers in all 50 states will welcome the new year with an outdoor hike, exercising and connecting with nature.
The DNR’s First Day Hikes will be held at:
- Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, Preston
- Fort Snelling State Park, St. Paul
- Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton
- Lake Bemidji State Park, Bemidji
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan
- Maplewood State Park, Pelican Rapids
- Minneopa State Park, Mankato
- Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Nerstrand
- Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay
- Whitewater State Park, Altura
- William O’Brien State Park, Marine on St. Croix
Participants may snowshoe if the ground has enough snow cover. They can bring their own snowshoes or borrow a set from the state park (if available) at no charge.
Interested members of the media and public can find more details about individual hikes on the DNR’s First Day Hikes webpage (mndnr.gov/firstdayhike).
There is no participation fee for First Day Hikes, but visitors need a vehicle permit ($7 per day or $35 for a year) to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. Visitors can save time and purchase permits in advance on the DNR’s permit webpage (mndnr.gov/permit) or buy a permit in person during open hours at a state park ranger station.
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