Registration for summer and fall 2026 I Can! outdoor recreation programs in Minnesota state parks and recreation areas opens Friday, March 20.
The I Can! series of award-winning outdoor recreation programs helps beginners learn outdoor skills, including camping, fishing, mountain biking and paddling, in a range of beautiful state park settings. For those who have already tried the basics, participants can expand their knowledge by trying a more challenging program, like backpack and canoe camping or sea kayaking.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers these programs from the first weekend in June through the end of September. The DNR provides equipment for all programs, giving participants an opportunity to try an activity without investing in gear.
“Our goal is to help people try new outdoor activities and get started in a safe and supportive setting,” said Eric Pelto, special programs supervisor who oversees the I Can! program.
To register for I Can! programs, visit mndnr.gov/reservations or call 866-857-2757 (8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, except holidays).
Registration fees include a state park vehicle permit for the program dates.
Programs include:
I Can Camp!
- One and two-night programs
- Learn how to set up a tent, build a safe campfire, cook at a campsite and more. These programs are great for brand-new campers.
- Locations: Trips are available at 19 different state parks across Minnesota
- Backpack camping
- Stepping out into the backcountry for the first time can be daunting. Learn all the basics of a successful trip, including packing and fitting a backpack, hiking to a campsite, secure food storage methods and more.
- Locations: Afton and Lake Maria state parks
- Paddle canoe camping
- Learn about canoe camping adventures, including paddling skills, how to pack gear in a canoe, plan a route and more.
- Locations: Glendalough, Savanna Portage and St. Croix state parks
More I Can Camp! Information, including program dates and fees, is at mndnr.gov/state_parks/ican/camp.html.
I Can Paddle!
- Canoeing and kayaking, two-hour program
- Learn the basics of canoeing or kayaking on a lake, including launching, paddling efficiently, and planning a safe outing.
- Locations: 12 state parks across Minnesota
- Sea kayaking, two-hour program
- Level up from paddling on a lake or river and try sea kayaking on Lake Superior.
- Location: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
More I Can Paddle! information, including program dates and fees, is at mndnr.gov/state_parks/ican/paddle.html
I Can Mountain Bike!
Learn the fundamentals of mountain biking to safely hit the trails with confidence, from shifting gears to maneuvering around obstacles.
Location: Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
More I Can Mountain Bike! information, including program dates and fees, is at mndnr.gov/state_parks/ican/mountain_bike.html.
I Can Fish!
Experience the thrill of casting a line and reeling in a catch! These hands-on, two-hour sessions cover everything from baiting a hook to safely handling fish.
Locations: Father Hennepin, Fort Snelling, Sibley, and Whitewater state parks
More I Can Fish! information, including program dates and fees, is at mndnr.gov/state_parks/ican/fish.html.
About I Can!
Since 2010, more than 100,000 people have participated in I Can! programs. The DNR’s I Can! series is made possible with funding from the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25% of the three-eighths percent sales tax revenue to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.