Whether people are looking for a day trip or a full weekend, Minnesota state parks and trails have something everyone can enjoy this Labor Day weekend.
“For those looking to savor the last bit of Minnesota summer, state parks and trails have so many opportunities to get outside,” said Ann Pierce, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Trails Division. “During the Labor Day weekend, we encourage everyone to take time to enjoy nature: whether that’s pitching a tent, paddling a river, hopping on your bike, or just going for a walk outside.”
DNR’s ParkFinder tool can help visitors find their perfect state park adventure by creating a customized search for what amenities they’d like, with everything from camper cabins and paved bike trails to swimming beaches and boat launches.
A few Labor Day outdoor recreation ideas include:
Take a tour or stop by a naturalist program
After Labor Day, several state park tours switch to fall hours with fewer tours offered. Check out the following tours and visit the DNR tours webpage to find full schedules:
- Prairie and bison tours, Blue Mounds State Park – Learn about the prairie ecosystem and Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd.
- Mystery Cave tours, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park – Discover flowstone, fossils, underground pools and more in Minnesota’s longest cave.
- Soudan Mine tours, Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park – Travel deep underground to explore the oldest and deepest iron mine in Minnesota.
Or head to more than 55 naturalist programs at various state parks Sept. 4-7. Most naturalist events are free to attend, but some may require reservations. A state park vehicle permit is required.
A few options include:
- Nature Journaling and Flashlight Nature Walk, Lake Bemidji State Park, Sept. 4, 7-9 p.m.
- Fishing 101, Father Hennepin State Park, Sept. 5, 9-11 a.m.
- Monarch Tagging, Nerstrand Big Wood State Park, Sept. 5, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Fossil Field Trip, Whitewater State Park, Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-noon
Visit mndnr.gov/ptcalendar to find a full schedule of events across the state.
Squeeze in one last camping trip
Many state park campsites are still open to book for Labor Day weekend. Locations with 20 or more drive-in sites available for Sept. 4-7 are:
- Camden
- Kilen Woods
- Lake Bemidji
- Lake Bronson*
- Myre-Big Island
- Rice Lake*
- Sakatah Lake
- Schoolcraft
- Croix
- Zippel Bay
*Multiple electric sites available
See current availability and reserve a campsite on the DNR website. Users can also sign up for the “notify me” function on the reservation website to get an email alert if a cancellation meets their search criteria.
Explore a state trail on foot, bike or even horseback
Minnesota is home to more than 1,500 miles of state trails that crisscross the state. While popular trails — such as the Root River State Trail — can be very busy, check out these less-traveled trails:
- Length: 29 miles between LeRoy and Austin
- Trail uses: Hiking, biking, in-line skating
- Possible stops: Lake Louise State Park, Shooting Star Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
- Length: 49 miles between Park Rapids and Cass Lake, plus connections to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and other regional trail systems
- Trail uses: Hiking, biking (including mountain bike), in-line skating, horseback riding
- Possible stops: Heartland Park, Nevis visitor center, Lake Bemidji State Park (via Paul Bunyan State Trail)
- Length: 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely, plus connections with the David Dill/Arrowhead State Trail
- Trail uses: Hiking, biking (including mountain bike), horseback riding, all-terrain vehicles (class 1 and 2), off-highway motorcycle
- Possible stops: McCarthy Beach State Park, Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Bear Head Lake State Park
For more information about Minnesota’s state trails, visit the DNR's trails webpage.
Start planning fall color travel
As summer ends, fall leaves will soon arrive. Love to go leaf-peeping? The DNR recommends booking camping reservations and buying vehicle permits early. Fall color season can be incredibly busy at state parks and recreation areas.
Head to the reservations webpage to book campsites and lodging. State park vehicle permits ($7 for a daily permit, $35 for a year-round permit) can be purchased ahead of time on the DNR website.
Stay tuned for 2026 fall color maps — showing leaf color progression across the state — to launch Thursday, Sept. 10 on the DNR's fall colors webpage.