Enjoy Minnesota state parks in a whole new light
These free, family-friendly events feature short, easy trails lit with lanterns or ice luminaries. Drop in anytime during the event, and enjoy the trail at your own pace. Most people just walk, but you can snowshoe if you like, and a few events may even offer a candlelit ski trail. Check to see if your park rents snowshoes or skis, and remember that if you're on a groomed ski trail, you'll need a Great Minnesota Ski Pass.
Events are free, but you will need a vehicle permit a to enter the park. Save time and get yours online in advance!
- Please note: Occasionally, due to extreme weather or poor snow conditions, an event may need to be canceled or changed. Generally a candlelight event will go on even when there's no snow - it just becomes a candlelight hike, rather than snowshoe or ski!
Events calendar
Scroll table right to see more »| 01/01/26 | First Day Hike - candlelight hike | Forestville Mystery Cave State Park | |
| 01/02/26 | Luce Line State Trail Candlelight Walk | Luce Line State Trail, Plymouth | |
| 01/03/26 | Lac qui Parle State Park Candlelight Hike | Lac qui Parle State Park | |
| 01/10/26 | Lantern Light Event | Itasca State Park | |
| 01/23/26 | Gateway State Trail Candlelight Walk | Gateway State Trail, Mahtomedi MN | |
| 01/24/26 | Candlelight Event | Nerstrand Big Woods State Park | |
| 01/31/26 | Candlelight Event | Mille Lacs Kathio State Park | |
| 01/31/26 | Glow in the Snow Candlelight Snowshoe | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 01/31/26 | Candlelight Event | Lake Carlos State Park | |
| 01/31/26 | Candlelight Hike | Camden State Park | |
| 01/31/26 | Candlelight Hike | Fort Ridgely State Park | |
| 01/31/26 | Candlelight Hike & Ski | Frontenac State Park | |
| 02/07/26 | Afton State Park Candlelight Walk | Afton State Park | |
| 02/07/26 | Candlelight Hike | Minneopa State Park | |
| 02/14/26 | Candlelight Event | Glacial Lakes State Park | |
| 02/14/26 | Lantern Light Event | Itasca State Park | |
| 02/14/26 | Candlelight Event | Gooseberry Falls State Park | |
| 02/14/26 | Twilight Trails Candlelight Ski | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 02/14/26 | Candlelight Night (Ski, Walk & Snowshoe) | Wild River State Park | |
| 02/14/26 | Candlelight Event - Ski, Snowshoe, and Walk | Jay Cooke State Park | |
| 02/21/26 | Winter's Glow Candlelight Snowshoe | Big Bog State Recreation Area | |
| 02/28/26 | Candlelight Event | Lake Carlos State Park |