Join the Minnesota State Parks Passport Club today and unlock a world of exploration and discovery!
Ready to embark on a new journey? With each stamp in your passport, you'll uncover hidden gems, scenic vistas, and unforgettable adventures that await around every corner. Collect stamps, earn rewards, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the beauty of Minnesota like never before!
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the beauty of Minnesota like never before!
How it works
The Hiking Club is a set list of trails for you to explore at Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas. The trails are various lengths and difficulties. Along the Hiking Club trails you will come across a sign that has a password on it. Collecting passwords and getting to 25, 50, 75, 100, 175, and all Hiking Club miles is how you will earn rewards. Only Hiking Club trails count toward your total miles.
Stamp locations
At most state parks, stamps can be found at the entrance station or kiosk. Below are the exceptions to this rule:
- Garden Island State Recreation Area stamp is at Zippel Bay State Park.
- Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area stamp is in the parking area information kiosk at the Minnesota DNR area office: 20596 Highway 7, Hutchinson, MN 55350.
- Hill Annex State Park is only open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend—however, the passport club stamp is accessible year-round in a small box attached to the kiosk to the left of the entrance gate.
- La Salle Lake State Recreation Area stamp is at Itasca State Park.
- St. Croix Islands State Recreation Area stamp is at William O'Brien State Park.
- John A. Latsch State Park stamp is at Whitewater State Park.
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has a stamp in each unit.
- Soudan Underground Mine has stamps at the front gate, inside and outside the office and at the counter.
- Lake Vermilion has stamps at the registration kiosk and in the campground registration area.
- Upper Sioux Agency is no longer a state park as of February 16, 2024. You do not need to get this stamp or password to complete your club.
Forgotten booklets
Visiting a park but forgot your booklet to stamp? If you are still at the park, you can stamp any piece of paper and glue it into your Passport Club booklet later. You do not need to have your booklet with you to stamp a piece of paper. If you do not collect a stamp at the time of your visit, you will need to return to the park.
Missing stamps
If you visit a state park or recreation area and the stamp is missing from the kiosk, please call or visit the state park office. If the office is not open during your visit, take a photo of the kiosk clearly showing the location. Send the photo to [email protected] with the park, day, and time.
Getting started
To join the Passport Club, simply grab your club book for $14.95 plus tax at any state park Nature Store or conveniently order online. Once you receive your book, make sure you fill out the name and contact information section in the booklet. Occasionally we find a lost booklet with no contact information. Don’t lose all your progress—fill out your booklet!
Register
Your booklet will have a physical card to register for the Hiking Club in it. You can send the card in or register online.
Rewards
Free Night of Camping Certificate and Pin
When you acquire 25 stamps and all stamps, you qualify for a free night of camping certificate—totaling two nights. When you get all stamps we will mail your second free night of camping certificate out to you with your plaque. To get your 25 stamps certificate, visit an open state park office. Explain to the staff person that you are a member of the Passport Club, you have 25 stamps, and would like to claim your free night of camping certificate and pin. Don’t be disappointed by a closed office—double check office hours before your visit on the park website! Especially in the winter, some park office hours can be reduced or only at request.
Your free night of camping certificate will be a paper certificate and will only be good for one year. The certificate must be redeemed in-person—it cannot be used when booking your reservation online. We will need the paper certificate to redeem the free night, so don’t forget to pack it with you!
Not a tent camper? The certificate’s value can be applied toward a different lodging type (camper cabin, lodge, etc.). The value of the certificate is equal to one night of non-electric camping at the specific park you are staying at. View the value of a non-electric camp site at each state park.
Plaque
Once you’ve collected all stamps, you can submit your Completion Form to order your plaque! You will mail your completed form and your booklet to us. Read and follow the instructions on the form. We will mail the plaque, second free night of camping certificate, and your booklet back to you.
We place bulk plaque orders at the end of odd numbered months (Jan., March, etc.) to our vendor. Depending on when we receive your form, it is possible you may not receive your plaque, certificate and booklet back for over three months. You will get a confirmation email saying we received your booklet and form—after which we will not provide updates. Thank you for your patience!
Before you explore
Visit the park website
It is strongly encouraged that you visit the state park or recreation area’s webpage before you head out to a park. Once you are on the state park or recreation area’s webpage:
- Check for visitor alerts: park staff frequently update the website to include alerts about trail conditions, events, and closures due to flooding, emergencies, hunting, and more.
- Seasonal updates: on each park’s website there is a ‘seasonal updates’ section on the menu. Most parks do not have full staffing through the winter months, this can sometimes mean there will be limited or no snowplowing at a park. Unless you want to snowshoe to the kiosk, check the updates section before you leave!