All News

June 24, 2019

Youth Engagement Grant Awards – Round 1

Five volunteer-led friends groups will implement youth engagement projects at state parks and trails this year, with support from the Minnesota DNR and funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include organizing field trips, hosting recreation opportunities, and developing hands-on ...
Read More
kids looking over bog through binoculars
June 6, 2019

Caramel Apple Ride on Lake Wobegon Trail (9/7)

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association Saturday, September 7, 2019  |  Sauk Centre, MN Spend the day riding the great Lake Wobegon Trail Country. Enjoy the fall colors and great apple refreshments at all the rest stops including caramel apples and other treats from local vendors. ...
Read More
branded ride picture with a caramel apple
June 6, 2019

Rail Trails 100: Shuttle out, ride your bike back! (8/3)

From Lake Wobegon Trails Association Saturday, August 3, 2019  |  Fergus Falls, MN The Central Lakes and Lake Wobegon Trails offer some of the best trail riding in the state of Minnesota, and this is your chance to conquer both of them in one day! ...
Read More
group of riders under the St. Joseph sign
June 5, 2019

Hayes Lake State Park saved from an OHV campground

After a lengthy public-input and planning process that was designed to weigh the best location for an off-highway vehicle (OHV) campground in Northwestern Minnesota, the MnDNR is recommending the best location as Beltrami Island State Forest rather than Hayes Lake State Park.
Read More
June 5, 2019

2019 Legislative Session Recap

The 2019 Legislative Session wrapped up with Gov. Tim Walz signing the omnibus budget bills into law on May 31. Despite some unsettling moments in the midst of session, when the Senate proposed drastic General Fund cuts, a compromise was eventually reached and it ended ...
Read More
Minnesota State Capitol Dome
June 4, 2019

Legislators’ attempt to open State Parks to off-highway vehicles kept at bay in 2019

During the 2019 Legislative Session, a handful of legislators* tried to advance a bill (HF 48/SF 1568) that would mandate a pilot project at Hayes Lake and Lake Vermilion State Parks to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to use the campground and access routes within these state parks.
Read More
May 30, 2019

Sibley State Park celebrates centennial

From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Full slate of activities scheduled for June 8 Everyone’s invited to celebrate Sibley State Park’s centennial year on Saturday, June 8, with entertainment and family-friendly activities all day. The park is located near the west-central city of New …

Read More
prairie field
May 29, 2019

Bridge installed across Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail

From Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail A bridge was put into place on Friday, May 24 on the west side of Hwy 21 over the Cannon River for the Mill Towns State Trail. Once complete, the bridge and newly constructed section of trail ...
Read More
crane installing a trail bridge over a river
May 22, 2019

[CANCELLED] Trail Family Fun Day on the Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail on July 13

From Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail Association [CANCELLED] Saturday, July 13, 9 am to 12pm Get out on the trail for some summer fun, adventure, and a scavenger hunt! The Gateway-Brown’s Creek Trail Association is hosting a family fun day on Saturday, July 13. Guests will enjoy ...
Read More
Gateway horses and bikers
May 22, 2019

3rd Annual Big Woods Photo Contest Launches

From Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Friends of Nerstrand has launched its 3rd annual photo contest. Winning photos will be published in a 2020 Calendar, to be used as a fundraiser by the Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Proceeds will help ...
Read More
waterfall
May 9, 2019

Support, volunteers welcome for Heartland Spur Trail project

From Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee A member of the Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee wrote a Letter to the Editor highlighting an overview of the spur trail development. Read this letter in The Park Rapids Enterprise May 4 edition: "Support, volunteers welcome for Heartland ...
Read More
pedestrians on Heartland State Trail
April 25, 2019

Engineering Study Slated for Heartland Trail Spur

Our Friends Group Partner, the Heartland Itasca Spur Citizen Committee, has been advocating for the development of a trail connecting the Heartland State Trail into Itasca State Park.Read about their progress in The Park Rapids Enterprise April 24 article:"Engineering study slated for Heartland Trail Spur"
Read More
My husband and son on a bike trip. They started out in Itasca State Park, then biked on to the Mi-Gi-Zi, Heartland and Paul Bunyan trails and into Minneapolis.
April 9, 2019

Spring Clean Up at Lake Maria on April 27

From Friends of Lake Maria State Park Please join other park volunteers as we help prepare the park for the summer season. Volunteers will be raking, working on trails and clearing bucktorn near the trail center.  Lunch will be provided. Registration is needed for this ...
Read More
Volunteers stand by the water with the trash they collected during the clean up
April 9, 2019

Friends of Scandia 2019 Spring Speaker Series

From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails announces its spring 2019 season of speakers. Events are open to the public. For more information contact Janie O'Connor (651) 481-3152 or friendsscandiaparks@gmail.com. Friends of Scandia members Building Resiliency to Climate Change ...
Read More
Native yellow sunflowers in a field
April 2, 2019

Minnesota bids farewell to Conservation Pioneer

Martin Kellogg quietly helped create Voyageurs National Park, Grand Portage State Park and numerous environmental organizations, dead at 88
Read More