You should check it out: http://banjosandbogs.blogspot.com/. Its amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it. I think the next time I do it, it will be during a cooler month. Beaver Creek ValleyState Park5. They have GPS enabled maps that let you track your location as you hike. We recommended waiting to visit this state park until the spring, as portions of this hiking club trail are groomed for skiing in the winter. I took it a step further and identified the best amenities at each park. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. With 66 state parks, 9 recreation areas, and more than 10,000 lakes (one of which is the massive Lake Superior), there are literally thousands of miles to hike all year round. A brief review of this park is included in our 5 Great Dog-Friendly State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota post. Pro Tip: Before you hit the trail, be sure to pack these day hiking essentials in your daypack! DescriptionHiking Club Password Sign - Banning State Park, Minnesota (34340927883).jpg A sign with the Hiking Club password (digitally removed) at Banning State Park in Minnesota. CamdenState Park10. The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a 3.3-mileloop trail. Once you turn to head back to the parking lot, the trail nears the banks of the Kettle River. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. I get excited every time I get a new stamp! The goal of the Hiking Club is to help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the state. The other half was packed Down from snow shoes. Yes, the park was beautiful. Beautiful hike! going counter clockwise there was one hill going down toward the river that we walked down. Does anyone know what it is? You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. MN has some amazing State Parks. The Blue Mounds State Park Hiking Club State Trail, Other Things to Do At Blue Mounds State Park, Other Questions about Blue Mounds State Park in MN. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. Im a beginner so this was perfect and mostly pretty flat. Beautiful trail, double tracked and well groomed all the way around the island, especially considering the warmer weather recently. 1. But you can purchase your Hiking Club book at any Nature Store. MaplewoodState Park49. This loop would have been very difficult to get through all of the snow if you didnt have snowshoes. Beware horse apples! It gives you unlimited access to the parks for the year. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. Trail is fairly well snow packed. However, every dog is unique and while the author of this blog is a veterinarian, she is not your dog's veterinarian. Do you spend your weekends camping, hiking, fishing, and everything outdoors? Its about protecting what sustains us. For $14.95 you can be a part of this too. Its a free guide I put together spilling all the dirt on hiking. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Grab your permit online or at a park office. Half on snowmobile trail, half ungroomed. Nerstrand Big WoodsState Park57. Do you know if we lost one at some point? The Hiking Club password sign at Franz Jevne State Park near Baudette, Minnesota. Wow, thanks! Required fields are marked *. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. Great River BluffsState Park29. Fort RidgelyState Park19. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. It starts at the park office and travels NW. Buffalo RiverState Park9. She is a member of the Hiking Club, but unfortunately she left it at home. If the surface is rocky, rough or likely to inure paw pads, the trail will score a zero here. Went out from the boat landing to the canoe in campsites for the first time ever. You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html. Im not going to sugarcoat it, they could have done better. I didnt even know about the Passport Club! Hi Ian! Home | About Me | Contact Me | Blog | Disclaimer. Grab your permit online or at a park office. Thankfully just to the side of the trail and not on it. Pro Tip: Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! Hello, fellow Minnesotan! One is simply a passport that upon arrival, you get a stamp for each park you visit. Along the Mound Trail, near an outcropping of rocks, are patches of Prickly Pair Cactus. Taking Children This hike is well suited to including children. But they have been spotted in the Twin Cities before. McCarthy BeachState Park50. You can also try and spot them at the Bison Observation Tower near the park campground. Your email address will not be published. Fun to have so many water views. Today the Bison still reside thanks to a unique program. Im very much a beginner but would still recommend this area for all levels. One the western border of Minnesota, Big Stone Lake State Park follows along the shore of Big Stone Lake. This is a lovely part of the trail, offering views of scenic rocky quarry walls and interesting historical buildings. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. I thought maybe it was in the visitor building, but it was closed. St. Croix Island State Recreation Area61. WhitewaterState Park73. If you forgot your bike, they have some for rent. 9 4 Minnesota United States of America North America Place 4 comments Best Add a Comment Traction devices recommended! The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. The falls were amazing. I thought maybe it was in the visitor building, but it was closed. Begin your Hiking Club trek with a trip to the Nature Store to purchase your Hiking Club book. It works by taking the same MN State Parks maps you used to and placing your GPS position on top of it. I did the hiking club trail at Cascade River State Park yesterday with my dog and it got me interested in completing more hiking club trails with her and luckily I stumbled across this great guide! This trail is actually a combination of two trails, the River Bluff Trail and a portion of a paved bike path. Clicking on them doesnt cost you anything. For me, this is where the real beauty starts. Hard packed snow, deep just off to the side. Hiding near the Camping area of the park is a man-made dam, creating Upper Mound Lake. For being the first day of 40 & Sunny I was shocked only seeing one person in the 4 miles I went, not mad at it. Try this 1.1-mile loop trail near Sunburg, Minnesota. The tour lasts 90 minutes and goes inside the enclosure in an open-air truck. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 20 min to complete. This is a list of all of Minnesota's State Park Hiking Club trails. When I purchased mine in 2018 there were 75, though that would include the 8 recreation areas since those are part of the passport program. The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at the. Nothing is worse than getting to the MN State Park only to find the office is closed. No fair saying where. There is usually a stamp in the self-serve area outside of the office or near the entrance to the park. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. stars Last Edited by renneranderson I really liked the video. When you get to 25 parks, you receive a free night of camping. Minimal dirt and sticks on the track, but it was a bit icy. Some parts of the trails were pretty rough even with both. The 100 miles patch. To get a better look at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry Loop Trail. After a short jaunt through woods, the trail goes by Beason Lake which would probably better be described as a pond. Alternate entrance to the trail is a very short walk NE from the parking area, along the shoulder to 47.5560295, -90.8724095. Highly recommend. Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good introduction to the history and resources of the park area. Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . Check them out. Fromepic hikes around the worldto adventures closer to my home inMinnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! Your email address will not be published. The trails cover a wide range of difficulty and length. All the best! On the first day of Spring and Fall, the sunrise aligns perfectly with these rocks. The trail can be flooded or muddy especially in the springtime. They were just starting to bud when we got there. Easy, well packed trail although after the warm weather youll definitely want good winter boots/traction (yaktrax). Information on this website should not replace advice from your dog's veterinarian or behaviorist. I cannot believe how fast your energy reserves drain at those temperatures. What is the MN State Parks Passport Club? The Epic Road Trip to Alaska: Is it dog friendly? A Hiking Club kit can be purchased . Home | About Me | Contact Me | Blog | Disclaimer. Beaver Creek Valley State Park is located in the bluff lands of southeastern Minnesota and is known for its clear spring-fed trout streams. This got reported a few times to the mods but I'm going to leave it. That sounds like an awesome project! During the morning hours. During the summer months, the top of the cactus is topped with bright yellow flowers. HAVE not found this much unfo elsewhere. The next morning, around 7:30 we went back and could enjoy ourselves a little more. Disclaimer Notice: This website contains some general medical and behavior modification information for dogs. Warm & gorgeous for. Each one sleeps up to 6 people. If the trails are open but the visitor building isn't I don't see any reason people should be penalized in the meantime. Out to the falls and back only. If you want to skip to a specific park, use the table below to help you figure out what page of this post to jump to.Afton Buffalo RiverPage 1Camden Great River BluffsPage 2Hayes MaplewoodPage 3McCarthy SchoolcraftPage 4Sibley Zippel BayPage 5. One of the interesting things that were found at Blue Mounds State Park is the Rock Alignment. How much does it cost to camp at Blue Mounds State Park? Another western Minnesota State Park, the hiking club trail at Buffalo River State Park provides both riverside and prairie hiking. Well, did you know that you can step across the tiny creek that marks the beginning of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park (which I chose as the best state park in Minnesota)? Wild RiverState Park74. InterstateState Park33. This 9,500 acre park along the Baptism River boasts 23 miles of trails including a section of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), three waterfalls, and a spectacular shoreline along Lake Superior. The Middle Falls Trail is spectacular. Hiking at Blue Mounds State Park is one for the record books. Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. The programs work great together and give you a good reason to get out and explore. Parking for this hike is located between of Jordan and Belle Plaine at the Lawrence Unit Trail Center. At 100 miles, you also earn a free night of camping. SibleyState Park67. St. Croix River at Wild River MN State Park. After visiting 25 parks, you earn a free night of camping and a pin. Hello! Because Minnesota has the benefit of having all four seasons, the same trail can offer you a completely different experience throughout the year. Trail was packed down well. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Beautiful trail. Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). Great hike! This is such a cool idea! You're very welcome! Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. This is a game-changer for anyone directionally challenged or those that want a little reassurance when you come to an intersection with more branches than shown on the map. Half of this was groomed. If you told my kid that over the course of a couple of years, theyd hike 100 miles, they would have said you are crazy. Of all of the places Ive lived, Minnesota has the most strong and welcoming outdoor adventure community, making it easy to connect with like-minded outdoor adventurers. We hiked the Quarry Loop to Wolf Creek Fall, 5.5 mile out and back. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. Follow the trail 10.8 miles ending at MN-48, or continue on the full 25 miles of the trail. Great trail, relatively level, and a fantastic view at the end. Perfect for winter hiking. Also, your blog is helpful in planning these trips. It wasnt busy at all! Grab your passport at a park office or online for under $15 and then collect your stamps as you explore each of the 75 state parks and recreation areas. Garden Island State Recreation Area23. Have fun with it!:). However, as we complete each trail we will add pictures, our favorite parts of the trail, overall dog-friendliness, and more. If you purchase a permit on June 1st this year, you have until June 30th of the following year to explore. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. 2021Outdoor Project. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Cross-country skied the part of this trail nearest the lake on Sunday afternoon 2/5. Bison, elk, wolves, and prairie chickens once roamed most of the park. Whether youre looking for new trails to inspire you or a fun way to remember your adventures, the. Mountain biking through St Croix State Park provides a great opportunity to see the park's wildlife and wooded forests. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Bear Head LakeState Park4. Snowshoed it. Well, did you know that you can step across the tiny creek that marks the beginning of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park (which I chose as the. If you cant get enough of hiking in Minnesota and make it to all 75 state parks and recreation areas, you earn another free night of camping plus a personalized MN State Parks Passport Club plaque. Each time I visit a park, I give out trail descriptions and tips. Manage Settings Use grips and caution if you can! Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Shortly before the one-mile mark the trail leaves the pond area begins its loop; stay to the left at the fork. The Hiking Club operates in a similar manner. Easy trail. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also take the trail into Levrune. Crosby Manitou is such a beautiful park. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is entirely at your own risk. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription. This is just the beginning of the summer. February day. While there are 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas, only 68 of them have a designated hiking club trail. Continue with Recommended Cookies. There are 75 in total. I looked at the map supplied by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is the Hiking Club Trail. Based on what Ive seen online, weve all lost our way. The MN State Parks Passport Program also has a Hiking Club. Cross country skied this trail and it was well groomed except for a small part right along the river. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. They have a good idea of the best viewing spots. If its not at the park, you can mail in your passport to Park Office in St Pauls office and let them know the date you were there and that you could not get the stamp. Thanks again! Highly recommend poles with yaktraks too. Judge C.R. Hey, thanks! They are always incredibly helpful! Seriously, Josy! Do you and your dog love to hike? Its about protecting what sustains us. The first is a playground near the picnic area. Stairs ARE slippery! St. Croix River at Wild River MN State Park. No one else on the trail. Why do they call it Blue Mounds State Park? We have a similar park passport system in Massachusetts and its great. I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. So without further ado, here are the trails. As you travel to each park, stop by the main office and get your passport stamped. We would greatly appreciate it. Easy trail. Lac qui ParleState Park41. William OBrienState Park75. I loved getting to explore some of the trails, including the bike area. More information about the program can be found here. BanningState Park3. That is why I was so excited when I got gifted a MN State Park Passport this past holiday season. Lake ShetekState Park47. Lake CarlosState Park44. Its such a steal. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Ice packed snow & slushy. function ml_webform_success_2601308(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2601308 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2601308 .row-form").hide()} All sales are final. The trail is wide and flat. Wore trax instead of snowshoes & was thankful for that. Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. Gorgeous views. Call 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 Email us: [email protected] Sign up for email updates Loading. It wasnt busy at all! 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