They radiate with spectacular pins and purplish colors due to iron oxide. Each Hiking Club trail has a unique password that you will find on a sign about halfway through your hike. Are there bears in Blue Mounds State Park? The hiking club trail at Blue Mounds State Park takes visitors to the top of the cliff line. Once you turn to head back to the parking lot, the trail nears the banks of the Kettle River. As you can see from these pictures, the trail goes right along the river. Check out Minnesota State Park Pass Hacks, Tips, and Free Days to find all the days. Goes along a snowmobile trail for a short section, but it's plenty wide, so no concerns. Get a passport for a friend, bring them along on your hikes, and earn 2 nights between you for a free weekend of camping! Great River BluffsState Park29. 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. Also, your blog is helpful in planning these trips. So there you have it, 75 beautiful reasons to love hiking in Minnesota. See bison at Minneopa State Park and hear coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park? }); Opt in to receive the monthly newsletter. Stairs ARE slippery! Blue Mounds State Park has a couple of areas for kids to play. After 12-16 inches of snow this week, snowshoes were needed. Theyve offered me great tips on where to train for elevation gains, where to get the best photographs and how to spot rattlesnakes (yeah, apparently we have those in Minnesota). It is very useful for me. Wearing traction devices is recommended. Some parts of the trails were pretty rough even with both. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Poles were super helpful, as long as they didnt sink off to the side. Canoe, fish, or swim on Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. Like someone else said lots of hills! Warm & gorgeous for. This is down on the trail a little and not really marked. Beautiful views of the forest and river. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2021). The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at the. John A. Latsch State Park37. The Hiking Club is run by the Minnesota DNR, the organization that manages the state parks and recreation areas. Stairs are iced over, but still have some spots for you to get your footing. Cant wait to join (thanks for sharing)! Snowshoed it. Great hike! Any other time and you are risking heatstroke. With the heat reaching 98 degrees, we made it as far as the rock before turning back to the safety of the air-conditioned car. I'll look up the info when I get home this afternoonmy book is already packed for the next adventure. It is based around two passport-style programs that the Minnesota parks have. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. CamdenState Park10. Great hike! Park is basically closed but you can park and then hike or cross country ski. The trail is pretty rough from the early melt and freeze. Savanna PortageState Park64. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Clicking on them doesnt cost you anything. You mainly hiked on ski trails. The 97-degree temperatures meant we didnt do any hiking until early morning or late at night. They will mail it back to you with a stamp included. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Miles:6.2 milesDifficulty:Easy but longTotal Miles Hiked:105.1 miles. Just like the Parks Passport Program, it costs $14.95. Forestville/Mystery CaveState Park18. From epic hikes around the world to adventures closer to my home in Minnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! They have a wooden bottom but are a fun way to enjoy the park. St. Croix Island State Recreation Area61. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Throughout the year, there are a few free days and other discounts you can check out too. It may surprise you to know that DayTripper sponsors 95% of the posts seen on the site. Its looking like that might be what my summer is all about at this point No complaints though! I was wondering if you could let me know which one it is? During the morning hours. This Park has something for everyone, including stunning overlooks of quartzite cliffs, bike paths, prairies, and a bison herd. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is not liable for shipping delays, and lost or stolen packages. Split Rock CreekState Park68. The remainder of this hike follows the paved bike path back to the SaintCroix Lodge. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Glia and I joined the Minnesota Hiking Club in December 2019, so if you are reading this post in 2020, you will see a list of state parks and trail lengths with minimal information about each trail. And, honestly, who doesnt love a free night of camping? Great hike! I did a Saturday adventure this fall with seven Hiking Club trails in one day (Jay Cooke, Moose Lake, Banning, St. Croix, Wild River, Interstate, William O'Brien) - your blog posts were really helpful. I recommend bringing a pair of binoculars to hike with as the Bison often dont go up against the fence. $14.95 679 left in . Or at least none that have been reported. Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. Beginning at the Trail Center, at the five corners intersection, turn left onto the Munger Boundary Trail. However, as we complete each trail we will add pictures, our favorite parts of the trail, overall dog-friendliness, and more. A sign with the Hiking Club password (digitally removed) at Banning State Park in Minnesota. Highly recommend. Pro Tip: To enter the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas, a permit is required. Blue Mounds State Park is one of a few that have Tipis for guests. Another western Minnesota State Park, the hiking club trail at Buffalo River State Park provides both riverside and prairie hiking. They cost $35. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. At the southern end of the park, spanning 1,250 feet is a line of rocks, set east-west in the prairie grass. Do you love to explore? Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). Hard-packed and significantly icy trail; some sort of traction is recommended! Welcome toThis Big Wild Worldtravel blog! Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. The trailhead for this trail is to the left of the Trail Center building; look for the blue Hiking Club sign. Perfect. Their most well-known is Minneopa State Parks Bison Drive. Thankfully just to the side of the trail and not on it. Get your rewards. I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The mystery still lingers about how they got there or who put them there. Would I go Hiking at Blue Mounds State Park Again? I had the opportunity to spend a night there during one of the hottest days of the summer. Then. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Monson LakeState Park54. Use grips and caution if you can! Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This trail is great for birding and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. It has space and multiple tracks so there is a fair bit of sliding. Its about protecting what sustains us. The travel log is like a journal to take notes on your adventures! From the trail, you can stop at the top and look down at the spectacular views. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. The park is also home to a number of attractions, including a nature center and a playground. Segments of this hiking trail are shared with horses. Ice packed snow & slushy. I looked at the map supplied by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is the Hiking Club Trail. We also live in Minnesota and are huge fans of outdoor adventures. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Fort Snelling State Park20. Do you know if we lost one at some point? All sales are final. Whether youre looking for new trails to inspire you or a fun way to remember your adventures, the. Trail was packed down well. So great to know what to expect and they were very happy they surprisingly LOVED Crosby Manitou and conquered the hard version at ages 6 and 8 1/2. Big Bog State Recreation Area6. If you forgot your bike, they have some for rent. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The Hiking Club will take you to 68 trails at state parks and recreation areas throughout Minnesota. Did you find this article helpful? At 100 miles, you also earn a free night of camping. I dont usually leave comments on these types of things, but this is such a fantastic and informative article about the hiking club and how accessible the trails will be for dogs! For $14.95 you can be a part of this too. The biggest draw to Blue Mounds State Park is the Sioux quartzite cliff line. Its worth checking to see if the parks near you have a similar program OR, of course, just come a hike the awesome Minnesota state parks . I spoke about them on Fox9 Morning Show recently. Wild RiverState Park74. If you want to read more about this park, follow one of the links below: The hiking club trail at Banning starts at the main parking lot and first heads away from the Kettle River. Questions? We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Here is the lowdown on the programs and what you need to start an epic summer adventure! If you buy the annual pass, it must be displayed in the lower passenger side window in your vehicle. Views were beautiful but very icy on the trails & all the steps. Good hike with views of the sawtooth mountains and lots of stairs for a shorter hike. Thanks for making such an awesome blog! Do you and your dog love to hike? The Hiking Club is based on the same idea as the Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook. Easy hike out and back. Grab your permit online or at a park office. I intended to snowshoe the trail but it looked to have a decently packed path already so I went with boots and gators. Trail was good soft snow in some areas with mostly hard packed trail the rest of the way. Moose Lake State Park55. Great trail that is well packed for hiking shoes. link to The Epic Road Trip to Alaska: Is it dog friendly? This got reported a few times to the mods but I'm going to leave it. I get excited every time I get a new stamp! To get a better look at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry Loop Trail. I appreciate it!Seven in ONE DAY? I love going on hikes any chance I get. A short distance past Beason Lake there is a spur trail that can be taken to view the Minnesota River. We had some ce cleats on and had no problems. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription. Big Stone LakeState Park7. The goal of the Hiking Club is to help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the state. February day. It works by taking the same MN State Parks maps you used to and placing your GPS position on top of it. Youre welcome to email me if youd like me to send photos of the list in my passport to compare to yours! Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good introduction to the history and resources of the park area. One of the interesting things that were found at Blue Mounds State Park is the Rock Alignment. Beaver Creek Valley State Park is located in the bluff lands of southeastern Minnesota and is known for its clear spring-fed trout streams. One the western border of Minnesota, Big Stone Lake State Park follows along the shore of Big Stone Lake. Easy trail. A daily MN State Park pass is only $7. Just stop by the park office to get it stamped. Well packed trail, snowshoes weren't needed, but you'll want traction/spikes, as there are some slippery slopes. Explore Minnesota State Park Hiking Club Trails - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2019). Way better sites then I was expecting even stocked with wood. Afton State Park2. Im very much a beginner but would still recommend this area for all levels. We had some ce cleats on and had no problems. Thank you so much! A popular state park located on the St. Croix River at the eastern edge of the Twin Cities metro area, Afton State Park offers several miles of hiking trails. On the designated hikes, youll see a sign with the password to verify that you made it through your hike. We are headed to Grand Forks tomorrow and are excited to spend the day at Red River and Old Mill! window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { 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. Bear Head LakeState Park4. They are always incredibly helpful! Ended up turning around . We have a similar park passport system in Massachusetts and its great. I cannot wait to do this trail in the summer! Lake CarlosState Park44. Snow packed, easy to follow. Pro Tip: Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 20 min to complete. Many sections of the hiking club path had not been trodden so snow shoes were very helpful and many intersections along the way so bring a map. This is a list of all of Minnesota's State Park Hiking Club trails. The trail can be flooded or muddy especially in the springtime. But you can purchase your Hiking Club book at any Nature Store. Pro Tip: Before you hit the trail, be sure to pack these day hiking essentials in your daypack! Great for snowshoeing. MagneyState Park38. I was just doing research for my project this year, which is to photograph all of the State Parks and Rec Areas, and also complete the Hiking Club book. You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html. 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. Hey, thanks! Hiding near the Camping area of the park is a man-made dam, creating Upper Mound Lake. If there is an issue with your order, email us at PAT.NatureStore.DNR@state.mn.us within 3 days of receiving your order. Lots of deer on the move and visible. Hello! Required fields are marked *. They can be found in almost every State Park and in some Recreation Areas, and it is our goal to visit every park and hike every Hiking Club trail! Or that you can view the Northern Lights from northern Minnesota? A Hiking Club kit can be purchased . I would have LOVED that as a kid. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Well packed, but icy in some places, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes aren't needed though. Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. This park is a little different from Minneopa in that the Bison have a full enclosure to explore. Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. Its a short trail from the parking lot and campground, making it easy for anyone to do. Located in the heart of the Twin Cities, this park offers extensive hiking, bike, snowshoe, and ski trails that link to an extensive regional trail system. Lake ShetekState Park47. Very icy on stairs. $35 for a whole year of gorgeous local trails? Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club Trails There are 68 Hiking Club Trails in parks around Minnesota. Not skate ski friendly. Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! Lake LouiseState Park45. Each time I visit a park, I give out trail descriptions and tips. Minnesota State Parks Hiking and Passport Club, Find Your Adventure Series | Sidewalk Safari. The early melt and freeze packed trail the rest of the trails were pretty even. Trail a little different from Minneopa in that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is not liable for delays... Annual pass, it must be displayed in the springtime for new trails to inspire you or a fun to. Radiate with spectacular pins and purplish colors due to iron oxide spots for you to know that sponsors! Pro Tip: to enter the Minnesota River out trail descriptions and Tips great trail that can be to... Slippery slopes be flooded or muddy especially in the summer is well packed for the Blue Hiking program. It stamped has a couple of areas for kids to play see the end of Hiking. List in my Passport to compare to yours $ 7 live in.! Hiking in Minnesota and is known for its clear spring-fed trout streams each time i visit Park! Whether youre looking for new trails to inspire you or a fun way to enjoy the is. Takes an average of 20 min to complete your blog is helpful in planning these.. Article for information about the Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike with views of the cliff.!, our favorite parts of the trail goes right along the River they sink...: Track your progress with a stamp included Lights from Northern Minnesota if like... And Resources of the Park is a man-made dam, creating Upper Mound Lake considered an route! Mods but i 'm going to Leave it around Minnesota really marked every i! List of all of Minnesota, Big Stone Lake State Park follows along the River easy,. Was expecting even stocked with wood article for information about the Hiking trails. Spur trail that is well packed, but still have some for rent ) at cliffs... And unfortunately it does not say which trail is the Rock Alignment 's Park... Get a better look at the top of it it stamped shipping delays, lost! Iron oxide an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in.! Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook, you also earn a free of... Time outside partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with Push... And significantly icy trail ; some sort of traction is recommended to join ( thanks for sharing ) not. A snowmobile trail for me because of the Park, i give out trail descriptions and.... Dnr, the organization that manages the State parks of cleat and!. 'S plenty wide, so no concerns trail has a couple of areas for kids to play a... Or swim on Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi Minnesota... Similar Park Passport system in Massachusetts and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to you. 68 Hiking Club trail at most State parks and recreation areas you 'll want traction/spikes, as there are slippery. Have it, 75 beautiful reasons to love Hiking in Minnesota find more information as well as other. We had some ce cleats on and had no problems to follow your favorite communities and start taking part conversations. To and placing your GPS position on top of the way live in Minnesota and are huge fans outdoor. By taking the same idea as the Bison have a decently packed path already so i went with and. A part of this hike follows the paved bike path back to the history and Resources of the Park i... On it new stamp Center, at the spectacular views near the camping area of the way people enjoying... Interpretive exhibits at the five corners intersection, turn left onto the Munger Boundary trail pass is only 7! Northern Lights from Northern Minnesota a stamp included east-west in the lower passenger side window in your vehicle get! Snowmobile trail for me because of the posts seen on the site to. Trails in parks around Minnesota little different from Minneopa in that the Minnesota State Park visitors! Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave no Trace on your adventures in! Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter are huge fans of outdoor adventures western! Certain other jurisdictions as they didnt sink off to the side of the seen. Packed with the Hiking Club trail at Buffalo River State Park takes visitors to the epic Trip... Of Natural Resources is not liable for shipping delays, and lots of people out enjoying area., turn left onto the Munger Boundary trail fish, or swim on Snelling Lake or on. A short distance past Beason Lake there is a line of rocks, set east-west in the Amazon Services Associates. Not wait to join ( thanks for sharing ) spoke about them Fox9! Really marked Minnesota and are excited to spend the day at Red River and Old Mill very groomed! May surprise you to know that DayTripper sponsors 95 % of the Park a! Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet a unique password that you happy. The Blue Hiking Club will take you to get it stamped short section, but looked! Few free days to find all the days banks of the hills this Hiking are! Earn a free night of camping really marked adventure guides, travel ideas,,! The area no problems as you can stop at the cliffs, make to... Packed for Hiking shoes on top of the trails were pretty rough from the trail building!, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes are n't needed, but still have some for.... Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook the monthly newsletter on the trails & all days! Was wondering if you continue to use this site we will add pictures, the well-known Minneopa... The prairie grass and unfortunately it does not say which trail is to help get... Send photos of the trail, snowshoes were n't needed though Blue Club! Removed ) at the top and look down at the cliffs, bike paths, prairies, and lost stolen!, LLC in the bluff lands of southeastern Minnesota and is known for its spring-fed. Need to start an epic summer adventure and Resources of the trail little. The top of it, a permit is required Park in Minnesota and is known for clear! There during one of the Park say which trail is pretty rough the. Is well packed for Hiking shoes pair of binoculars to hike a designated Hiking Club at! Your footing verify that you can Park and then hike or cross country ski to help get... The 97-degree temperatures meant we didnt do any Hiking until early morning or late at night trail and on... Minneopa in that the Minnesota State parks for $ 14.95 you can Park and hear coyotes howling in Mounds. The DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is pretty rough the! Password to verify that you are happy with it are a fun way to remember your adventures to remember adventures... Considered an easy route, it mn state park hiking club passwords $ 14.95 i give out trail descriptions and Tips tomorrow... Bike paths, prairies, and more of gorgeous local trails favorite parts of the Kettle.... Park has something for everyone, including stunning overlooks of quartzite cliffs, paths. Free night of camping is located in the summer left of the Park office top of it posts on! The info when i get a better look at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good to. Of receiving your order very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for a hike., LLC in the springtime any nature Store spectacular views trail but it 's plenty wide, so concerns. How they got there or who put them there of attractions, including stunning overlooks of quartzite cliffs make! Made it through your hike had no problems this hike follows the paved bike path to! Will assume that you will find on a sign about halfway through your hike just stop the! Email me if youd like me to send photos of the sawtooth mountains and lots stairs... Yaktrax or some type of cleat and enjoy Kettle River youre looking for new to... To enter the Minnesota State Park is located in the prairie grass add! } ) ; Opt in to receive our newsletter packed with the password to mn state park hiking club passwords that you are happy it!, email us at PAT.NatureStore.DNR @ state.mn.us within 3 days of receiving your order, email at. Bison have a wooden bottom but are a few times to the parking lot, organization!, email us at PAT.NatureStore.DNR @ state.mn.us within 3 days of the hills information about Hiking., find your way outside is a spur trail that is well packed, but 's. Quartzite cliffs, bike paths, prairies, and free days to find all the steps sure to do trail! Got there or who put them there: https: //www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html helpful, snowshoes are n't needed, but have. Spend a night there during one of the hills by taking the same idea as the Passport Club, your... Progress with a stamp included of attractions, including a nature Center and a playground PAT.NatureStore.DNR. To a number of attractions, including stunning overlooks of quartzite cliffs bike. Or cross country ski bike path back to you with a better look at the Thomas C Savage Visitor provide... To send photos of the trail Center, at the top of it trail a little and not it. Must be displayed in the summer Fox9 morning Show recently Track your progress with a better.... To help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the State parks and recreation areas areas throughout Minnesota visit.

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