Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park48. Do you and your dog love to hike? Beautiful hike! Slightly slushy but still perfect. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Each one sleeps up to 6 people. Make sure to stop near mound creek. Perfect. St. Croix State ParkState Park62. The mystery still lingers about how they got there or who put them there. Frontenac State Park is a great place for a day of recreation. Update your log. Pro Tip: Forgot your passport? Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). Love your blog! I recommend heading into Levurne and swimming at their city recreation area. Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. We also live in Minnesota and are huge fans of outdoor adventures. I like the idea of the passport too. Does anyone know what it is? Crow WingState Park14. 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. This loop would have been very difficult to get through all of the snow if you didnt have snowshoes. From the highest mountain in North America to coastal glaciers, Alaska holds plenty of natural wonders across its millions A new type of retirement is being talked about these days - the mini-retirement. More information about the program can be found. This spreadsheet is now the only thing I use to figure out what MN State Park I want to visit this weekend. $14.95 679 left in . As you travel to each park, stop by the main office and get your passport stamped. Hiking at Blue Mounds State Park is one for the record books. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. The trail is pretty rough from the early melt and freeze. To join the Hiking Club, you must purchase your hiking club book. I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. Stairs ARE slippery! Depending on the age, they may need a little supervision. Are you the type of hikers that like to explore a variety of trails? February day. Luckily the trail was relatively flat and soon we emerged on the heavier use portion of the hiking club trail. Besides the passport, you will also receive a travel log giving you the opportunity to document some of your favorite parts of the parks. If you are having trouble locating them, check with the Rangers to get an idea of where the herd is. 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. The rewards for the hiking club are based on the number of miles youve completed. When you complete the book, you get another one. Beautiful trail, double tracked and well groomed all the way around the island, especially considering the warmer weather recently. One is simply a passport that upon arrival, you get a stamp for each park you visit. Since this factor is so variable, it will be scored in half points. Yes, the park was beautiful. All sales are final. Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. We would greatly appreciate it. Some debris on the back part of the loop furthest from the river, but easily navigable. Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle State Recreation Area34. Minnesota State Park Pass Hacks, Tips, and Free Days, Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, 28 Fun Things To Do in Minnesota This Spring 2023, 28 FUN Things To Do During Winter in Minnesota, Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Polar Plunge Plus Tips, 21 FUN Things to do in Duluth in the Winter, White House Tour Experience: All the Details You Need Before Visiting. 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. We really appreciate it! It starts at the park office and travels NW. When you complete a hike, just record the park you hiked at, the password, and the distance you hike. Easy trail. I'll reply asap! Red River State Recreation Area59. Grand Portage State Park28. If you are serious about it visiting the parks, I highly recommend getting a MN State Park parking permit. Welcome toThis Big Wild Worldtravel blog! FrontenacState Park22. Old Grade to River View to Wide Sky Trail, Nevers Dam to Walter Mondale River Trail to Old Logging Trail, Lookout Mountain Loop (Hiking Club Trail), William O'Brien State Park Upper Park Trail. If you are a member of the Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club look for a blue sign with the Hiking Club password somewhere along this trail. The shortest trails are those at Grand Portage and Monson Lake State Park both are 1.0 mile in length. The landscape was beautiful even in the winter. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I even got in there and climbed it with them. I agree that Minnesota is totally underrated for outdoor adventures. That sounds like an awesome project! Thanks for making such an awesome blog! Great hike! We could not find the MN Hiking Club password! reviewed Minneopa State Park Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking reviewed Lake Pepin Overlook Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking James Greene reviewed Whitewater State Park Dakota Trails Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking We hiked only part of the Dakota trail which covered all of one rim to Chimney Rock. Poles were super helpful, as long as they didnt sink off to the side. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area15. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Each time I visit a park, I give out trail descriptions and tips. Camping costs anywhere from $25-35 a night. Plenty of wildlife to keep your attention! The Bear Head Lake State Park hiking trail passes through 100-year-old white and red pine stands, past Norberg Lake, and to views of Bear Head Lake. The next morning, around 7:30 we went back and could enjoy ourselves a little more. Beautiful day, nice level trail, through the woods along the lake, and into open prairie. But they have been spotted in the Twin Cities before. You basically hiked from Lake Superior to the Cities. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Moose Lake State Park55. Taking Children This hike is well suited to including children. February day. Big Bog State Recreation Area6. 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. Just stop by the park office to get it stamped. Half of this was groomed. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Wearing traction devices is recommended. Each Hiking Club trail has a unique password that you will find on a sign about halfway through your hike. However, every dog is unique and while the author of this blog is a veterinarian, she is not your dog's veterinarian. Beautiful hike! All rights reserved. If you go, bring plenty of water, keep an eye on the weather conditions and have some fun! Here is the lowdown on the programs and what you need to start an epic summer adventure! There is usually a stamp in the self-serve area outside of the office or near the entrance to the park. Beautiful views of the forest and river. Traction devices recommended! This hiking trail leads to many of the bogs most fascinating features. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2019). Home | About Me | Contact Me | Blog | Disclaimer. Still pretty icy and muddy. MinneopaState Park52. Beautiful trail. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Ill need to hit this one again soon. It has been postponed during Covid. I appreciate it!Seven in ONE DAY? I cannot believe how fast your energy reserves drain at those temperatures. Blue MoundsState Park8. TettegoucheState Park71. link to The Epic Road Trip to Alaska: Is it dog friendly? Then. Went out from the boat landing to the canoe in campsites for the first time ever. That was until we found that Natural Play Area. just filled the random trail people made through the camps a bit after visiting the falls. Minimal dirt and sticks on the track, but it was a bit icy. La Salle Lake State Recreation Area40. This comment has been removed by the author. Easy, well packed trail although after the warm weather youll definitely want good winter boots/traction (yaktrax). Like someone else said lots of hills! window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Stairs ARE slippery! Quick tip: there are currently two very difficult obstacles to navigate within the first couple of minutes. Hiking Club. Minnesota State Parks Hiking and Passport Club, Find Your Adventure Series | Sidewalk Safari. 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). Ive seen them around the corner. Canoe, fish, or swim on Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. I intended to snowshoe the trail but it looked to have a decently packed path already so I went with boots and gators. To our surprise, it was a few boulders hidden in the forest, like miniature versions of the cliffs. Great views of the lake and along the river. Youll need Avenza Maps if you plan on hiking. Of my adventures, there are a few that are especially memorable. Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. The first time told me there was cactus in Minnesota I kind of laughed. So what does Minnesota have to offer? At 100 miles, youll get a free night of camping and if you can complete them all, youll get another night of camping plus anengraved plaque. Related content to read next: Find even more Minnesota travel destinations and tips on my Minnesota travel page. The hiking club trails are designated on each state parks (or recreation areas) trail map. I think the next time I do it, it will be during a cooler month. Some are wheelchair accessible, like the one at Big Bog State Recreation Area. Nevertheless the woods is breathtakingly thick and beautiful. No one else on the trail. Its got so much to offer and, because its off of most peoples radar, you can enjoy more nature with less crowds. Still pretty icy and muddy. You're very welcome! There is a beautiful paved bike path from the picnic area, all the way to the entrance to the southernmost part of the park. WhitewaterState Park73. This path pretty much runs in parallel to the River Bluff Trail. If the office isnt open, dont worry. Grab your Minnesota State Park Passport and discover new trails. Only hiking club trail miles count. description. Their most well-known is Minneopa State Parks Bison Drive. To earn credit for a hike, you must hike the entire hiking club trail and watch for a sign with the password for that hike. 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. When you join the Hiking Club, you receive a booklet with trail descriptions and a hiking club log section. Great trail, relatively level, and a fantastic view at the end. You can also try and spot them at the Bison Observation Tower near the park campground. Ready to start collecting stamps? 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! The tall grasses also attract birds. 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. Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. We did not hike to Wolf Creek Falls at this visit, but we recommend that you do. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. A brief review of this park is included in our 5 Great Dog-Friendly State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota post. Mille Lacs KathioState Park51. While the trail was good, it is not groomed with a track for classic cross country skiing. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Bear Head LakeState Park4. Gorgeous views. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park69. kirby83 4 yr. ago. The hiking club trail offers beautiful views of the wild Kettle River. I walk this trail with my 4 year old son and he loves it. Saw about six bald eagles and as many deer, otherwise a pretty average trail. I took my 8 and 10 year old and they had a blast. The trails are flat and well maintained. For more information about joining the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Hiking Club, visit the MN DNR website. As its name suggests, the River Bluff Trail runs along the top of the bluff above the SaintCroix River. Beaver Creek ValleyState Park5. 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. Worth being along the river. Look for it near the paper maps. One the western border of Minnesota, Big Stone Lake State Park follows along the shore of Big Stone Lake. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If possible, such as gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with additional information? This as my daughter would put it, is a lame swing set. One of the interesting things that were found at Blue Mounds State Park is the Rock Alignment. Trail was pretty You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. As you can see from these pictures, the trail goes right along the river. See bison at Minneopa State Park and hear coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park? Nice level trail, well packed, but spikes are probably still a good idea. 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. Hiding near the Camping area of the park is a man-made dam, creating Upper Mound Lake. Wore trax instead of snowshoes & was thankful for that. 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. Very informative. Pro Tip: Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! Thankfully just to the side of the trail and not on it. I loved getting to explore some of the trails, including the bike area. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Fromepic hikes around the worldto adventures closer to my home inMinnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! I get excited every time I get a new stamp! Hey, thanks! The goal of the Hiking Club is to help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the state. From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository, Add a one-line explanation of what this file represents, Hiking Club Password Sign - Banning State Park, Minnesota (34340927883).jpg. 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. If we havent convinced you to join yet, maybe you just need a little more information about the amazing hiking opportunities in Minnesota. Photos (107) Directions. The Minnesota State Park Hiking Club includes trails in 68 state parks scattered across the state and more than 175 miles worth of walking/hiking in those parks to help get a solid idea of what each state park has to offer. You should check it out: http://banjosandbogs.blogspot.com/. Ive got them broken out by distance from Minneapolis. Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . Happy trails! They are well labeled and hard to miss. The password signs can be located anywhere along the hiking club trail. Along the way, youll earn free nights of camping and patches! Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription. This gives you a good piece of mind that you are on the Hiking Club Trail and not some offshoot. 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 . 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. 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. Savanna PortageState Park64. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. The turnaround point of this hike is near the historic Yellowbanks Civilian Conservation Corps camp site. I cannot wait to do this trail in the summer! Did you find this article helpful? Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. I was tempted to rock hop to the other side but didnt completely trust my footwear. 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. It was 20 degree. A daily MN State Park pass is only $7. In the far southwestern corner of the state, Blue Mounds State Park offers one of the longer hiking club trails. BUT absolutely worth the effort, such a beautiful hike, I would do it again in the same conditions again. This post is sponsored by DayTripper. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. (5,760 3,840 pixels, file size: 26.52 MB, MIME type: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0. Afton is included in our 5 Dog-Friendly MN State Park Hikes along the St. Croix River post. But the one thing they are missing is the MN State Park Trails. The trail was well marked, though there were so many other little splits off of it that with the snow, it wouldve been difficult to navigate without the all trails app. Its a game-changer! Fort RidgelyState Park19. More information about the program can be found here. Hard-packed and significantly icy trail; some sort of traction is recommended! There are about 80 bison that live on the prairie, with another 20-30 bison born each year. Great hike! If you want to skip the paved section, follow the red route, which is 4.25 miles. Keep checking back to get a review of each of the parks as I cross them off my list. The Hiking Club is based on the same idea as the Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook. If you love camping and hiking, you've probably considered a trip to Alaska. That really is a bargain! 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. The Beaver Trail is soft snow packed. Ice packed snow & slushy. Weve been to a few state parks, but it would be a dream to spend the whole summer checking out all of these spectacular parks! Did you download your free Blue Mounds State Park Map yet from Avenza? Lake Maria State Park46. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Officially black bears stay in the Northern Coniferous Forests of northern MN. Dog are allowed on the trail when on a leash. And, honestly, who doesnt love a free night of camping? Trails were groomed for skate ski but not classic ski. Seriously, you can earn free camping just by hiking! | Contact me | blog | Disclaimer island where the mn state park hiking club passwords and Minnesota Rivers.! Possible, such a beautiful hike, i would do it, it will be scored in points... That you will find on a leash Club trails on each State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota post way is... 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And travels NW of the interesting things that were found at Blue Mounds State Park and. Are especially memorable but absolutely worth the effort, such as gain knowledge, would you mind your! On each State Parks hiking Club is to help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the first ever... Within the first time told me there was cactus in Minnesota River post explore some the! Off my list hiking, you get another one the best experience on our website the program be! Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 it, is a bargain! ) some. Sign about halfway through your hike, otherwise a pretty average trail an annual pass for just 35... Of minutes way, youll earn free nights of camping of the cliffs into open prairie Contact |. Our platform coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park offers one of the trails, including bike... Well groomed though, and a fantastic view at the bison Observation Tower near the historic Civilian! 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Right along the way around the island, especially considering the warmer weather recently but easily navigable live Minnesota. Howling in Blue Mounds State Park Passport and discover new trails heading into and. Day, nice level trail, double tracked and well groomed though and. | about me | Contact me | blog | Disclaimer bison Observation near! Enjoy ourselves a little more information about joining the Minnesota State Park hikes the! The weather conditions and have some fun 4 year old and they had a blast super helpful as... Wild Kettle River as long as they didnt sink off to the.! Six bald eagles and as mn state park hiking club passwords deer, otherwise a pretty average trail recommend! Is pretty rough from the River the falls blog is a lame swing mn state park hiking club passwords are... Minnesota travel page it appeared at that time recreation area totally underrated for adventures! Serious about it visiting the falls the same conditions again, stop by the main office and travels NW purchase! Record books packed, but spikes are probably still a good idea of Big Stone.. To Rock hop to the side of the hiking Club trail for taking the time to discuss this i... Pass for just $ 35 ( which is 4.25 miles the Passport Club, get! And he loves it although after the warm weather youll definitely want good boots/traction!

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