If you purchase a permit on June 1st this year, you have until June 30th of the following year to explore. Just like the Parks Passport Program, it costs $14.95. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Fromepic hikes around the worldto adventures closer to my home inMinnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! Lake Maria State Park46. 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. Enjoy this spot!!! The falls were amazing. If we havent convinced you to join yet, maybe you just need a little more information about the amazing hiking opportunities in Minnesota. So excited to explore some new trails. 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()} William OBrienState Park75. Nearby there are also sort trails that lead . The Hiking Club password sign at Franz Jevne State Park near Baudette, Minnesota. Well maintained and easy follow path. I took my 8 and 10 year old and they had a blast. The remainder of this hike follows the paved bike path back to the SaintCroix Lodge. Hill Annex Mine State Park32. So glad you like the video this was one of the first ones I ever made The passport is really encouraging me to get out and explore some lesser known parks, which right now also means no people, easier social distancing! BUT absolutely worth the effort, such a beautiful hike, I would do it again in the same conditions again. When you get to 25 parks, you receive a free night of camping. Parking for this hike is located between of Jordan and Belle Plaine at the Lawrence Unit Trail Center. Youre welcome to email me if youd like me to send photos of the list in my passport to compare to yours! BUT absolutely worth the effort, such a beautiful hike, I would do it again in the same conditions again. During the morning hours. Each Hiking Club trail has a unique password that you will find on a sign about halfway through your hike. The longest hiking club trails are 6.2 miles in length. Hiding near the Camping area of the park is a man-made dam, creating Upper Mound Lake. Great trail, relatively level, and a fantastic view at the end. Cross country skied this trail and it was well groomed except for a small part right along the river. From the trail, you can stop at the top and look down at the spectacular views. More information about the program can be found, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden + Bird Sanctuary. A daily MN State Park pass is only $7. 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! BanningState Park3. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need areason to go see them all! You basically hiked from Lake Superior to the Cities. See bison at Minneopa State Park and hear coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park? Pro Tip: To enter the Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas, a permit is required. Savanna PortageState Park64. But in her free time, she loves to hike and adventure with her dogs, Sasha and Glia. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. This gives you a good piece of mind that you are on the Hiking Club Trail and not some offshoot. Others, like the trail at Goerge H. Crosby-Manitou State Park, offer an alternate trail due to the strenuous nature of the hiking club trail. Hello,My Girlfriend and I are going to Grand Forks this weekend and we are going to check out Red River State Recreation Area. Most stamps hide in a box outside the parks main office window, near their map stash. There is a beautiful paved bike path from the picnic area, all the way to the entrance to the southernmost part of the park. Shortly before the one-mile mark the trail leaves the pond area begins its loop; stay to the left at the fork. 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. All the best! A short distance past Beason Lake there is a spur trail that can be taken to view the Minnesota River. All sales are final. Not skate ski friendly. If the trails are open but the visitor building isn't I don't see any reason people should be penalized in the meantime. Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. Perfectly packed down trails. But if you go to Grand Portage, hike past the hiking club trail. See Related: DIY Compression Stuff Sack for Camping. Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good introduction to the history and resources of the park area. The Hiking Club Trail (see the end of this article for information about the Hiking Club) at the. FrontenacState Park22. Beautiful hiking here today, very low crowds because of the Super Bowl and the temps were around 40 with no wind and sunshine. Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. It has been postponed during Covid. While the trail was good, it is not groomed with a track for classic cross country skiing. 9 4 Minnesota United States of America North America Place 4 comments Best Add a Comment Pro Tip: Finding the Hiking Club Passwords is a great motivator to get younger kids to start hiking. So what does Minnesota have to offer? InterstateState Park33. Banning State Park is one of my favorite state parks in Minnesota. Pro Tip: Visit any State Park during one of their free days. Lots of deer on the move and visible. Great views but a bit icy aonwear your Yaktraks. I recommend bringing a pair of binoculars to hike with as the Bison often dont go up against the fence. More information about the program can be found. During the summer months, the top of the cactus is topped with bright yellow flowers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. St. Croix State ParkState Park62. The Hiking Club is such a neat Minnesotan thing - I'm glad that you're doing it with your family! This ended up being beneficial because the downed trees/limbs required frequent high stepping, crouching, weaving and variations of a squat-walk. Questions? A brief review of this park is included in our 5 Great Dog-Friendly State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota post. Highly recommend poles with yaktraks too. Would recommend crampons or snowshoes. MinneopaState Park52. Yesss! I was tempted to rock hop to the other side but didnt completely trust my footwear. Out to the falls and back only. Canoe, fish, or swim on Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. More information about the program can be found here. Grand Portage State Park28. WhitewaterState Park73. The trail follows a creek and larger backwater pond. Thanks again! 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. Just stop by the park office to get it stamped. Yaktraks are a must!! I intended to snowshoe the trail but it looked to have a decently packed path already so I went with boots and gators. Half on snowmobile trail, half ungroomed. 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.. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area53. Stairs are iced over, but still have some spots for you to get your footing. The mystery still lingers about how they got there or who put them there. For $14.95 you can be a part of this too. After completing the loop head back to the tailhead the way you came. Charles A. LindberghState Park13. The trails are flat and well maintained. Ill need to hit this one again soon. Views were beautiful but very icy on the trails & all the steps. Write the password in your Hiking Club book, along with the park name and the distance you hiked. Warm & gorgeous for. Well packed for just hiking boots. For more information on our privacy policy, please visit our Privacy Policy Page. There are about 80 bison that live on the prairie, with another 20-30 bison born each year. Lake CarlosState Park44. Thanks for the great writeups, Elly. 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. Not too bad. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Complete all parks and youll get another night of camping in MN State Parks and a customized Passport Club plaque to commemorate your experience. CamdenState Park10. 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 . Well packed, but icy in some places, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes aren't needed though. Very informative. Trail was packed down of snow but a mile and half in it was soft and trudging . 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. Lake BronsonState Park43. Blue Mounds State Park is one of a few that have Tipis for guests. They have a good idea of the best viewing spots. Ready to start collecting stamps? A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. After visiting 25 parks, you earn a free night of camping and a pin. By the end of the year, we may have a few more patches, well see. 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. The Minnesota State Park's Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. We first visited the rock after arriving early for our night at the park. A couple of river crossings. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. Of my adventures, there are a few that are especially memorable. Good hike with views of the sawtooth mountains and lots of stairs for a shorter hike. Disclaimer Notice: This website contains some general medical and behavior modification information for dogs. Required fields are marked *. Luckily the trail was relatively flat and soon we emerged on the heavier use portion of the hiking club trail. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Thanks! The hiking is 24.4 miles alone! function ml_webform_success_2607320(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2607320 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2607320 .row-form").hide()} Trail was good soft snow in some areas with mostly hard packed trail the rest of the way. Once you get your passport, dont forget to bring it with you when you hit the trails! Good luck! There are several ups and downs- after a fall I carried my skis so as not to fall again (and reinjure my wrists). Once you turn to head back to the parking lot, the trail nears the banks of the Kettle River. If you are planning to visit for the day, expect to pay around $7. Some parts of the trails were pretty rough even with both. Nothing is worse than getting to the MN State Park only to find the office is closed. Fun trail with a great overview of the lake! I don't believe you hiked and drove all that in one day. Get your rewards. 2021Outdoor Project. From the SaintCroix Lodge follow the trail west past of the Paint Rock Springs Campground and the Old Logging Trail Campground. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. I took it a step further and identified the best amenities at each park. 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 cannot wait to do this trail in the summer! The Minnesota State Park's Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. We havent spent much time in Minnesota but Id like to check out the hiking trails there! Glacial Lakes State Park25. Hi! 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. They have GPS enabled maps that let you track your location as you hike. If the passport and travel log arent cool enough, how about some free stuff? Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle State Recreation Area34. At the southern end of the park, spanning 1,250 feet is a line of rocks, set east-west in the prairie grass. The hiking club trail offers beautiful views of the wild Kettle River. Its got so much to offer and, because its off of most peoples radar, you can enjoy more nature with less crowds. Then you need a MN State Parks Passport or are you part of the MN Hiking Club? I cannot believe how fast your energy reserves drain at those temperatures. Easy trail. Half of this was groomed. I think the next time I do it, it will be during a cooler month. Minnesota is one of the most underrated states for outdoor adventurers. Any other time and you are risking heatstroke. Perfectly packed down trails. When Glia and I visited on a warm winter day, the snow was slushy and wet and the first part of the trail was lightly trafficked. They are completely snowed over and itll be a lot of effort to climb back up. Beautiful trail! This trail is one of the few handicap accessible hiking club trails. description. Thank you so much! Part of the hike is through the river bottoms of the Minnesota River. This loop would have been very difficult to get through all of the snow if you didnt have snowshoes. But they have been spotted in the Twin Cities before. Manage Settings We really enjoyed it. Its such a steal. Thanks, Karen! Follow the trail 10.8 miles ending at MN-48, or continue on the full 25 miles of the trail. 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. It is a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. In the winter, the ice on the quarry walls look like frozen waterfalls. 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! Do you love to explore? On the first day of Spring and Fall, the sunrise aligns perfectly with these rocks. 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. Thank you so much for writing it! Or that you can go whitewater rafting at Jay Cooke State Park? Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. The trail is pretty rough from the early melt and freeze. Welcome toThis Big Wild Worldtravel blog! Its looking like that might be what my summer is all about at this point No complaints though! Blue Mounds State Park has a couple of areas for kids to play. Youll need Avenza Maps if you plan on hiking. 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. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 22 ftRoute type Loop. Then. 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). William O'Brien State Park Upper Park Trail. 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. As you travel to each park, stop by the main office and get your passport stamped. Bison, elk, wolves, and prairie chickens once roamed most of the park. I spent so much time going to different state parks last year, that I figure I might as well pick up the kits this year and earn patches and free camping. Beautiful trail. My name is Jenn. There are 75 in total. To get a better look at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry Loop Trail. However, as we complete each trail we will add pictures, our favorite parts of the trail, overall dog-friendliness, and more. cross country skiied yesterday. It was 20 degree. 2021Outdoor Project. Make sure to check out my newest guide on Enjoying the Hike Again. Happy trails! MN has some amazing State Parks. Fort Snelling State Park20. I didnt brave the stairs at the end however. The MN State DNR also offers a MN Hiking Club. Afton is included in our 5 Dog-Friendly MN State Park Hikes along the St. Croix River post. 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. Beautiful day, nice level trail, through the woods along the lake, and into open prairie. If you buy the annual pass, it must be displayed in the lower passenger side window in your vehicle. 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. TettegoucheState Park71. 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. Went out from the boat landing to the canoe in campsites for the first time ever. This path pretty much runs in parallel to the River Bluff Trail. Explore MN 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. Wore trax instead of snowshoes & was thankful for that. Great views today! In the far southwestern corner of the state, Blue Mounds State Park offers one of the longer hiking club trails. The other half was packed Down from snow shoes. This meant that the snow wasnt packed down well. The first is a playground near the picnic area. 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. Thanks for making such an awesome blog! I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. Wearing traction devices is recommended. The Hiking Club is based on the same idea as the Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook. Do you have any favorite spots? Split Rock CreekState Park68. Some trails are 1 mile and some are 6 miles, but they all are beautiful and well worth the exercise. It is a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. The next morning, around 7:30 we went back and could enjoy ourselves a little more. Easy hike out and back. Hello, fellow Minnesotan! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Nice walk through the woods around the park. This storm toppled thousands of trees, so most areas along the trail are now quite open. The hiking club trail at Blue Mounds State Park takes visitors to the top of the cliff line. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription. This is a list of all of Minnesota's State Park Hiking Club trails. Frontenac State Park is a great place for a day of recreation. Another western Minnesota State Park, the hiking club trail at Buffalo River State Park provides both riverside and prairie hiking. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. This is a list of all of Minnesota's State Park Hiking Club trails. After 12-16 inches of snow this week, snowshoes were needed. This as my daughter would put it, is a lame swing set. I appreciate it!Seven in ONE DAY? Camping costs anywhere from $25-35 a night. I would have LOVED that as a kid. That was until we found that Natural Play Area. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Beginning at the Trail Center, at the five corners intersection, turn left onto the Munger Boundary Trail. We have a similar park passport system in Massachusetts and its great. Way better sites then I was expecting even stocked with wood. If you arent completely sold, just take a look at what the place looks like at sunset. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. From the trail, you can stop at the top and look down at the spectacular views. }); Do you identify as a female and blog about the outdoors? Check them out. You should check it out: http://banjosandbogs.blogspot.com/. Thank you so much! Ended up turning around . We had some ce cleats on and had no problems. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! A Hiking Club kit can be purchased . Finding the trail head was a little difficult. Thankfully we had a full day to explore some of the trails in the park. Ive got them broken out by distance from Minneapolis. But you can purchase your Hiking Club book at any Nature Store. 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. That is why I was so excited when I got gifted a MN State Park Passport this past holiday season. We were the first ones on the trail, but we passed a number of other people, so the trail is getting nicely packed. Did you download your free Blue Mounds State Park Map yet from Avenza? Red River was interesting, but fun. I took full advantage of that considering how long the trail is. They are well labeled and hard to miss. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Officially black bears stay in the Northern Coniferous Forests of northern MN. Some debris on the back part of the loop furthest from the river, but easily navigable. The falls in the town of Sandstone is also lovely and typically there are very few other hikers at that location. Beautiful trail, double tracked and well groomed all the way around the island, especially considering the warmer weather recently. Minimal dirt and sticks on the track, but it was a bit icy. We really appreciate it! Does anyone know what it is? :). Rolling hills and not very challenging landscape. Are you the type of hikers that like to explore a variety of trails? You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. It's great to hear that people are still enjoying this! This is such a cool idea! Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. I would love to bring my bike and explore some of the back trails. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Besides the passport, you will also receive a travel log giving you the opportunity to document some of your favorite parts of the parks. I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. As its name suggests, the River Bluff Trail runs along the top of the bluff above the SaintCroix River. These were epic. 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. Required fields are marked *. Be sure to ask the park staff for their tips on the best trails while youre getting your passport stamped. 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. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Thats why Ive developed a tracking spreadsheet that includes all the different MN State Parks. Hiking Club Password Sign - Banning State Park, Minnesota, https://flickr.com/photos/87296837@N00/34340927883, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.8 (Macintosh), https://www.flickr.com/people/87296837@N00, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic, https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/34340927883/, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hiking_Club_Password_Sign_-_Banning_State_Park,_Minnesota_(34340927883).jpg&oldid=492361545, United States photographs taken on 2017-06-04, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Flash did not fire, compulsory flash suppression. Beautiful trail! Trail was packed down well. You can also try and spot them at the Bison Observation Tower near the park campground. The Hiking Club is run by the Minnesota DNR, the organization that manages the state parks and recreation areas. Beautiful hike around the bluffs under a fresh blanket of snow. Update your log. SibleyState Park67. What is the MN State Parks Passport Club? 37 degrees & sunny. Only hiking club trail miles count. SchoolcraftState Park66. To get a better look at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry Loop Trail. Its a game-changer! Information on this website should not replace advice from your dog's veterinarian or behaviorist. Well packed trail, snowshoes weren't needed, but you'll want traction/spikes, as there are some slippery slopes. Its extremely relaxing to me. Do you and your dog love to hike? I looked at the map supplied by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is the Hiking Club Trail. Miles:6.2 milesDifficulty:Easy but longTotal Miles Hiked:105.1 miles. . The landscape was beautiful even in the winter. If you go, bring plenty of water, keep an eye on the weather conditions and have some fun! Try this 1.1-mile loop trail near Sunburg, Minnesota. As you can see from these pictures, the trail goes right along the river. The warming house is marvelous with a nice stove (buy and bring local wood) with windows to enjoy the outdoors with plus games, a sink and a microwave (and nice bathrooms). Thanks! Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). well packed. Beautiful views of the forest and river. There are benches to stop and sit and have a snack. I get excited every time I get a new stamp! Photos (107) Directions. I cant believe I didnt know about the passport club until recently either! The trail used to run through a heavily wooded area, but a devastating storm on July 1st, 2011 produced straight-line winds that topped 100 miles per hour. We also live in Minnesota and are huge fans of outdoor adventures. Thats awesome! 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. $35 for a whole year of gorgeous local trails? The password signs can be located anywhere along the hiking club trail. Nice level trail, well packed, but spikes are probably still a good idea. Related content to read next: Find even more Minnesota travel destinations and tips on my Minnesota travel page. Youll go past waterfalls, through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, and maybe even spot wildlife.

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