Minnesota State Parks and Trails

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Minnesota State Parks and Trails Welcome to the official Minnesota State Parks and Trails page. Share/like ≠ endorse. You are fully responsible for everything that you post.

This page is intended to be a place where fans of Minnesota State Parks and Trails can share their information and experiences about Minnesota State Parks and Trails, both with us and with each other. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (MnDNR’s) official social media accounts are limited public forums. The purpose is to provide information about MnDNR and the services we provide. Our online sites are governed by the general rules of respectful civil discourse. We encourage you to engage with us by submitting comments and questions related to MnDNR and by sharing MnDNR’s information with your network. MnDNR staff monitor the social media accounts during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MnDNR social media accounts are not to be relied upon for park or trail emergencies. For emergencies, please call 911. MnDNR’s Social Media Community Rules provide guidelines for engagement for people who choose to communicate on MnDNR’s official social media platforms. We do not allow content that:

• is off-topic;
• is obscene, sexually explicit, defamatory, threatening, or directed at any legally protected class of persons under federal and state laws;
• contains personally identifiable information, including, but not limited to home address or phone number;
• contains solicitations, advertisements, or spam (including items posted repeatedly). This includes promotion or endorsement of any non-state government entity or any advertisement of a business or product;
• promotes or opposes any person campaigning for election to a political office;
• incites or promotes violence or encourages illegal activity;
• contains information that reasonably could compromise individual or public safety; or
• infringes on copyrights or trademarks. By participating on a MnDNR social media account, you are agreeing to abide by our rules. We reserve the right to ignore, hide or delete comments that violate these rules. These rules are subject to amendment or modification at any time. Repeated violation of these rules may result in the author being blocked from MnDNR’s social media accounts. If you have questions or concerns about the social media community rules, contact pat.socialmedia .mn.us.

Last call for submissions to our license plate design contest!  Make sure you submit your designs to the portal before t...
10/30/2026

Last call for submissions to our license plate design contest!

Make sure you submit your designs to the portal before tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 31 at 5 pm. Head to mndnr.gov/parksplate/contest to submit your designs.

Only designs submitted through this portal will be counted.

Best of luck, Minnesota!

October is almost over, but weekend adventures have only just begun! State park explorers are enjoying the beautiful wea...
10/30/2026

October is almost over, but weekend adventures have only just begun!

State park explorers are enjoying the beautiful weather and late autumn scenery. Take inspiration from these photos to plan your next adventure!

📷 mndnr.gov/sharephotos

All good things must come to an end 🍁🍂 We’ve really enjoyed another fall season with all of you! While this is the last ...
10/29/2026

All good things must come to an end 🍁🍂

We’ve really enjoyed another fall season with all of you! While this is the last Fall Color Finder map, fall is far from over. We hope you continue to find autumn adventure wherever you are!

🗺️ mndnr.gov/fallcolors

We all have a story to tell—and we want to hear yours! What makes Minnesota state parks and trails special to you? Some ...
10/27/2026

We all have a story to tell—and we want to hear yours! What makes Minnesota state parks and trails special to you?

Some of the best memories happen outdoors. Share a fun, funny, heartwarming or sentimental story from your time in a Minnesota state park or along a state trail. Maybe it’s a family tradition, an unexpected wildlife encounter, a memorable first, or simply a moment you’ll never forget.

Sometimes, the confidence to try an outdoor activity comes from seeing others do it first. The stories you share may be featured in the Trailblazer newsletter, on Minnesota State Parks and Trails social media channels, or in other state parks and trails communications.

We can’t wait to hear the stories that make Minnesota’s state parks and trails special to you. Share your state park story today!

Submit your story here: https://mndnr.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7aJGGWBSg0Efo58

Attention visitors: Most of Banning State Park will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, Nov. 9 for exciting...
10/26/2026

Attention visitors: Most of Banning State Park will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, Nov. 9 for exciting infrastructure improvements and accessibility updates. The day-use area is planned to reopen in October 2027.

Annual visitation has tripled to Banning State Park since 2020. The planned construction projects will expand capacity to accommodate more visitors and improve your experience at the park. Among the exciting upgrades includes:

–Expansion of current parking lot and additional parking at one of the trail crossings.
–Improved accessibility, including accessible picnic areas, water spigots, vault toilets, and parking.
–Additionally, trails in the day-use area will also be updated for improved accessibility.

The park's campground will also be under construction during this time. Improvements include a new shower facility and upgrades to several campsites to meet accessibility requirements. The campground will be expected to reopen in May 2028.

The snowmobile trail in the park and the Eldon climbing area on the south side of the park will remain open.

Thank you in advance for your patience! Keep track of construction updates on our website: mndnr.gov/state-parks/banning-state-park-construction.html.

There's nowhere else we'd rather be right now 🤩🍂 State park explorers are still finding fall magic out on the trails! Le...
10/23/2026

There's nowhere else we'd rather be right now 🤩🍂

State park explorers are still finding fall magic out on the trails! Let their photos inspire your own adventure, and submit your own pics at mndnr.gov/sharephotos.

We love watching the season go by ❤️🧡💛 We're still seeing gorgeous color in Minnesota! Enjoy the late fall leaves wherev...
10/22/2026

We love watching the season go by ❤️🧡💛

We're still seeing gorgeous color in Minnesota! Enjoy the late fall leaves wherever you are this weekend.

🍁 mndnr.gov/fallcolors

The colors are popping at Great River Bluffs State Park in southeastern Minnesota! If you're chasing fall color, you'll ...
10/21/2026

The colors are popping at Great River Bluffs State Park in southeastern Minnesota!

If you're chasing fall color, you'll find gorgeous vistas along plenty of overlooks in this charming state park. You might even see eagles soaring overhead on the river valley. Enjoy the views of the Mississippi River as you trek up and down the iconic bluffs of this region.

Keep the adventure going in nearby Winona! Enjoy Bloedow Bakery for an after-trail treat, or fuel up before your hike at Blue Heron Coffeehouse or Nosh Scratch Kitchn.

Follow Minnesota State Parks and Trails and Explore Minnesota to see where you should be going for fall colors this season!

Make sure you follow us for more inspiration on where to explore the state!

Know before you go!  🔶🦌Special hunts in state parks are happening throughout the rest of October and November, so make s...
10/20/2026

Know before you go! 🔶🦌

Special hunts in state parks are happening throughout the rest of October and November, so make sure you're prepared! Many state parks and recreation areas will either be closed or limit public access during the weekends, so check park visitor alerts before you head out.

Keep in mind these safety tips for visiting a state park during a hunt:

🔶 Wear blaze orange or pink, even if you aren’t hunting. Don’t forget a blaze item for your furry friend too.
✅ Check with the park office when you arrive, to see if there is any additional hunt-related information.
⚠ Watch for and follow any hunt-related signage in the park.

All special hunts for the season are listed on our website: mndnr.gov/parkhunts

Looking for inspiration for your license plate design? State parks are represented on license plates across the country!...
10/19/2026

Looking for inspiration for your license plate design?

State parks are represented on license plates across the country! Take a look at a few state park designs from other states and let them inspire your own for our specialty license plate design contest.

We are still accepting design submissions until the end of October. Here’s a reminder of some key contest details:

📅 We are currently accepting design submissions through Oct 31, 2026.
🪨 Designs must celebrate the North Shore and the Lake Superior agate, as determined by the Minnesota Legislature in 2026.
🛶 You can also incorporate iconic locations, scenery or recreational activities into your design that capture the essence of Minnesota state parks and trails.
🚫 All designs must be created without the use of artificial intelligence, as determined by the Minnesota Legislature.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to all Minnesota residents. One person may submit multiple entries.

We encourage you to go to our website to read the full contest rules: mndnr.gov/parksplate/contest

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Lafayette, LA
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