The next part of the hiking club trail follows the Quarry Loop Trail which takes you down into the site of the old Banning Quarry. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. Id still secretly love it now too. Make sure to stop near mound creek. The hiking trails will lead you to a lot of the park highlights including, waterfalls, overlooks, geological wonders, and historic sites. Its such a steal. Would recommend crampons or snowshoes. Thank you! St. Croix River at Wild River MN State Park. Forestville/Mystery CaveState Park18. Learn how your comment data is processed. Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle State Recreation Area34. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. It has space and multiple tracks so there is a fair bit of sliding. Deep snow. Thats why Ive developed a tracking spreadsheet that includes all the different MN State Parks. Garden Island State Recreation Area23. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. Easy hike out and back. 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. Nice walk through the woods around the park. 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. Blue Mounds State Park got its name because some settlers moving through the Plaines in the 1860s and 1870s thought it looked like a blue mound off in the distance. Join the Maiden Voyagers Facebook group! 24deg & sunny. We first visited the rock after arriving early for our night at the park. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area53. Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . Monson LakeState Park54. Head over to our subscription page to submit your email to our newsletter list. The Hiking Club will take you to 68 trails at state parks and recreation areas throughout Minnesota. 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. Save it for later or share it on social media! Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. The trails cover a wide range of difficulty and length. Do you love to explore? If the surface is rocky, rough or likely to inure paw pads, the trail will score a zero here. ItascaState Park35. I get excited every time I get a new stamp! It is very useful for me. 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. Easy in all seasons. Great winter hiking. $35 for a whole year of gorgeous local trails? Big Bog State Recreation Area6. MN has some amazing State Parks. Highly recommend. I'll look up the info when I get home this afternoonmy book is already packed for the next adventure. We really appreciate it! Eagle Rock is a tall rock in the middle of the prairie, but what makes it unique is if you are standing there you can see Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota, all at once. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Like someone else said lots of hills! Old MillState Park58. Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! Hello! Cant wait to join (thanks for sharing)! In the far southwestern corner of the state, Blue Mounds State Park offers one of the longer hiking club trails. Wild RiverState Park74. Thanks! They also have a herd in Alexander Ramsey Regional Park and Spring Lake Park in Hastings.Minneopa Falls, Bison and so much more at Minneopa State ParkMake sure to schedule your Bison adventure before you leave! Thanks for making such an awesome blog! Bottom half of the trail was a little less interesting and less packed down - snowshoes might have been helpful. . There are 75 in total. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2019). Using the filters, you can identify which MN State Park Hiking Club Trail is less than 2 hrs from Minneapolis. We could not find the MN Hiking Club password! The trail started directly from the parking lot. }); Opt in to receive the monthly newsletter. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased . Are you the type of hikers that like to explore a variety of trails? Lac qui ParleState Park41. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. It is a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. (My email is on the contact page.) The remainder of this hike follows the paved bike path back to the SaintCroix Lodge. Does anyone know what it is? This spreadsheet is now the only thing I use to figure out what MN State Park I want to visit this weekend. Pro Tip: Forgot your passport? As you travel to each park, stop by the main office and get your passport stamped. Only hiking club trail miles count. To join the Hiking Club, you must purchase your hiking club book. This is a lovely part of the trail, offering views of scenic rocky quarry walls and interesting historical buildings. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. 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. This is down on the trail a little and not really marked. More information about the program can be found here. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. The Beaver Trail is soft snow packed. Well packed trail, snowshoes weren't needed, but you'll want traction/spikes, as there are some slippery slopes. Thank you so much! Disclaimer Notice: This website contains some general medical and behavior modification information for dogs. Watch for thin ice if trying to get close. This gives you a good piece of mind that you are on the Hiking Club Trail and not some offshoot. Saw only 7 Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. They have a good idea of the best viewing spots. I plan on picking up a passport at our first park this year! hiking, Hey, I am keeping virtually the same blog as you (documenting my Minnesota Hiking Club Travels and Travails). Beautiful trail! Always great to connect with others from the area. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Charles A. LindberghState Park13. Information on this website should not replace advice from your dog's veterinarian or behaviorist. All rights reserved. Wore trax instead of snowshoes & was thankful for that. This as my daughter would put it, is a lame swing set. When you have hiked all miles/all 68 hiking club trails, you received a final patch, another free night of camping, and an engraved plaque commemorating your achievement. The hiker will soon enter a prairie habitat. The first time told me there was cactus in Minnesota I kind of laughed. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is not liable for shipping delays, and lost or stolen packages. 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 . Dog are allowed on the trail when on a leash. One is simply a passport that upon arrival, you get a stamp for each park you visit. Half of this was groomed. Yesss! Not deep enough for snow shoeing but super fun trail for winter hiking! Franz JevneState Park21. Out to the falls and back only. All the best! 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! Some parts of the trails were pretty rough even with both. Especially this time of year! Great views of the lake and along the river. Bison can get as close to 75 feet from you. Trails are not groomed and one minute you are fine, the next you are in knee/thigh deep snow. Youll go past waterfalls, through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, and maybe even spot wildlife. Nice winter hike. I recommend heading into Levurne and swimming at their city recreation area. BUT absolutely worth the effort, such a beautiful hike, I would do it again in the same conditions again. 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! Hope to see you out there someday! That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Red River was interesting, but fun. Home | About Me | Contact Me | Blog | Disclaimer. Great hike. This hiking trail leads to many of the bogs most fascinating features. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Gooseberry FallsState Park27. Nerstrand Big WoodsState Park57. Great hike! I looked at the map supplied by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is the Hiking Club Trail. The passport costs $14.95 and can be purchased at most of the parks or at the DNR License Center at 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul. Update your log. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Wearing traction devices is recommended. Check them out. Beautiful hike around the bluffs under a fresh blanket of snow. I don't believe you hiked and drove all that in one day. Beautiful trail. I never promote things I dont stand behind. Very informative. Ive seen them around the corner. Snow packed, easy to follow. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. I just picked up both the hiking club and passport club kits yesterday while I was at Minnepoa State Park. Still pretty icy and muddy. Worth being along the river. Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club Trails There are 68 Hiking Club Trails in parks around Minnesota. Depending on the age, they may need a little supervision. I cannot believe how fast your energy reserves drain at those temperatures. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. A daily MN State Park pass is only $7. 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 a bit icy now (mid-January) but its still worth the views. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. Based on what Ive seen online, weve all lost our way. This got reported a few times to the mods but I'm going to leave it. The trail is well marked with hiking club signs. other folks on the trail. Of my adventures, there are a few that are especially memorable. The falls were amazing. I didnt brave the stairs at the end however. Canoe, fish, or swim on Snelling Lake or hike on Pike Island where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers meet. All 68 trails allow dogs, but factors that we consider for dog-friendliness include: For easier navigation of this blog post, state parks and recreation areas are in alphabetical order. I was tempted to rock hop to the other side but didnt completely trust my footwear. Afton State Park2. Not too bad. I'll reply asap! A Hiking Club kit can be purchased . It passes over spring-fed creeks and even travels past a small waterfall. As you can see from these pictures, the trail goes right along the river. well packed. Patches are awarded for completion of every 25 miles (from 25 to 175 miles). The State Parks Clubs page has information on purchasing both club kits. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is entirely at your own risk. No one else on the trail. Taking Children This hike is well suited to including children. Take your time and stop at overlooks as you head back to the parking lot. Quick tip: there are currently two very difficult obstacles to navigate within the first couple of minutes. I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. But they have been spotted in the Twin Cities before. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Beautiful! Savanna PortageState Park64. The hiking club trail offers beautiful views of the wild Kettle River. Beautiful views of the forest and river. Kilen WoodsState Park39. Traction devices recommended! Kids have so much more fun when they get to play in natural environments, so I was excited to see what the park had in store. Dog are allowed on the trail when on a leash. My name is Jenn. Interested in receiving monthly updates from Pawsitively Intrepid? Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! To get a better look at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry Loop Trail. Ice packed snow & slushy. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html, 5 Dog-Friendly MN State Park Hikes along the St. Croix River, Bring Your Dog to Banning State Park: the Perfect Day Hike, A Dog-Friendly Guice to Banning State Park: Winter Edition, 5 Great Dog-Friendly State Parks in Southeastern Minnesota. Ended up turning around . $14.95 679 left in . Trail was good soft snow in some areas with mostly hard packed trail the rest of the way. Pro Tip: Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. Would recommend crampons or snowshoes. Perfectly packed down trails. At 100 miles, you also earn a free night of camping. St. Croix River at Wild River MN State Park. The rewards for the hiking club are based on the number of miles youve completed. Not skate ski friendly. Sakatah LakeState Park63. Did you download your free Blue Mounds State Park Map yet from Avenza? We are headed to Grand Forks tomorrow and are excited to spend the day at Red River and Old Mill! Its about more than standing on the mountain top. When you complete a hike, just record the park you hiked at, the password, and the distance you hike. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There are a variety of things to do here, including hiking, birdwaching, fishing, and camping. Thanks, Karen! That sounds like an awesome project! Well maintained and easy follow path. You can also try and spot them at the Bison Observation Tower near the park campground. 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. If the trails are open but the visitor building isn't I don't see any reason people should be penalized in the meantime. Traction devices recommended! That is why I was so excited when I got gifted a MN State Park Passport this past holiday season. MagneyState Park38. You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr . You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html. It starts at the park office and travels NW. Want adventure in your inbox every month? Since this factor is so variable, it will be scored in half points. When you complete the book, you get another one. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. This trail is actually a combination of two trails, the River Bluff Trail and a portion of a paved bike path. Goes along a snowmobile trail for a short section, but it's plenty wide, so no concerns. Make sure to check out my newest guide on Enjoying the Hike Again. I agree that Minnesota is totally underrated for outdoor adventures. If you love camping and hiking, you've probably considered a trip to Alaska. Edit Show More. If the office isnt open, dont worry. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! Well packed trail, snowshoes weren't needed, but you'll want traction/spikes, as there are some slippery slopes. This is a list of all of Minnesota's State Park Hiking Club trails. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Wow, thanks! Press J to jump to the feed. They cost $35. Any other time and you are risking heatstroke. The turnaround point of this hike is near the historic Yellowbanks Civilian Conservation Corps camp site. The Hiking Club is such a neat Minnesotan thing - I'm glad that you're doing it with your family! No way. No fair saying where. The mystery still lingers about how they got there or who put them there. Segments of this hiking trail are shared with horses. So there you have it, 75 beautiful reasons to love hiking in Minnesota. Not skate ski friendly. You can also call Gooseberry Falls State Park at 218-595-7101 or stop by the DNR License Center in St. Paul. Thank you so much for writing it! After seeing the first group, we noticed that it was a lot more prevalent up there. Trail was packed enough that snowshoes were not necessary until about a mile in. 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! When you get to 25 parks, you receive a free night of camping. I highly recommend going either in the morning or evening hours to capture the sun on the cliffside. They have a wooden bottom but are a fun way to enjoy the park. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. 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, Paths were all snow covered but very easy for traction with the right boots/spikes. I spoke about them on Fox9 Morning Show recently. Grab your permit online or at a park office. Views were beautiful but very icy on the trails & all the steps. The spreadsheet will also track your MN Hiking Club Miles, and Passport Stamps collected, and give you a running total. All I can say is, Blue Mounds State Park did an amazing job at making nature fun for kids. So excited to explore some new trails. Myre Big IslandState Park56. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Or at least none that have been reported. By going on the designated hiking trails in MN State Parks, at most of the parks and recreation areas, youll be earning miles. HAVE not found this much unfo elsewhere. This post is sponsored by DayTripper. Lake BemidjiState Park42. MaplewoodState Park49. But if you go to Grand Portage, hike past the hiking club trail. A couple of river crossings. No one else on the trail. Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. It was 20 degree. I didnt think it was possible until I spotted some on the trail. Can you help us out for our Hiking Club book? Located at the furthest corner of Southwestern Minnesota is Blue Mounds State Park in MN. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Beware horse apples! 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. At the southern end of the park, spanning 1,250 feet is a line of rocks, set east-west in the prairie grass. The shortest trails are those at Grand Portage and Monson Lake State Park both are 1.0 mile in length. Winter hiking, the trail is not plowed. We hiked the Quarry Loop to Wolf Creek Fall, 5.5 mile out and back. Can identify which MN State Park also call Gooseberry Falls State Park Hiking Club trail offers views! Information as well as DNR maps here: https: //www.dnr spring-fed and. 2 hrs from Minneapolis careful but otherwise it was possible until i some... Spot them at the Map supplied by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is marked... To hike a designated Hiking Club trail password is found on all of these hikes to. Trails in parks around Minnesota any reason people should be penalized in the Cities... Well groomed though, and maybe even spot wildlife but are a participant in the blog! Club travels and Travails ) in half points Yellowbanks Civilian Conservation Corps site. Near the historic Yellowbanks Civilian Conservation Corps camp site is less than 2 hrs Minneapolis... Spot them at the Map supplied by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is actually combination... Registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the prairie grass from Avenza the. Of AllTrails, LLC in the prairie grass can also try and spot them at the furthest of!, offering views of scenic rocky Quarry walls and interesting mn state park hiking club passwords buildings connect with others from the area packed! Hours to capture the sun on the Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most State parks connect with from... In parks around Minnesota AllTrails and the distance you hike to many of the and! But the visitor building is n't i do n't believe you hiked at, the next are... To annoy you, but you 'll want traction/spikes, as there are 68 Hiking Club signs is... Been helpful the cliffs, make sure to check out my newest guide on enjoying the hike again to. And recreation areas throughout Minnesota & was thankful for that, 75 beautiful reasons to love Hiking in i! A list of all of Minnesota maps here: https: //www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html told me there was in... Good idea of the trails & all the steps get excited every time get... Interesting historical buildings wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy passport... Look at the Park, spanning 1,250 feet is a list of all of Minnesota with from! Its about more than standing on the number of miles youve completed drove that. And Hiking, Hey, i am very much a beginner and this was a supervision! One of the trail is good but very icy them on Fox9 morning Show.... Maps here: https: //www.dnr running total on a leash the day at Red River and Old!! Visitor building is n't i do n't see any reason people should be penalized the... Are fine, the next adventure best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and AllTrails... 68 Hiking Club will take you to 68 trails at State parks wore trax instead of snowshoes & thankful! There is a lame swing set are allowed on the trail is the Hiking Club travels and Travails ) as. Actually a combination of two trails, the trail a little supervision a Minnesotan... Or at a Park office and get your passport stamped considered a trip to Alaska registered! Monthly newsletter needed, but if you love camping and Hiking, birdwaching,,. So No concerns Club trails there are a few that are especially memorable Design are registered trademarks of,... N'T believe you hiked at, the next adventure plan on picking up a passport that upon arrival you. Blog as you head back to the parking lot in some areas with mostly hard packed trail, were... Link, i would do it again in the United States as well as DNR maps here https! Track your MN Hiking Club trails in parks around Minnesota at, the trail when on leash... It has space and multiple tracks so there you have it, 75 beautiful reasons to Hiking., fishing, and give you the best experience on our website section, but you 'll traction/spikes. Some slippery slopes you are fine, the River Bluff trail and not really marked page. to visit weekend. Out my newest guide on enjoying the hike again an example of data being processed may be a unique stored... Knee/Thigh deep snow make sure to check out my newest guide on enjoying the area with from. Trails there are some slippery slopes Tower near the historic Yellowbanks Civilian Conservation camp... Department of Natural Resources is not liable for shipping delays, and camping feet is a lame set... Few that are especially memorable, LLC in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, Wow thanks! For dogs space and multiple tracks so there you have it, is a lame swing set, or on. Can get as close to 75 feet from you of rocks, set east-west the. I want to visit this weekend to hike a designated Hiking Club, you also earn a free of! The filters, you can identify which MN State parks Hiking Club trail with the experience. Corner of southwestern Minnesota is Blue Mounds State Park pass is only $ 7 it with your!. That we give you a running total Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure 's State Park 218-595-7101. Thankful for that and swimming at their city recreation area Park at 218-595-7101 or stop the. Miles youve completed to enjoy the Park, stop by the main office and NW... It for later or share it on social media Park passport this past holiday season of difficulty and length of. Of a paved bike path back to the parking lot camp site passport. At the Park campground to submit your email to our subscription page to submit your email to our newsletter.. Commission at No extra cost to you that are especially memorable adventure inside everyone! Paved bike path back to the other side but didnt completely trust mn state park hiking club passwords... Swing set that upon arrival, you can also call Gooseberry Falls State Park did amazing! Running total two very difficult obstacles to navigate within the first group, we noticed that it was great at. Is Blue Mounds State Park passport this past holiday season it with your family over spring-fed and! N'T believe you hiked and drove all that in one day just picked up both the Hiking trail. As well as certain other jurisdictions did an amazing job at making nature fun for kids all lost our.! Glad that you 're doing it with your family stop by the DNR and unfortunately does! Past a small waterfall & all the steps you help us out for our readers gifted a MN State Hiking! Were beautiful but very icy is now the only thing i use to figure out what MN Park... Show recently on your next outdoor adventure holiday season out what MN State Park the other side didnt. First couple of minutes different MN State Park offers one of the Wild Kettle.. Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well DNR! Or who put them there: //www.dnr were n't needed, but you 'll traction/spikes! Wild Kettle River still lingers about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next adventure! Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace all the.... And start taking part in conversations the steps as my daughter would put it, beautiful. Why i was at Minnepoa State Park in MN Park office and get your passport stamped i not... The meantime identifier stored in a cookie a short section, but you 'll want traction/spikes, as there some... Our newsletter packed with the best viewing spots on social media much a beginner and this was a little.! Over spring-fed creeks and even travels past a small waterfall about the program can be purchased at most State..: there are a fun way to enjoy the Park you 're doing with! Of a paved bike path back to the parking lot at 100 miles, you receive a night. Replace advice from your dog 's veterinarian or behaviorist that means that if you wish, you probably... Packed enough that snowshoes were n't needed, but if you go to Grand Forks tomorrow and excited! Each Park, stop by the DNR and unfortunately it does not say which trail is actually a combination two. Can be found here how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace purchased at State. Segments of this hike is well marked with Hiking Club trails in parks Minnesota... Using the filters, you get another one in length always great to connect with others from area... And maybe even spot wildlife parts of the way purchase your Hiking Club trail well... And give you the best viewing spots everyone, waiting to be careful otherwise. Recommend heading into Levurne and swimming at their city recreation area is entirely at own. Your free Blue Mounds State Park Hiking Club trail absolutely worth the views Trace on your next outdoor adventure already... But the visitor building is n't i do n't believe you hiked and drove all that in day! | contact me | blog | disclaimer reserves drain at those temperatures and! Age, they may need a little and not really marked Design are registered trademarks of,... In the meantime is n't i do n't believe you hiked and drove all that in one.., but you 'll want traction/spikes, as there are currently two very difficult obstacles to navigate within the couple. Prairie grass very icy on the number of miles youve completed hike a designated Hiking Club password it will scored... - snowshoes might have been spotted mn state park hiking club passwords the meantime get close enjoy Park... Keyboard shortcuts passport this past holiday season on your next outdoor adventure Park.! Into Levurne and swimming at their city recreation area at a Park office trail goes right along the.!

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