Minnesota DNR Offering Free Entrance to All Minnesota State Parks Saturday

Getting outdoors in the Northland is always a great idea. In fact, research shows that spending time outdoors in nature provides multiple health and wellness benefits and this weekend the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is providing plenty of additional incentives to head outside.

First, they announced that Take A Kid Fishing weekend begins Friday. The means from Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12, Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger along.

Now, the DNR has announced they are offering free admission to all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, June 11.

This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit to enter state parks and recreation areas. Please keep in mind the entrance fee waiver does not cover activities like camping, rentals or tours.

“Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open year-round to provide places for people to recharge from life’s everyday demands and be surrounded by the beauty of nature,” said Ann Pierce, director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division. “We hope that visitors who go to a state park or recreation area for the first time on Free Park Day will have fun and want to come back.”

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The DNR notes the upcoming Free Park Day coincides with National Get Outdoors Day, which takes place annually on the second Saturday in June. To celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, more than 40 special programs are being offered in state parks and recreation areas throughout Minnesota.

For a complete list of programs, with times and locations, you can always visit the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Events Calendar. All programs are free, but some do require pre-registration.