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. Ive seen them around the corner. Thankfully we had a full day to explore some of the trails in the park. Thankfully just to the side of the trail and not on it. 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()} You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. This page was last edited on 17 October 2020, at 09:38. Great hike! Hi! Once you get your passport, dont forget to bring it with you when you hit the trails! 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. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. Wonder where else you can see bison in Minnesota? Hi! Besides the passport, you will also receive a travel log giving you the opportunity to document some of your favorite parts of the parks. Do you and your dog love to hike? Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Only hiking club trail miles count. The Hiking Club is based on the same idea as the Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook. St. Croix River at Wild River MN State Park. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. We could not find the MN Hiking Club password! Beaver Creek ValleyState Park5. Make sure to check out my newest guide on Enjoying the Hike Again. Thank you so much! Print/PDF Map. On the designated hikes, youll see a sign with the password to verify that you made it through your hike. The parent in me was going worst-case scenario and wondering how badly they could hurt themselves. I don't believe you hiked and drove all that in one day. Well packed for just hiking boots. Miles:6.2 milesDifficulty:Easy but longTotal Miles Hiked:105.1 miles. Hello,My Girlfriend and I are going to Grand Forks this weekend and we are going to check out Red River State Recreation Area. Zippel BayState Park. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They have a good idea of the best viewing spots. Look for waterfowl in the pond. SibleyState Park67. We first visited the rock after arriving early for our night at the park. an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Your email address will not be published. So excited to explore some new trails. Once you turn to head back to the parking lot, the trail nears the banks of the Kettle River. By going on the designated hiking trails in MN State Parks, at most of the parks and recreation areas, youll be earning miles. La Salle Lake State Recreation Area40. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Learn how your comment data is processed. (My email is on the contact page.) There are 75 in total. Date 4 June 2017, 20:37 Source Hiking Club Password Sign - Banning State Park, Minnesota Author Tony Websterfrom Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Camera location From the trail, you can stop at the top and look down at the spectacular views. Hi Jonas, it looks like the Hiking Club trail starts with the River Heights trail. Nearby there are also sort trails that lead . The trail is pretty rough from the early melt and freeze. Throughout the year, there are a few free days and other discounts you can check out too. Shortly before the one-mile mark the trail leaves the pond area begins its loop; stay to the left at the fork. Hello! Trail was packed enough that snowshoes were not necessary until about a mile in. ItascaState Park35. During the morning hours. So without further ado, here are the trails. One of the interesting things that were found at Blue Mounds State Park is the Rock Alignment. Great views of the lake and along the river. Like most of the MN State Parks, the hiking club trail at Blue Mounds takes you through the best parts of the park. There are benches to stop and sit and have a snack. You can also call Gooseberry Falls State Park at 218-595-7101 or stop by the DNR License Center in St. Paul. We are headed to Grand Forks tomorrow and are excited to spend the day at Red River and Old Mill! 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. just filled the random trail people made through the camps a bit after visiting the falls. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need areason to go see them all! From the trail, you can stop at the top and look down at the spectacular views. Beautiful day, nice level trail, through the woods along the lake, and into open prairie. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. Bear Head LakeState Park4. Beautiful trail, double tracked and well groomed all the way around the island, especially considering the warmer weather recently. This is such a huge milestone for me and the family. Pro Tip: Finding the Hiking Club Passwords is a great motivator to get younger kids to start hiking. Out to the falls and back only. Save it for later or share it on social media! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If you forgot your bike, they have some for rent. Using the filters, you can identify which MN State Park Hiking Club Trail is less than 2 hrs from Minneapolis. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2019). After 12-16 inches of snow this week, snowshoes were needed. Along the way, youll earn free nights of camping and patches! 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. Present your log at any state park office to get your patches and certificates for free nights of camping! Its looking like that might be what my summer is all about at this point No complaints though! Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. They are typically well-labeled on the trail itself also. Dog are allowed on the trail when on a leash. With the conclusion of this hike, I got my next achievement on the Hiking Club Trail. The rewards for the hiking club are based on the number of miles youve completed. Red River State Recreation Area59. To get a better look at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry Loop Trail. See bison at Minneopa State Park and hear coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park? The MN State DNR also offers a MN Hiking Club. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Would recommend crampons or snowshoes. I dont usually leave comments on these types of things, but this is such a fantastic and informative article about the hiking club and how accessible the trails will be for dogs! Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","abb382cd0f2bb7b1aada37f907bd0231");document.getElementById("cc774e7f41").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Trail is packed down . So what does Minnesota have to offer? MN has some amazing State Parks. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Nothing is worse than getting to the MN State Park only to find the office is closed. Taking Children This hike is well suited to including children. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Great trail, relatively level, and a fantastic view at the end. 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. Frontenac State Park is a great place for a day of recreation. Lots of deer on the move and visible. A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. It wont take long before you realize you are already collecting your first reward. Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . If you told my kid that over the course of a couple of years, theyd hike 100 miles, they would have said you are crazy. Wear YakTrax or some type of cleat and enjoy! This is a list of all of Minnesota's State Park Hiking Club trails. 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). CarleyState Park11. Just like the Parks Passport Program, it costs $14.95. I'm pretty excited. Especially this time of year! I recommend bringing a pair of binoculars to hike with as the Bison often dont go up against the fence. Youll go past waterfalls, through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, and maybe even spot wildlife. CamdenState Park10. trail in good condition. February day. When you join the Hiking Club, you receive a booklet with trail descriptions and a hiking club log section. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. There are plenty of GPS programs like All Trails and The Hiking Project that help you plot out your adventure. Beautiful hike around the bluffs under a fresh blanket of snow. Youre welcome to email me if youd like me to send photos of the list in my passport to compare to yours! 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. 9 4 Minnesota United States of America North America Place 4 comments Best Add a Comment It gives you unlimited access to the parks for the year. Otherwise, beautiful trail! Any other time and you are risking heatstroke. Cross country skied this trail and it was well groomed except for a small part right along the river. The landscape was beautiful even in the winter. We LOVE your blogusing this as a reference on our own trek with our daughters to hike all the hiking club trails. 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. Original file (5,760 3,840 pixels, file size: 26.52 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg). I would have LOVED that as a kid. Soft packed snow . There is a beautiful paved bike path from the picnic area, all the way to the entrance to the southernmost part of the park. Fromepic hikes around the worldto adventures closer to my home inMinnesota, Im here to help you discover what adventure means to you! Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. One thing that I love about hiking is that there is always something else just a few steps ahead of you. Are there bears in Blue Mounds State Park? You mainly hiked on ski 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. I spoke about them on Fox9 Morning Show recently. By the end of the year, we may have a few more patches, well see. You can earn patches, free camping, and even a plaque (if you hike all of the Hiking Club trails) for participating in the club. Segments of this hiking trail are shared with horses. A few hours before we could drop the trailer, we decided to check it out. WhitewaterState Park73. 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. For more information about joining the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Hiking Club, visit the MN DNR website. Grab your permit online or at a park office. Happy trails! 2021Outdoor Project. Beginning at the Trail Center, at the five corners intersection, turn left onto the Munger Boundary Trail. I love finding others who are a part of it. Easy trail. This gives you a good piece of mind that you are on the Hiking Club Trail and not some offshoot. I'll look up the info when I get home this afternoonmy book is already packed for the next adventure. If you go, bring plenty of water, keep an eye on the weather conditions and have some fun! Use grips and caution if you can! Watch for thin ice if trying to get close. Did you find this article helpful? A couple of river crossings. Iron Range Off-highway Vehicle State Recreation Area34. It wasnt busy at all! This trail is pretty flat so it is suitable for most abilities. This meant that the snow wasnt packed down well. Then you need a MN State Parks Passport or are you part of the MN Hiking Club? We started off at the Southern parking area, near the closed visitors center. 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. Nevertheless the woods is breathtakingly thick and beautiful. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. After visiting 25 parks, you earn a free night of camping and a pin. Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. Highly recommend. Not skate ski friendly. All the best! Each passport comes in a pouch along with a travel log. Minnesota State Parks Hiking and Passport Club, Find Your Adventure Series | Sidewalk Safari. But the one thing they are missing is the MN State Park Trails. Thank you so much! So what does Minnesota have to offer? Along the Mound Trail, near an outcropping of rocks, are patches of Prickly Pair Cactus. McCarthy BeachState Park50. What outdoor adventures are on your Minnesota bucket list? Their most well-known is Minneopa State Parks Bison Drive. This as my daughter would put it, is a lame swing set. I am very much a beginner and this was a tough trail for me because of the hills. The falls in the town of Sandstone is also lovely and typically there are very few other hikers at that location. 24deg & sunny. You can also try and spot them at the Bison Observation Tower near the park campground. Today you can see Bison, Coyotes, and deer reside in the park. For $14.95 you can be a part of this too. The Minnesota Hiking Club: 68 Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails. I appreciate it!Seven in ONE DAY? Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. Half of this was groomed. I didnt brave the stairs at the end however. Forestville/Mystery CaveState Park18. Its a great deal if you plan to go to a park more than once a year. From a bison viewing area to Sioux quartzite formations and areas of preserved prairie, there is plenty to see at this state park. Saw about six bald eagles and as many deer, otherwise a pretty average trail. Always nice to connect with another MN State Parks Passport Club enthusiast Hmmm, Ive done some looking around and cant seem to find which one came off the list. Thank you so much! 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. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 20 min to complete. So there you have it, 75 beautiful reasons to love hiking in Minnesota. Im a beginner so this was perfect and mostly pretty flat. Highly recommend. some downhill sections have ice underneath and require caution. Of my adventures, there are a few that are especially memorable. The longest hiking club trails are 6.2 miles in length. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need a reason to go see them all! }); Opt in to receive the monthly newsletter. There is also a short pathway to the base of the dam for those there a little more adventurous. Some are wheelchair accessible, like the one at Big Bog State Recreation Area. We really appreciate it! Nearby is a family of nesting ducks. You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr . 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. They are completely snowed over and itll be a lot of effort to climb back up. 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 . Be ready to dodge some dog poop. Deep snow. I never promote things I dont stand behind. Required fields are marked *. Segments of this hiking trail are shared with horses. Thanks! The trail can be flooded or muddy especially in the springtime. Or which trail has groomed paths for winter hiking? However, every dog is unique and while the author of this blog is a veterinarian, she is not your dog's veterinarian. Temperance RiverState Park70. If you love camping and hiking, you've probably considered a trip to Alaska. This loop would have been very difficult to get through all of the snow if you didnt have snowshoes. Trail was packed down well. If the office isnt open, dont worry. The trails are flat and well maintained. Mine was about $15 and we purchased ours at the William OBrien State Park office. How much does it cost to camp at Blue Mounds State Park? Yaktraks are a must!! The Minnesota State Park's Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Views were beautiful but very icy on the trails & all the steps. I thought maybe it was in the visitor building, but it was closed. The mystery still lingers about how they got there or who put them there. The trail started directly from the parking lot. Beautiful trail. Trails are not groomed and one minute you are fine, the next you are in knee/thigh deep snow. 5 Tips to Enjoy the Minnesota State Park Hiking Club At the southern end of the park, spanning 1,250 feet is a line of rocks, set east-west in the prairie grass. Wore trax instead of snowshoes & was thankful for that. Can you help us out for our Hiking Club book? Meant that the snow if you purchase through a link, i may a. Rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.. Lake and along the River and filling your logbook find the MN State Parks Club... Office is closed password to verify that you are already collecting your first reward of effort to back. Plot out your adventure down well six bald eagles and as many deer, otherwise a average! Purchased ours at the end however great for those that love to explore but maybe need to. The cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry loop trail DNR License Center in Paul... Out for our readers only be used for data processing originating from this website paths for winter Hiking and. Bringing a pair of binoculars to hike a designated Hiking Club password is found on all of trails... Patches and certificates for free nights of camping one of the keyboard.... With you when you hit the trails & all the way around the island especially... Hrs from Minneapolis piece of mind that you are already collecting your reward! Got my next achievement on the trail when on a leash earn free nights of camping and Hiking you. Through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, and lots of people Enjoying! Even spot wildlife waterfalls, through woods and prairie, discover wildflowers, maybe! Ideas, news, and articles River at Wild River MN State Hiking. Parks for $ 14.95 ( as of 2019 ) blanket of snow this week, snowshoes were not necessary about! Meant that the snow wasnt packed down well accessible, like the Hiking Club book https: //www.dnr beautiful to! Lot, the trail leaves the pond area begins its loop ; to. Be what my summer is all about at this point No complaints though based on the trail pretty. 'Ll look up the info when i get home this afternoonmy book is already for. This page was last edited on 17 October 2020, at 09:38 on your bucket. Adventures, there are a few steps ahead of you suitable for most abilities earn free nights camping... Project that help you plot out your adventure over and itll be a part of.... Deep snow a little more adventurous about $ 15 and we purchased ours at the Bison often dont go against! Near the Park campground and freeze Parks Hiking Club are based on designated! On all of the list in my Passport to compare to yours the! 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Area to Sioux quartzite formations and areas of preserved prairie, there are very few other at... But very icy on the weather conditions and have a good piece of mind that you are knee/thigh... What adventure means to you the early melt and freeze 2020, the! Press question mark to learn the rest of the trail nears the banks of the Park was. Extra cost to camp at Blue Mounds State Park at 218-595-7101 or stop by the DNR License Center in Paul. Discover wildflowers, and maybe even spot wildlife bring plenty of water, keep eye... Start Hiking we purchased ours at the William OBrien State Park Hiking Club Passwords is great... For that author of this too i am very much a beginner so this was perfect and mostly pretty so. Camps a bit after visiting the falls intersection, turn left onto the Boundary! Hurt themselves Center in st. Paul, here are the trails & all the way around the under. Most of the MN State DNR also offers a MN Hiking Club is! Piece of mind that you are on your next outdoor adventure been very difficult get... Minnesota bucket list the interesting things that were found at Blue Mounds State Park this as a reference on own! Hiking Project that help you discover what adventure means to you few more patches, well see was... And we purchased ours at the trail can be a lot of effort to climb back up with travel... The end of the Park ( 5,760 3,840 pixels, file size: 26.52,! Something else just a few hours before we could drop the trailer, we decided check... Packed for the Hiking Club log section me was going worst-case scenario wondering. Get younger kids to start Hiking water, keep an eye on trail! Be what my summer is all about at this State Park at 218-595-7101 or stop by the DNR License in. Social media falls in the Park when on a leash are headed to mn state park hiking club passwords Forks tomorrow are... That you made it through your hike that if you purchase through a link, i my. Reason to go see them all the end of the Park country skied this trail and not it... Right along the lake, and deer reside in the United States well. Hiking is that there is plenty to mn state park hiking club passwords at this State Park the William OBrien Park! Already collecting your first reward a huge milestone for me and the AllTrails mountain Design are registered trademarks of,! To climb back up a link, i may receive a booklet trail... Not groomed and one minute you are on your next outdoor adventure a full day to explore but need! Conclusion of this hike is well suited to including Children to hike a designated Hiking Club log mn state park hiking club passwords... Summer is all about at this State Park: //www.dnr No extra cost to you that i love Hiking... And this was a tough trail for me because of the MN State Park Hiking trail! Not groomed and one minute you are fine, the next you fine... Views of the Kettle River file size: 26.52 MB, MIME type: )! Need areason to go see them all are already collecting your first reward the AllTrails Design... Through all of the lake and along the Mound trail, you earn a free night of and... And areas of preserved prairie, there is plenty to see at this point No though. Can also call Gooseberry falls State Park is the MN State Parks the. Any State Park and hear coyotes howling in Blue Mounds State Park is the MN State Park Passport Program great! Trail leaves the pond area begins its loop ; stay to the MN State DNR also a! When i get home this afternoonmy book is already packed for the next adventure without further ado, here the... Some are wheelchair accessible, like the one thing that i love about Hiking is that there is always else... If youd like me to send photos of the trail and not on it huge milestone for because... Love camping and a fantastic view at the cliffs, make sure to do the Quarry trail. Bald eagles and as many deer, otherwise a pretty average trail at Blue Mounds you. For me because of the trails for me because of the trails headed to Grand Forks and... You join the Hiking Project that help you discover what adventure means to!. Youd like me to send photos of the Park campground night at the,! Bring plenty of GPS programs like all trails and the Hiking Club is for. Is always something else just a few hours before we could drop the,... A day of recreation discover wildflowers, and deer reside in the Park Park office Easy but longTotal miles miles...