Old mill was short but beautiful! Why do they call it Blue Mounds State Park? We really enjoyed it. If the passport and travel log arent cool enough, how about some free stuff? It passes over spring-fed creeks and even travels past a small waterfall. The goal of the Hiking Club is to help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the state. 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. I was wondering if you could let me know which one it is? I was just doing research for my project this year, which is to photograph all of the State Parks and Rec Areas, and also complete the Hiking Club book. trail in good condition. This ended up being beneficial because the downed trees/limbs required frequent high stepping, crouching, weaving and variations of a squat-walk. reviewed Minneopa State Park Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking reviewed Lake Pepin Overlook Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking James Greene reviewed Whitewater State Park Dakota Trails Loop October 23, 2022 Hiking We hiked only part of the Dakota trail which covered all of one rim to Chimney Rock. Welcome toThis Big Wild Worldtravel blog! The other half was packed Down from snow shoes. Do you and your dog love to hike? Write the password in your Hiking Club book, along with the park name and the distance you hiked. Buy a day pass or get an annual pass for just $35 (which is a bargain!). Are there bears in Blue Mounds State Park? A Hiking Club password is found on all of these hikes. My life week is pretty average but on the weekends, my family and I hop in our car exploring Minnesota. Also, your blog is helpful in planning these trips. MaplewoodState Park49. The rewards for the hiking club are based on the number of miles youve completed. CarleyState Park11. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. A few hours before we could drop the trailer, we decided to check it out. Your email address will not be published. They have a wooden bottom but are a fun way to enjoy the park. Stairs are iced over, but still have some spots for you to get your footing. Of my adventures, there are a few that are especially memorable. Have fun with it!:). Do you spend your weekends camping, hiking, fishing, and everything outdoors? This Park has something for everyone, including stunning overlooks of quartzite cliffs, bike paths, prairies, and a bison herd. 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. Big Bog State Recreation Area is located in northern Minnesota. If you want to skip the paved section, follow the red route, which is 4.25 miles. Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription. If you are serious about it visiting the parks, I highly recommend getting a MN State Park parking permit. The Hiking Club Trail surrounds much of the park, including the outer edge of the bison enclosure. 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. I took my 8 and 10 year old and they had a blast. But if you go to Grand Portage, hike past the hiking club trail. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. While there are 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas, only 68 of them have a designated hiking club trail. I highly recommend going either in the morning or evening hours to capture the sun on the cliffside. The Minnesota State Park's Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 22 ftRoute type Loop. One of us had Yak tracks & one had the sharper metal ice trackswe did fine but before we put them on we were sliding all over. This is just the beginning of the summer. 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. The Hiking Club is based on the same idea as the Passport Club, visiting awesome sites and filling your logbook. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? I didnt even know about the Passport Club! Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. I hope this gets you off on the right foot! That sounds like an awesome project! 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. Judge C.R. Old MillState Park58. You can find more information as well as DNR maps here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html. Our dogs had a blast, Trail is good but very icy. Want adventure in your inbox every month? This trail is great for birding and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Try this 1.1-mile loop trail near Sunburg, Minnesota. From the SaintCroix Lodge follow the trail west past of the Paint Rock Springs Campground and the Old Logging Trail Campground. Would recommend crampons or snowshoes. Segments of this hiking trail are shared with horses. Every few years, a new bull (male) bison is brought in for herd diversity. Interpretive exhibits at the Thomas C Savage Visitor Center provide a good introduction to the history and resources of the park area. Thanks! Moose Lake State Park55. Still pretty icy and muddy. Using the filters, you can identify which MN State Park Hiking Club Trail is less than 2 hrs from Minneapolis. Perfectly packed down trails. 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. 75 Reasons to Love Hiking in Minnesota (How to Join the MN State Parks Passport Club). Savanna PortageState Park64. They are always incredibly helpful! This trail is actually a combination of two trails, the River Bluff Trail and a portion of a paved bike path. 1. During the summer months, the top of the cactus is topped with bright yellow flowers. The Minnesota State Parks Hiking Club program encourages hikers to hike a designated Hiking Club Trail at most state parks. The park also has a small population of coyotes and deer. 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. See Related: DIY Compression Stuff Sack for Camping. :). Beautiful trail! But you can purchase your Hiking Club book at any Nature Store. February day. Great views but a bit icy aonwear your Yaktraks. Stamp any piece of paper you can find and paste it into your book. Seriously, you can earn free camping just by hiking! Keep checking back to get a review of each of the parks as I cross them off my list. If you love camping and hiking, you've probably considered a trip to Alaska. Red River State Recreation Area59. Any other time and you are risking heatstroke. Questions? More information about the program can be found here. The hiker will soon enter a prairie habitat. Areas need to be careful but otherwise it was great . Wearing traction devices is recommended. 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. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Beautiful day, nice level trail, through the woods along the lake, and into open prairie. Stairs ARE slippery! I walk this trail with my 4 year old son and he loves it. Throughout the year, there are a few free days and other discounts you can check out too. Nearby there are also sort trails that lead . Thank you again for the help! Minneopa Falls, Bison and so much more at Minneopa State Park, 75 reasons to join the MN State Parks Passport and MN Hiking Club, Minnesota State Park Pass Hacks, Tips, and Free Days, 28 Fun Things To Do in Minnesota This Spring 2023, 28 FUN Things To Do During Winter in Minnesota, Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Polar Plunge Plus Tips, 21 FUN Things to do in Duluth in the Winter, White House Tour Experience: All the Details You Need Before Visiting. Well packed trail, snowshoes weren't needed, but you'll want traction/spikes, as there are some slippery slopes. Just stop by the park office to get it stamped. The Hiking Club Trail at SaintCroix State Park is a 4.0 mile hike that starts by the St. Croix Lodge Visitor Center. Its a great deal if you plan to go to a park more than once a year. Snow packed, easy to follow. The MN State Park Passport Program is great for those that love to explore but maybe need a reason to go see them all! Your email address will not be published. Hiking at Blue Mounds State Park is one for the record books. Love your blog! If there is an issue with your order, email us at PAT.NatureStore.DNR@state.mn.us within 3 days of receiving your order. An easy hike is to High Falls, cascading 60 ft over the basalt cliffs. Very well groomed though, and lots of people out enjoying the area. cross country skiied yesterday. Glacial Lakes State Park25. These longer hiking club trails are located at Beaver Creek Valley, Blue Mounds, Maplewood, and Myre -Big Island State Parks. Park is basically closed but you can park and then hike or cross country ski. stars Last Edited by renneranderson Lots of deer on the move and visible. Well packed, but icy in some places, traction/spikes are helpful, snowshoes aren't needed though. Thanks for making such an awesome blog! 75 reasons to join the MN State Parks Passport and MN Hiking Club. The next morning, around 7:30 we went back and could enjoy ourselves a little more. Beautiful trail! Luckily the trail was relatively flat and soon we emerged on the heavier use portion of the hiking club trail. Click on the picture below to get your copy. Great hike! Good hike with views of the sawtooth mountains and lots of stairs for a shorter hike. window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { Based on what Ive seen online, weve all lost our way. If possible, such as gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with additional information? Cross country skied this trail and it was well groomed except for a small part right along the river. Highly recommend poles with yaktraks too. 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. 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! Taking Children This hike is well suited to including children. Went out from the boat landing to the canoe in campsites for the first time ever. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Along the way, youll earn free nights of camping and patches! 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. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. When you see the weather is going to be 70s degrees in November, you can't sit at home. Like someone else said lots of hills! If the office isnt open, dont worry. Way better sites then I was expecting even stocked with wood. I loved getting to explore some of the trails, including the bike area. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Wearing traction devices is recommended. I agree that Minnesota is totally underrated for outdoor adventures. 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. And, honestly, who doesnt love a free night of camping? The hiking is 24.4 miles alone! They have GPS enabled maps that let you track your location as you hike. Print/PDF Map. Some parts of the trails were pretty rough even with both. The falls in the town of Sandstone is also lovely and typically there are very few other hikers at that location. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Related content to read next: Find even more Minnesota travel destinations and tips on my Minnesota travel page. Enjoy this spot!!! There are benches to stop and sit and have a snack. Went snowshoeing and it was beautiful. This post is sponsored by DayTripper. I believe that theres a sense of adventure inside of everyone, waiting to be discovered. A Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most state parks for $14.95 (as of 2019). Youll be blazing a trail all the way out and back but it was GORGEOUS. It may surprise you to know that DayTripper sponsors 95% of the posts seen on the site. Bike. All rights reserved. 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. It didnt take me long to find out that there are a lot of MN State Parks and it became hard to juggle them all. A daily MN State Park pass is only $7. 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. Required fields are marked *. No, Bears do not live in Blue Mounds at State Park. This spreadsheet is now the only thing I use to figure out what MN State Park I want to visit this weekend. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Trail is well packed down - at least the top half. Snowshoed it. In this case, almost across the entire thing. Thank you so much! The Hiking Club operates in a similar manner. Glia and I joined the Minnesota Hiking Club in December 2019, so if you are reading this post in 2020, you will see a list of state parks and trail lengths with minimal information about each trail. You're very welcome! Bison can get as close to 75 feet from you. As its name suggests, the River Bluff Trail runs along the top of the bluff above the SaintCroix River. Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area53. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. $35 for a whole year of gorgeous local trails? I would have LOVED that as a kid. Father HennepinState Park16. Lake BemidjiState Park42. Be ready to dodge some dog poop. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. From the trail, you can stop at the top and look down at the spectacular views. Nearby is a family of nesting ducks. Your email address will not be published. This path pretty much runs in parallel to the River Bluff Trail. Club registration form This form is for registering your Hiking Club or Passport Club membership. I just picked up both the hiking club and passport club kits yesterday while I was at Minnepoa State Park. Saw only 7 Great hiking conditions for boots and spikes. SibleyState Park67. I really liked the video. an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The biggest draw to Blue Mounds State Park is the Sioux quartzite cliff line. Lake LouiseState Park45. Alternate entrance to the trail is a very short walk NE from the parking area, along the shoulder to 47.5560295, -90.8724095. just filled the random trail people made through the camps a bit after visiting the falls. Fort Snelling State Park20. I appreciate it!Seven in ONE DAY? Pro Tip: Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! Some trails are 1 mile and some are 6 miles, but they all are beautiful and well worth the exercise. Ended up turning around . The trail is pretty rough from the early melt and freeze. Make sure to check out my newest guide on Enjoying the Hike Again. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also take the trail into Levrune. After visiting 25 parks, you earn a free night of camping and a pin. 24deg & sunny. Or which trail is under 2 miles for those just starting out? The parent in me was going worst-case scenario and wondering how badly they could hurt themselves. At 100 miles, you also earn a free night of camping. Minimal dirt and sticks on the track, but it was a bit icy. This page was last edited on 17 October 2020, at 09:38. Fun to have so many water views. Trails are not groomed and one minute you are fine, the next you are in knee/thigh deep snow. Highly recommend. Track your progress with a Push Pin Map of Minnesota! Ill need to hit this one again soon. ItascaState Park35. I recommend heading into Levurne and swimming at their city recreation area. Glendalough State Park26. 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. 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.. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. 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. Lovely hike! Cascade RiverState Park12. What is the MN State Parks Passport Club? Start by purchasing a Hiking Club book for $14.95 at any state park Nature Store (or online at dnr.state.mn.us) or by calling Gooseberry Falls State Park at 218-595-7101. $14.95 679 left in . 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. I didnt think it was possible until I spotted some on the trail. 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. Welcome to This Big Wild World travel blog! Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Beautiful views of the forest and river. Cross-country skied the part of this trail nearest the lake on Sunday afternoon 2/5. During the morning hours. After completing the loop head back to the tailhead the way you came. Its amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it. The Hiking Club is run by the Minnesota DNR, the organization that manages the state parks and recreation areas. Nothing is worse than getting to the MN State Park only to find the office is closed. Lac qui ParleState Park41. 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For registering your Hiking Club kit can be purchased at most State parks the Hiking Club are based the... Both the Hiking Club is to help Minnesotans get outside and explore new destinations within the State is than... Kits yesterday while i was wondering if you are serious about it visiting the,... Nothing is worse than getting to the MN State Park is a 4.0 mile hike that starts by Minnesota... Of the cactus is topped with bright yellow flowers small waterfall section, follow the trail snowshoes! Standing on the same idea as the Passport Club membership the Quarry loop trail closed...