09-29-2007, 03:10 AM
Even though Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer, it signaled the start of a whole new, colorful and exciting season"¦fall. It's also a season that brings lots of visitors to Minnesota state parks according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
"The fall color season brings visitors out for events and programs or to hike, camp and enjoy the scenic beauty of our state parks," said Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation.
Nelson said that of the 67 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas that offer camping, all but four have camping this fall. The four parks are: Old Mill in northwestern Minnesota, Monson Lake in west central Minnesota, Kilen Woods and Lake Louise in southern Minnesota. Red River State Recreation Area in East Grand Forks will keep their campground open through Sept. 30 when it will close for the season.
Whitewater State Park currently remains closed due to floods that damaged the park in late August. For all other state parks, camping remains available.
"A change for state parks this year is the campground in Carley State Park in southeastern Minnesota will remain open this fall through Oct. 21 weather permitting," Nelson said. "By extending the season at Carley, campers who ordinarily would have stayed at Whitewater State Park will have an alternative location for fall camping. Forestville/Mystery Cave and Beaver Creek Valley state parks are two other alternatives in southeastern Minnesota where camping is available this fall."
For arrival dates from Nov. 1 to April 1, campsites are first-come, first-served; no advance reservations are taken.
Showers and modern restroom facilities will remain open in most campgrounds until a hard or continued frost occurs, Nelson said. After that, water lines are drained and facilities are closed for the season but the parks remain open to camping and other activities. At that time, camping rates are reduced to reflect the rustic conditions in the campground.
"We also encourage visitors to check the Web site at www.mnstateparks.info for a list of programs and events in the parks or current information on fall colors and availability of park facilities," Nelson said.
Specific information about conditions will be listed on each individual state park Web page. Questions can also be directed to the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll-free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
"The fall color season brings visitors out for events and programs or to hike, camp and enjoy the scenic beauty of our state parks," said Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation.
Nelson said that of the 67 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas that offer camping, all but four have camping this fall. The four parks are: Old Mill in northwestern Minnesota, Monson Lake in west central Minnesota, Kilen Woods and Lake Louise in southern Minnesota. Red River State Recreation Area in East Grand Forks will keep their campground open through Sept. 30 when it will close for the season.
Whitewater State Park currently remains closed due to floods that damaged the park in late August. For all other state parks, camping remains available.
"A change for state parks this year is the campground in Carley State Park in southeastern Minnesota will remain open this fall through Oct. 21 weather permitting," Nelson said. "By extending the season at Carley, campers who ordinarily would have stayed at Whitewater State Park will have an alternative location for fall camping. Forestville/Mystery Cave and Beaver Creek Valley state parks are two other alternatives in southeastern Minnesota where camping is available this fall."
For arrival dates from Nov. 1 to April 1, campsites are first-come, first-served; no advance reservations are taken.
Showers and modern restroom facilities will remain open in most campgrounds until a hard or continued frost occurs, Nelson said. After that, water lines are drained and facilities are closed for the season but the parks remain open to camping and other activities. At that time, camping rates are reduced to reflect the rustic conditions in the campground.
"We also encourage visitors to check the Web site at www.mnstateparks.info for a list of programs and events in the parks or current information on fall colors and availability of park facilities," Nelson said.
Specific information about conditions will be listed on each individual state park Web page. Questions can also be directed to the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll-free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).