Traveler - Open the Outdoors

The List: Parks with Accessible Campsites, Lodging and Trails  

Moose Lake State Park is one of more than 20 Minnesota State Parks where you can find accessible campsites to accommodate wheel chairs and other mobility assistance devices.  Many parks also provide accessible lodging and trails.

For example: 

• Big Bog State Recreation Area and Kilen Woods State Park also provide accessible campsites.
• Check out Fort Ridgely State Park and Tettegouche State Park for accessible camper cabins, guesthouses and rustic cabins.
• Explore 7.5 miles of accessible trails at Lake Shetek State Park and two miles of trails at Red River State Recreation Area.

Traveler Tip:  Parent's Guide to Camping with Kids

Camping with children may seem like a daunting task, but don't get discouraged! Minnesota State Parks have assembled some great tips on how to navigate the outdoors with children.

The Parent's Guide to Camping with Kids provides helpful information for first-time camping families.

Check out some helpful tips below!

• Keep kids involved by creating roles for your children to make them feel like they are part of the process.  
• Practicing in your yard before you camp is always a good idea.
• For food, prepare what you can ahead of time and plan your meals around the weather.
• Make it fun and keep them entertained!  At Minnesota State Parks, you can check out a Kids Discovery Kit or pick up a free Junior Park Naturalist activity book.  Or you might attend a free interpretive program! 

Discover:  Smart Apps & Maps Expand Access to the Outdoors

Did you know that children in the United States spend 8 to 10 hours each day indoors?  Most of that time is spent in front of electronic screens.  There is no doubt that technology has become a major barrier to the outdoors.  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff hope some new tools will help reverse these trends.

Minnesota's Great Outdoors is a new mobile-friendly website made possible by the Minnesota Legacy Parks and Trails Fund .  The site provides helpful trip-planning resources for Minnesotans to access information on more than 700 great outdoor locations on one easy-to-use map.  The map shows all state and regional parks and trails that are eligible to receive Legacy funding.  It’s the perfect first-stop for information when planning out a trip to a new area or region.

Released this summer, GeoPDF maps allow visitors to navigate large remote areas by mobile device. You need to access the internet to download the map reading app and maps for your trip.  After that, you can leave the internet behind and hit the trails as the data is stored on your smart device.  These maps display your location as you travel so you can easily track where you are.

The Gooseberry Falls Go mobile app for your smart phone allows visitors to go at their own pace on the interpretive route of their choice.  The app provides users with site-specific information and details as you hike, like having a live naturalist alongside you. 

Programs for Everyone

Did you know that Minnesota State Parks offer a wide variety of free naturalist programs?  Programs vary from talks on plants and animals that live in Minnesota to outdoor skill building activities that help your family connect to the natural world.

Park staff strive to offer programs that are accessible to all visitors.  If you would like to request a special accommodation to ensure your experience is inclusive for all members of your family, contact park staff at least two weeks prior to the event.

Check out some of the programs coming up in July!

1. Birding 101 on July 2 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tettegouche State Park.
2. Campfire Chef: Beyond S'mores - Bannock on July 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Lake Bemidji State Park.
3. Guided Glacial Potholes Tour on July 14 from 12 - 1 p.m. at Interstate State Park.
4. Family LEGO Challenge on July 21 from 10 - 11 a.m. at Whitewater State Park.