Trailblazer - August 2019

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parks and rec

Trailblazer

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August, 2019


Editorial update

Welcome to Trailblazer Newsletter

You're receiving this email because you subscribed to receive updates about Minnesota state water trails. The Trailblazer, the Minnesota State Parks and Trails monthly newsletter, is now the centralized newsletter for the division and includes news and updates on state water trails—as well as state parks, state trails, and state forests, and useful tips to enjoy the countless opportunities for outdoors recreation. We hope you enjoy it! Scroll to the bottom of this email if you wish to unsubscribe at any time.

Send us a note if you have any feedback, information you'd like to see, or if you want to submit your profile at your favorite state park or trail for the new Out & About section.

Happy Trails!


Our state trails icon

Hit the trails in the "Bike Friendliest State"

Biking the root river

Biking along the Root River

Root River State Trail

Discover the dramatic river-carved blufflands of southeastern Minnesota

As part of the Blufflands Trail System, the Root River State Trail provides outstanding views of the soaring limestone bluffs of the Root River Valley. With 42 fairly level paved miles, the Root River State Trail offers many opportunities for recreation, from biking and in-line skating to walking and cross-country skiing. It is also wheelchair accessible! This trail runs through the quaint and picturesque Minnesota rural communities of Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston.


Out and about icon

María Reyes-Wrede

Hometown: Córdoba, Argentina
Favorite Outdoors Activity: Biking, canoeing
Claim to Fame: My daughter and I were in a couple of commercials for Univision, promoting Minnesota Summer outdoor activities, in Spanish!
Fuel for the Trail: Granola bars and apples

 

María pictured on the Root River State Trail. ©Rolf Hagberg Photography

Maria Reyes-Wrede biking the Root River

Tips icon

Trailside Bike Tune-Up Stations

It happens to us all... sometimes the bike needs a little TLC along the trail. We've got you covered! Visit our website to find free bicycle tune-up stations along Minnesota state trails and in state parks! Each station is equipped with basic bike maintenance tools, including air pumps.

Bike Tune-up stations

How-to icon

Register for I Can Mountain Bike!

Girl mountain biking over bridge

Take the adventure off-road with the I Can Mountain Bike! program. You'll learn shifting, braking, body position, basic safety and trail etiquette, before hitting the trails for a group ride.

This program takes place at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Only 3 sessions left on August 24: Reserve your space now!

From the MCV icon

Pack and Pedal

On a Saturday afternoon in late summer, I pedal to meet my friends Will Wlizlo and Sage Dahlen in downtown St. Paul at the Union Depot. (...) This is going to be a low-impact, low-budget, low-bother trip, taking us from our urban homes to the natural landscapes of William O'Brien State Park north of Stillwater. Short, simple bike overnights like this are easier to pull off than multiday bike tours, and the route out of town is getting easier thanks to Minnesota's ever-growing network of bike lanes and bike trails. Full story.

Minnesota Conservation Volunteer is a print magazine dedicated to Minnesota’s wild places and creatures. For more stories, visit mnDNR.gov/MCV or subscribe.

MCV cover featuring a girl excited about picking berries
Discover icon

 

Events this Month

There is a wide offering of programs for children and adults alike at Minnesota State Parks and Trails:

  • learn about bats, bees, snakes, or turtles;
  • go fishing with a naturalist or discover the beauty of a night hike;
  • learn about astronomy or geology;
  • join us for naturalist-led bike rides on Brown's Creek Trail and the Luce Line State Trail!
Calendar icon

Find your favorite activity and mark your calendar for some time outdoors this month!