 December 2019
 Sunset on Lake Superior. COPYRIGHT: Travis Novitsky
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This winter break, check out the Minnesota State Parks and Trails Winter Activities Guide for outdoor ideas and tips to help you plan unforgettable experiences. Don't forget to pack a thermos of hot cocoa!
We recommend a visit to Lake Superior this time of year to witness an incredible spectacle as the waves break against the shore and water freezes on tree branches. Explore the landscape by snowshoe or cross country skis and look for wildlife tracks in the fresh snow.
Wherever your winter break hikes take you, we would like to hear your stories and see your pictures.
Happy Trails!
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 The lake's 32,000 square mile surface area stretches across the border between Canada and the U.S. COPYRIGHT: Travis Novitsky
Lake Superior has the largest surface area of any freshwater lake on our planet, containing 10% of all the fresh water on earth.
The Grand Marais to Pigeon River portion of the water trail covers approximately 42 miles of Lake Superior's Shoreline in eastern Cook County. This section of the water trail contains some of the most picturesque cobble and sand beaches along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Take a virtual tour.
 The faces and stories of our visitors and staff.
Travis Novitsky
Photographer and Grand Portage State Park Supervisor
 Overlooking Little John Lake at the end of the Arrowhead Trail in Grand Portage State Forest
Hometown: Grand Portage, MN
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Photography… followed closely by mountain biking. I love getting out and riding the many county and forest gravel roads that we have in northeast Minnesota!
Claim to Fame: Night Sky Photography. I’ve been photographing the night sky, primarily the Milky Way and Aurora Borealis, for over 20 years.
Fuel for the Trail: On my 6-hour bike rides I bring a sandwich wrap, a couple of Clif bars and 3 water bottles (two filled with water and one filled with Gatorade.)
 ... or snowshoe adventures!
Colder weather got you down? Bundle up and get outside, even if it’s just for 15 or 20 minutes! Research shows that exposure to natural light and physical activity in the fresh air is critically important to our health and well-being in the winter.
Grab your boots, skis, or ice fishing pole and head out for a much needed mood booster during our darker months. Start the New Year with a First Day Hike at a Minnesota state park near you.
 Thinking about your gift list this holiday season? We have the gift guide for the nature lovers in your life—and maybe, you can indulge yourself!
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Gift Subscription to Minnesota Conservation Volunteer: Small enough to fit in a daypack but bursting with compelling stories and amazing photos, Minnesota Conservation Volunteer is the perfect gift for nature lovers. The bi-monthly magazine is dedicated to Minnesota’s wild places and creatures, with deeply reported features on everything from outdoor recreation to climate change. Give a gift that’ll last year-round.
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Loyalty Club Memberships: What better way to get started with those New Year's Resolutions than with loyalty club kits? Collect stamps with the Passport Club or find the password on the Hiking Club trails. There are rewards to boot!
The November Trailblazer has part 1 of gift guide and other unique gift ideas.
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