Minnesota State Parks and Trails The Traveler July 2014
Lake Bemidji State Park Lake Bemidji State Park is the perfect playground any time of the year! Run along the sandy beach on Lake Bemidji or take a stroll through the Bog Walk boardwalk to see the northern bog-orchid or the sundew. Catch a concert at the outdoor amphitheater or cast a line off the fishing pier. There are scenic overlooks, shady picnic tables, campsites, camper cabins, hiking trails ... whew! You better plan a weekend to play and explore!
Find additional park information (maps, directions and more) here.
The List - High Tech Hot Spots Some folks prefer to completely unplug when they head outside, but for those who'd rather have options ... we have you covered! There are more and more high tech ways to interact with Minnesota state parks and trails. From geocaching to virtual tours and Wi-Fi in the parks, we're working on ways to keep up with technology!
Game Time - Nature Notebook Here's an activity that has no rules and no wrong answers. The only supplies you'll need are a notebook and pencil. Keeping a Nature Notebook is a great way to track all the new sights, smells and sounds you'll find exploring outside. Find a quiet spot to observe. What's the weather like? Do you hear any unusual noises? What do you see? Draw, scribble or scratch away! Click below for more kid-friendly fun.
Discover - The State Flower The Showy Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium reginae) is one of 43 orchid species that grow in Minnesota and is considered by many to be the most beautiful flower in the state. It was adopted as the state flower in 1902 and is illegal to pick. Typically blooming from mid-June to mid-July, this orchid can live to the age of 100. You can spot the Showy Lady's Slipper at Lake Bemidji, Gooseberry Falls, Hayes Lake, Itasca, Jay Cooke, Old Mill and St. Croix state parks.
Upcoming Events - Pedals and Paddles
I Can Mountain Bike! Remember your kids' joy and triumph when they first learned to bike? Love the freedom of a ride? Take that joy off-road with this first-ever I Can Mountain Bike! program for families. You'll learn shifting, braking, and body position, along with the basics of safety and trail etiquette. Get rolling, though, because this one-day program is coming up on Saturday, July 26. Advance registration is required.
I Can Paddle! Get the family out on the water this summer! Learn paddling skills from experienced guides while exploring some of Minnesota's most stunning lakes and rivers. I Can Paddle! programs are designed especially for first-time paddlers; no experience is necessary.
I Can Paddle! On the Lake teaches the basics of canoeing on lakes, from launching a canoe to paddling efficiently and planning a safe outing. I Can Paddle! On the River will teach you how to read the river, as well as paddling techniques and maneuvers. Spots are still available for the following trips:
Sunday, July 20: I Can Paddle! On the Lake at Lake Carlos State Park.
Saturday, Aug. 2: I Can Paddle! On the River on the Crow Wing River near Staples.
Sunday, Aug. 3: I Can Paddle! On the Lake at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.
Thursday, Aug. 7: I Can Paddle! On the Lake at Father Hennepin State Park.
Saturday, Aug. 9: I Can Paddle! On the River on the St. Louis River near Cloquet.
