Minnesota State Parks and Trails Traveler March 2015
Fort Snelling State Park In the heart of the Twin Cities you'll find the most visited state park in Minnesota - Fort Snelling State Park - where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers converge. The Dakota called the confluence of these rivers Ha-Ha-Mdo-Te, which translates to "junction of two rivers." Located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just west of the main terminal exit for the International Airport, Fort Snelling State Park is open for day use only (no camping) and is a popular place to hike, bike, fish, and picnic. It also has a swimming beach and a golf course. Wildlife is abundant throughout the park, with deer and turkeys often on hand to greet visitors along the main park road. Two naturalists offer family-oriented nature programs throughout the year. This month, they will be demonstrating how to make tasty maple syrup from sap. Take part in one of these free programs and find out how you can repeat the process in your own backyard (more info in the March Events section below).
See the gorgeous sights of the park with this beautiful virtual tour.
List - Signs of Spring Friday, March 20, is the first "official" day of spring. Also known as the spring equinox, the day is roughly 12 hours long with more sunlight on the way. Longer and warmer days mean we'll soon be seeing signs of spring. Keep watch for blooming flowers, budding tree leaves, song birds and baby animals.
For the newbie bird watchers, many state parks have free Birding Kits to borrow. Each kit includes binoculars, guide books and bird lists that are unique to each park. You'll find a list of state parks with Birding Kits here.
Explore spring with birding events in state parks.
Traveler Tip - Camper Cabins Enjoy a "camping out" experience without having to pitch a tent or sleep on the ground. Camper cabins are rustic, one-room cabins that sleep five to six people. Many of the cabins have heat and electricity and are open year-round. Bunk beds and mattresses are provided - just bring your own sleeping bags or blankets. Cook your meals outside at a fire ring with a grill or bring along a slow cooker or coffee pot for use inside.
Make reservations at a camper cabin.
Nature Sighting - Beaver Look to your left as you cross the bridge to Pike Island at Fort Snelling State Park and you may see a busy beaver working on home improvement projects this spring. See it in the foreground, gnawing on a branch? And see its home on the opposite shore? Beavers inhabit every Minnesota county, so you can see them hard at work in many other places, too.
Learn more about beavers.
March Events - Maple Syrup Ever wonder how pure maple syrup gets from a tree to your table? Find out how to make a batch in your own backyard with tips from the experts at Minnesota state parks. Free demonstrations—and tasting opportunities!—will take place throughout the coming month. Generally, sap runs best from about mid-March to
mid-April, when temperatures are in the high 30s to mid-40s during the day and
below freezing at night. It's already running in some places, including Fort Snelling State Park. All of the maple syrup programs are free (although a vehicle permit is required to enter the parks). Some require advance registration.
Visit Fort Snelling State Park, in St. Paul, on Saturdays and Sundays during March for Maple Syruping in Your Backyard. Learn about the natural history of maple trees and the history of making syrup. Find out what equipment is required, how to tap trees, how to process sap into syrup and then - the best part - taste the syrup. No registration required.
Head to Lake Maria State Park, near Monticello, for a Maple Syrup Demonstrationon March 28 and 29. Take a short hike to learn how to tap trees, see the cooking process and find out how the syrup is finished. Samples available! Stop by any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. No registration required.
Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! On Saturdays throughout March, visit the park for the Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family program. Tap trees, gather and boil sap and taste pure maple syrup! Call the park to register in advance.
Find more maple syrup events.
Keep reading! For past issues of the Traveler, click here.
