Bored in the house and in the house bored? Try these outdoor trips within 60 miles

Minnesotans don't have to spend the pandemic inside their homes. Spring weather has come and many parks and recreation areas are open for visitors, though the coronavirus social distancing guidelines still apply there.

"All state parks are open for day use" including the public water accesses they may have, Kim Pleticha said in a Monday, May 4, phone interview. Pleticha is the assistant communications director for the Minnesota DNR.

The only state park that isn't open is Grand Portage, which is in the Duluth area. Visitor centers at every park are also closed and bathrooms that closed for the winter will remain closed, Pleticha said.

Though all parks but but one are open, Pleticha said that people should only travel to their nearby parks, and "remain socially distant" when they get there. That means avoid congregating on common areas, like "on docks or at boat launches." She also advised that picnic tables or other common facilities aren't used right now as they can't be properly sanitized between use.

"It's a really good idea to bring your own things with you," Pleticha added. "Maybe bring your own toilet paper, certainly bring your own sanitizer ... Just come prepared."

Here are some parks and recreation picks within 60 miles of Detroit Lakes.

• Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Hitterdal, less than 10 miles away. Features trails to see many bird species like eagles, owls and chickens, plus different wildlife. More info: www.fws.gov/refuge/Hamden_Slough/ .
• Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in Ponsford, less than 20 miles away. Features many trails to see wildlife like wolves and otters or different birds. More info: www.fws.gov/refuge/Tamarac/ .
• Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, less than 60 miles away. Features the start of the Mississippi River and many trails where plants and wildlife can be seen, like turtles and porcupines. More info: tinyurl.com/Itasca-State-Park .

• Detroit Mountain Recreation Area in Detroit Lakes, less than 5 miles away. Features many different trails for biking and hiking and a gravity jump trail and skills park. More info: detroitmountain.com/ .
• Mountain View Recreation Area in Detroit Lakes, less than 5 miles away. Features 3 miles of natural surface trails for biking, hiking and horseback riding. More info: tinyurl.com/Mountain-View-Recreation-Area .
• Smoky Hills State Forest in Osage, less than 30 miles away. Features different trails with water and foliage views, plus a 20-mile ATV trail. More info: tinyurl.com/Smoky-Hills-State-Forest .
• Red Bridge Park in Park Rapids, less than 40 miles away. Features the start of the Heartland Trail, a red bridge and art sculptures. More info: tinyurl.com/Red-Bridge-Park .
• Huntersville State Forest in Menahga, less than 55 miles away. Features trails for biking, walking, dirt bikes and some other motorized vehicles. Can kayak, canoe or tube down the two rivers. More info: tinyurl.com/Huntersville-State-Forest .

• Sucker Creek Preserve in Detroit Lakes, less than 5 miles away. Features an amphitheater and trails to see wildlife such as fish, amphibians and birds. More info: tinyurl.com/Sucker-Creek .
• Dunton Locks County Park in Detroit Lakes, less than 5 miles away. Features biking and hiking trails, fishing piers and multiple water views. Remnants of Indian burial grounds are still present throughout the park. More info: tinyurl.com/Dunton-Locks .
• Vergas Trails in Frazee/Vergas, less than 15 miles away. Features biking, hiking and motorized vehicle trails to try and see the Hairy Man of Vergas or the other legends that are rumored to be in the trails. For more information, read a previous Perham Focus article at tinyurl.com/Vergas-Trails-Legends .
• Maplewood State Park in Pelican Rapids, less than 30 miles away. Features many different trails for different views of nature and water, plus different water access points. More info: tinyurl.com/Maplewood-State-Park .
• Glendalough State Park in Battle Lake, less than 45 miles away. Features many different trails plus water access for kayaking and canoeing. Wildlife like deer, fox and an active eagle's nest can be seen. More info: tinyurl.com/Glendalough-State-Park
• Black's Grove Park in Wadena, less than 45 miles away. Features trails for biking, walking and horseback riding with water views. Annual mountain bike and trail race every fall. More info: www.wadenachamber.com/parks#!event-list .
• Nyberg Sculpture Park in Vining, less than 50 miles away. Features many different sculptures by Ken Nyberg, like a watermelon, otter and ear. More info: www.nybergsculptures.com/ .
• North Country National Scenic Trail in Fergus Falls, less than 55 miles away. Features 10 miles of the 4,600-mile trail that spans across soon-to-be eight states, from North Dakota to Vermont. More info: northcountrytrail.org/ or www.nps.gov/noco/index.htm .
• Inspiration Peak in Leaf Mountain Township, less than 60 miles away. Features a trail to get to the highest point in Otter Tail County and one of the highest points in Minnesota. More info: ottertailcountymn.us/building/inspiration-peak/ .

• Buffalo River State Park in Glyndon, less than 35 miles away. Features trails to see and hear more than 200 species of birds and 40 species of wildlife, such as coyotes, badgers and foxes. More info: tinyurl.com/Buffalo-River-State-Park .
• Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area in Glyndon, 35 miles away. Features prairie fields to see wildflowers and wildlife such as deer, birds and bird nests. More info: tinyurl.com/Bluestem-SNA .
• Gooseberry Mound Park in Moorhead, less than 50 miles away. Features trails with water and wildlife views and a bridge that connects to Lindenwood Park. More info: tinyurl.com/Gooseberry-Mound-Park .

• Lindenwood Park in Fargo, less than 50 miles away. Features the American Legion Memorial Fountain, flower gardens, trails along the river and woods and a bridge that connects to Gooseberry Mound Park. More info: www.fargoparks.com/facilities-recreation/lindenwood-park.html .
• Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society in Fargo, less than 55 miles away. Features multiple gardens with different trees and flowers and a butterfly garden. More info: www.npbotanicgarden.com/ .
• Rendezvous Park in Fargo, 55 miles away. Features a waterfall and trails throughout the park. More info: www.wfparks.org/portfolio/rendezvous-activity-center/ .

There are many, many other open parks and recreation destinations close to the lakes area that are not listed here.