A post-Labor Day report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shows a trend is continuing for significant increases in visitation and camping at state parks.
Through Sept. 7, one-day permits in 2015 are up 16 percent over the same time period in 2014, and sales of year-round permits are up 12 percent. Overnight stays also are up by 9 percent compared with last year. These results continue the trend of steady increases over the past several years.
Erika Rivers, director of the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division, expects the upward trend this year to continue as fall color spreads across the state.
The increases follow earlier data that showed in the past two fiscal years, one-day permits were up 24 percent, year-round permits up 19 percent and overnight stays increasing 13 percent.
To appeal to the next generation and keep the momentum going, Rivers said the Parks and Trails Division has added mountain bike trails, yurts and Wi-Fi at state parks. It also has added kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, free use of fishing kits and GPS units, and a series of I Can! programs that teach beginners how to camp, fish, rock climb, paddle and more.
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