May 23, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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May 23, 2025




*For more information:*

Contact the DNR Information Center by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Devil’s Kettle Trail at Judge C.R. Magney State Park wins first place in national readers’ choice award for best hiking trail [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* As recreational boating season kicks off, a reminder to make safety the top priority [ #link_1491411977526 ]

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Devil’s Kettle Trail at Judge C.R. Magney State Park wins first place in national readers’ choice award for best hiking trail

"Voters nationwide chose Devil’s Kettle Trail as the best among 19 hiking trail nominees in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards"

Devil’s Kettle Trail at Judge C.R. Magney State Park took first place for best hiking trail in USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Over four weeks, people across the nation cast votes for the 19 nominees in the category, selected by a panel of USA Today editors and subject matter experts.

“Our visitors have always been captivated by the Devil’s Kettle Trail, and this recognition confirms what we’ve known all along — it’s one of the most unique and rewarding hikes in the country,” said Erin Turner-Garza, park supervisor at Judge C.R. Magney State Park. “From the peaceful walk through the north woods to the view of the waterfall that seems to defy explanation, it’s a place that sparks wonder and invites people to connect with nature in a very memorable way.”

The two-mile round-trip hike winds through forest landscape, following the rushing Brule River. Along the way, hikers climb nearly 400 feet and tackle around 175 steps. The reward is two waterfalls, including the park’s crown jewel, Devil’s Kettle. Here, the river splits — the east side plunges into a pool like a traditional waterfall, while the west side vanishes into a deep, swirling hole in the rock.

The spectacular view of Devil’s Kettle waterfall is what makes this trail special. For years, no one knew where water in the kettle went. People speculated the water traveled underground to Lake Superior or other locations. Objects put into the hole disappeared without reemerging elsewhere. In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced that hydrologists found nearly identical volumes of water flowing both above the Devil's Kettle waterfall and below it, showing the water is likely rejoining the stream below the waterfall. The plunge pool below the kettle is a powerful system of recirculating currents, capable of breaking down material and holding it underwater until it resurfaces at some point downstream.

People who want to experience Devil’s Kettle Trail for themselves can find more information about the trail and Judge C.R. Magney State Park at mndnr.gov/judgemagney [ [link removed] ].

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As recreational boating season kicks off, a reminder to make safety the top priority

Anglers have been common sights on waterways across Minnesota, but lakes and rivers are about to become much busier with the arrival of Memorial Day weekend. The long weekend represents the traditional start of the recreational boating season, when other water recreation enthusiasts join the anglers and paddlers who’ve been on the water since ice-out.

“Everyone who uses the water has a role in keeping Minnesota’s lakes and rivers safe,” said Conservation Officer Matt Miller, who’s stationed in Duluth as part of the Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division’s marine unit.

“Water is synonymous with Minnesota, and it’s great that summer means spending time on the lake for so many people,” Miller said. “We just want to make sure everyone who’s out there prioritizes safety – for themselves and everyone else. Our goal is to ensure everyone who heads to the water comes back with nothing but positive memories and a desire to get out there again.”

The following are safety tips for all boaters to keep in mind to ensure a fun, memorable, safe and successful boating season:


* *Wear a life jacket, don’t just bring it.* The law requires children under 10 to wear a life jacket when the boat is underway, but wearing one is the best way for people of all ages to survive an accidental fall into the water.
* *Leave alcohol on shore.* Operating a boat under the influence is illegal and the single greatest factor in fatal boating accidents.
* *Check safety equipment.* Ensure life jackets are in good condition and fit the wearer. On motorboats, ensure carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, and sound-producing devices are in good condition. Wear the engine cut-off lanyard anytime the boat is underway.
* *Own your wake.* Large wakes can negatively affect the shoreline and be hazardous to other people recreating on the water.
* *Take a boater education course.* New requirements mean all boaters must complete the course. See the DNR website for more information [ [link removed] ]. Through Memorial Day weekend, anyone who signs up to take the online Boater’s Safety Exam will receive $5 off the cost by using the code *25MNBoatSafe*.

*Additional information *Video, photos and sound bites will be available after 3 p.m. on May 22 in the DNR media room [ [link removed] ].

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*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ] *

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