June 26, 2025



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*Minnesota DNR News
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*

June 26, 2025




*For more information:*

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





In This Issue

* Minnesota state parks, recreation areas and trails offer Fourth of July fun; camping reservations still available [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Watercraft, gear must meet Canadian aquatic invasive species requirements before entering Canada [ #link_1491411977526 ]

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Minnesota state parks, recreation areas and trails offer Fourth of July fun; camping reservations still available

Minnesota state parks, recreation areas and trails are great places to celebrate theFourth of July holiday. There is an abundance of recreational opportunities for individuals, friends and families to enjoy for an hour, a day, or a full weekend.

“We encourage everyone to spend time outdoors during Fourth of July weekend,” said Ann Pierce, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Trails Division. “Minnesota’s state parks, recreation areas and trails offer welcoming places to relax, connect with nature, and celebrate the holiday in a peaceful setting. Whether you’re hiking, paddling, camping or simply enjoying a picnic with family and friends, it’s a great way to make meaningful memories.” Did you know most Minnesotans live within 30 miles of a state park or recreation area? The ParkFinder tool [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/parkfinder) can assist visitors in finding a location with the recreational opportunities they’re looking for.

Some ideas for outdoor Fourth of July fun:

*Walk, pedal, roll and ride on Minnesota state trails*

Minnesota offers more than 1,500 miles of state trails. Many state trails are paved, making them a great option for cyclists, in-line skaters, and people using mobility devices or strollers. Find trail maps on the state trails website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/state_trails).

*Paddle your way through Minnesota’s waters*

Many Minnesota state parks have lakes or rivers to paddle on, and there are more than 4,500 miles of paddling along Minnesota’s 35 state water trails. To learn about state water trails for a paddling trip, visit the Minnesota State Water Trails website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/watertrails).

If you don’t have a watercraft of your own, 32 state parks offer rentals, including canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Life jackets are included. Use the ParkFinder tool [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/parkfinder) to find parks with rentals.

*Stay overnight – but make your reservation soon!*

Campgrounds for the nights of July 4-5 are 90 percent full. People interested in camping over the holiday weekend can see current campsite availability at the DNR’s camping reservation website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/reservations). Locations with 20 or more drive-in sites available include Lake Bronson, Minneopa, Myre-Big Island, Sakatah Lake, St. Croix and Zippel Bay state parks. Red River State Recreation Area is the only location with more than one drive-in site with electric hook ups available. All lodging in state parks is full for the nights of July 4-5.

*Learn through programs and tours*

Minnesota state parks offer a variety of outdoor education opportunities. Naturalist-led programs are offered at many parks, and most are free to attend. There are 48 naturalist programs scheduled from July 4-6; visit the Parks and Trails division’s event calendar (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar) to find details.

Three state parks offer tours—Blue Mounds, Forestville/Mystery Cave and Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine. At Blue Mounds, visitors can tour the prairie and bison range to learn about the prairie ecosystem and the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd. There are multiple types of tours available at Mystery Cave, including the one-hour scenic tour, the two-hour geology tour, and the one-hour lantern tour. Surface mine tours and interpretive exhibits are available at Soudan Underground Mine, but underground tours remain paused while mine repairs are underway following last year’s flood damage. Learn more or make tour reservations from the Tours in Minnesota state parks website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/tours).

*Enjoy the outdoors fireworks-free*

One thing visitors to state parks and recreation areas won’t experience during the Fourth of July weekend – or anytime – is fireworks. Minnesota rules prohibit the use of fireworks within state park and recreation area boundaries.

*No matter the activity, be prepared!*

The DNR encourages those participating in outdoor recreation to keep safety in mind as they celebrate the holiday outdoors with family and friends.


* *Pack smart:* Be sure to bring sunscreen, insect repellant, a first aid kit and plenty of water for all the people and pets in your group.
* *Be BearWise:* The presence of a bear in the area is not a threat to your safety, but having a bear in camp can lead to problems. Visitors should properly store food inside vehicles or in storage boxes where provided, and dispose of trash. See the DNR’s bear safety website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/bearsafety) for tips to avoid an unwanted bear encounter.
* *Fun boating is safe boating:* Always wear a lifejacket, and make sure children wear theirs. For more boating safety tips, check out the DNR’s boat and water safety webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/boatingsafety).
* *Be weather aware:* Check the weather forecast so a storm doesn’t sneak up on you.
* *Practice campfire safety*: For a safe campfire, use dedicated fire rings in campgrounds and picnic areas. Always supervise your fire, keep it small, not tall, and make sure it’s fully extinguished before leaving. For more tips, visit mndnr.gov/campfiresafety [ [link removed] ].

For more information, visit the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov).

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Watercraft, gear must meet Canadian aquatic invasive species requirements before entering Canada

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds boaters and anglers that Canada requires watercraft and equipment to meet Canadian aquatic invasive species regulations before crossing into Canada.

Canada Border Services Agency’s Memorandum D19-8-5 [ [link removed] ] ([link removed]) says travelers towing or transporting boats, trailers and water-related equipment at any border crossing must ensure that these items are free of AIS; cleaned of aquatic plants, animals, mud and debris; drained of water; and dry before entering Canada. Hot water decontamination by trained staff might be required for any equipment not meeting requirements upon inspection, and these decontamination units might not be available nearby.

“As with any other aspect of crossing the border, it’s up to travelers to make sure their boats and equipment are in compliance,” DNR Watercraft Inspection Supervisor Tina Fitzgerald said. “Canada’s AIS prevention regulations are a little different from Minnesota’s.”

If someone has been previously denied entry into Canada due to an AIS violation and wants to try entering again, Canada requires proof of decontamination.  Proof can be a completed “contaminated watercraft – conditions for re-entry” form that is provided by the Canadian border agent. You may bring your watercraft and this form to a Minnesota watercraft decontamination station.  Upon completion of the decontamination, you can fill out the form and return it to the border agent.  Please note, the nearest Minnesota decontamination unit may be more than 100 miles away from the Canadian border and not staffed every day of the week.

“The DNR and authorized government units typically operate decontamination stations where they’ll do the most good to help prevent the spread of AIS in Minnesota,” Fitzgerald said. “It is ultimately the owner’s responsibility to ensure their boat and equipment are in compliance with AIS laws wherever they are traveling.” 

Minnesota based AIS programs do not provide separate forms or receipts that can be used as proof of decontamination for your trip into Canada, because boaters can legally complete decontamination on their own within Minnesota.

Minnesota law requires people to:


* *Clean* watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
* *Drain* all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
* *Dispose* of unwanted bait in the trash.
* *Never release* bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
* *Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days *before moving them from one water body to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:


* *Decontaminate *watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/decon).
* *Spray* watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or *rinse* with water if high-pressure water is not available.
* *Dry* watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found any invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.

More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/ais).

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