Minnesota State Parks Offer Candlelit Trails

This winter, visit Minnesota state parks and hike, snowshoe or ski on candlelit trails. “Candlelight events are visitor favorites every year and celebrate the beauty of Minnesota in winter,” said Ann Pierce, Parks and Trails Division director with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Candlelight trail events are appropriate for all ages. In some locations, visitors can rent snowshoes and cross-country skis at the ranger station or visitor center. Call the state park in advance to confirm the availability of equipment.

This winter, the DNR has 20 candlelight events planned at 17 locations between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28:

• Afton State Park: Feb. 7
• Big Bog State Recreation Area: Feb. 21
• Camden State Park: Jan. 31
• Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: Jan. 1
• Fort Ridgely State Park: Jan. 31
• Frontenac State Park: Jan. 31
• Gateway State Trail: Jan. 23
• Glacial Lakes State Park: Feb. 14
• Gooseberry Falls State Park: Feb. 14
• Itasca State Park: Jan. 10 and Feb. 14
• Lake Bemidji State Park: Jan. 31 and Feb. 14
• Lake Carlos State Park: Jan. 31 and Feb. 28
• Luce Line State Trail: Jan. 2
• Lac qui Parle State Park: Jan. 3
• Mille Lacs Kathio State Park: Jan. 31
• Nerstrand Big Woods State Park: Jan. 24
• Wild River State Park: Feb. 14

For full event details, visit the DNR’s candlelight hike webpage(mndnr.gov/candlelight).