Family-Outdoors

Here’s a cure for winter blues: Explore scenic nature trails by snowshoe or cross-country ski at a national wildlife refuge. Some refuges lend you the equipment for free. Look for animal tracks – easy to spot in the snow – and occasional wildlife sightings. For maps or more detailed trail descriptions, contact the refuges. National wildlife refuges, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are part of America’s rich natural heritage. They have been so since 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on Pelican Island in Florida. Refuges offer chances to see some of the nation’s most distinctive wildlife species in their varied, and often striking, natural surroundings. Find a refuge near you: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/refuges/visit.html Here are some refuges made for snowy fun. Michigan Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge  (Saginaw) 17 miles of refuge trails are open to snowshoeing and skiing. Look for bald eagles, w...

Courtesy USFWS Here’s a cure for winter blues: Explore scenic nature trails by snowshoe or cross-country ski at a national wildlife refuge. Some refuges lend you the equipment free. Look for animal tracks – easy to spot in the snow – and occasional wildlife sightings. For maps or more detailed trail descriptions, contact the refuges. National wildlife refuges, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are part of America’s rich natural heritage. They have been so since 1903, when President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge on Pelican Island in Florida. Refuges offer chances to see some of the nation’s most distinctive wildlife species in their varied, and often striking, natural surroundings. Find a refuge near you:  http://www.fws.gov/refuges/ . Here are some refuges made for snowy fun. IDAHO Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge  (northern tip of state) Explore the refuge’s 6.2-mile auto tour route, closed to cars in wint...

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program will offer a Beyond BOW winter cabin ski/snowshoe workshop for women. Scheduled for the weekend of  March 6-8, 2015 , the program is designed for women who have previous cross-country ski and snowshoe experience and would like to expand on their skills and abilities. The workshop starts at  6 p.m. Friday, March 6 , at  Wilderness State Park , 903 Wilderness Park Drive, near Carp Lake, Michigan. Participants are asked to bring their own camping gear. See registration papers for more details. " To participate in this Beyond BOW workshop, everyone must have solid previous experience with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing,” said Sharon Pitz, Becoming and Outdoors-Woman program coordinator. “The March workshop aims to help women expand on the skills they may have been taught at previous workshops – things like back-country cooking, reading and using maps and compasses, wilderness first aid, s...

Snowshoe (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D. – Love is in the (cold) air this Valentine’s Day at Custer State Park. The park is hosting the Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike Feb. 14, which will give participants the opportunity to take in the winter scenery and learn how to snowshoe. The three-mile guided hike will take snowshoers through a dense pine forest, meandering near Grace Coolidge Creek. It is considered moderate to strenuous. Participants should plan three hours for the hike. Two hikes are being offered, departing the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. MST. There is no fee for the hike; however a park entrance license is required and can be purchased the day of the hike. Snowshoes and basic instruction are provided, but reservations are required by calling the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center at  (605) 255-4464 . Related articles South Dakota State Parks Report Record Camping Numbers (ammoland.com)

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, dog sledding and more winter-themed events at nine DNR visitor centers across the state in February. In most cases, equipment is available to borrow if participants don't have their own. There is no charge for these "Just Add Snow" programs, but a  Recreation Passport  is required for vehicle entry to state parks.  More than 60 “ Just Add Snow ” programs are offered at the following locations. Click on the "Just Add Snow" icon at the left to see a 30-second video.  Bay City Recreation Area: Saginaw Bay Visitor Center (Bay City) Hartwick Pines State Park Visitor Center (Grayling) Hoffmaster State Park: Gillette Visitor Center (Muskegon) Ludington State Park (Ludington) Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Visitor Center (Ontonogan) Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Paradise) Waterloo Recreation Area (Chelsea) William Mitchell State Park: Carl...

Anyone eager to get out cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling will find an abundance of opportunities at many Minnesota state parks and trails, thanks to this week’s heavy snowfall. “The recent heavy snowfall and the forecast for sustained cold temperatures offers prospects of substantial, enduring snow cover deep into the month,” said Greg Spoden, state climatologist at the Department of Natural Resources. “It will be the best start to the winter recreation season since 2010.” Staff from the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division and local clubs will be busy grooming trails in preparation for the upcoming weekend, but the DNR advises prospective park and trail visitors to check the website for trip planning tips before heading out to a winter recreation destination. Snow depth and trail conditions are updated every Thursday after 2 p.m. throughout the winter months at  www.mndnr.gov/snow . Many Minnesota state parks rent snowshoes, and several rent cross-country...

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum will present its first ever snowshoe-making workshop the weekend of February 2-3, offering participants a chance to lace their own pair of traditional snowshoes. “Snowshoeing has a long history as a mode of transportation in the snowy Upper Peninsula,” said museum historian Troy Henderson. “This workshop celebrates that history and encourages participants to explore our winter landscape.”  The Iron Industry Museum is now open year-round and features a new network of trails on the museum grounds.Class space for this workshop is limited and reservations are required. The class fee of $175 per person includes all materials and a $25 non-refundable reservation fee. For more information about the class and to make reservations, call Troy Henderson at 906-475-7857 or email him at hendersont7@michigan.gov.  The museum entrance is located on US-41E, one mile west of Junction M-35, in Negaunee Township. Admission is free, but donations are encoura...

Image via Wikipedia SPEARFISH, S.D. – On Feb. 25, visitors to  Roughlock Falls  near Spearfish will have the opportunity to experience the winter sights and sounds of the Black Hills by donning a pair of snowshoes on a special Game, Fish and Parks Department hike. “This snowshoe walk is a great way to try something new and to experience the Hills from a whole different perspective,” said Dana Garry, Mickelson Trail manager. “We encourage folks of all skill levels to join us. No previous experience needed. If you can walk, you can snowshoe!” Staff will teach basic snowshoeing skills while leading a two-mile, round-trip nature walk along the trail. Snowshoes are provided, but reservations are required to borrow snowshoes by calling 605-584-3896 . There is no cost for the hike, which departs from the Latchstring Restaurant at 1 p.m. MST on Saturday, Feb. 25. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather because temperatures in the Black Hills can be unpred...

Image via Wikipedia With spring training around the corner, some Minnesota Twins players took advantage of an opportunity to go snowshoeing at Lake Bemidji State Park on Jan. 25. Outfielders Rene Tosoni and Ben Revere, former player Tony Oliva and Twins announcer Dick Bremer were greeted at the park by manager Pete Harrison and naturalist John Fylpaa. The Twins were in town with the 52nd annual Winter Caravan, which is traveling around the state this month, providing opportunities for the team to connect with fans and build enthusiasm for the 2012 baseball season. Park staff provided the visitors with snowshoes. They then headed down a trail and out onto the frozen Lake Bemidji, where thick ice heaves ad formed on the lake’s shoreline. “We’re glad they were able to take time to visit,” Harrison said of the Twins. “The weather was perfect, and at this time of year, the park is a beautiful place to go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing.” Related articles ...

Image via Wikipedia CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. – On Feb. 11, visitors to  Custer State Park  will have the opportunity to experience the winter sights and sounds of the popular park, by way of a pair of snowshoes. The Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike will guide participants through a dense pine forest, meandering near Grace Coolidge Creek. The three-mile hike is geared toward beginners, allowing participants the opportunity to try the recreational event and explore some of the park’s most beautiful winter scenery. Two hikes will depart that day, leaving at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center. Snowshoes are provided, but reservations are required to borrow snowshoes by calling  605-255-4464 . There is no cost for the hikes; however, a park entrance license is required. If the amount of snow does not allow for snowshoeing, a guided hike will be held. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather, as temperatures in the Black Hills can be u...

Image via Wikipedia Enjoy the cold and snow at your favorite state park or reservoir this month, or stay warm inside with your friends and family.  Get outside... • You’ve got just one month left to experience the refrigerated toboggan  at Pokagon State Park. The last day to ride is Feb. 26. • Reservoir Ramble Geocache Challenge at  Monroe Lake  is Saturday, Feb. 4. You may begin anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All "cachers" who complete the entire challenge by 4 p.m. will be entered into a drawing to win a 2012 State Parks & Reservoirs Annual Entrance Pass.  • Raise money for Special Olympics in the Polar Plunge on Feb. 11 at  Versailles  State Park, or enjoy the 3K Polar Climb/Run through the park’s scenic hills. Contact the park at  (812) 689-6424  or  Ripley County Tourism  for more information. • Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics on Feb. 18, at Deam Lake SRA . Interested pl...

A candlelight ski, snowshoe, and hike will be held at Rice Lake State Park on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 6-9 p.m. A warming shelter, campfire, baked goods, and hot drinks will be offered to all those who attend. More than 300 luminaries will light one and a half miles of trail that will begin at the boat launch parking lot and run near the lake’s shoreline, through the woods and return to the boat launch area. Another half mile of trail will be lit for those wishing to hike or snowshoe. The event, which has been held since at least the 1990s, is organized by the Friends of Rice Lake State Park. The volunteer group has been active for many years at the park and serves as a support team for park operations. Besides the annual candlelight ski, the volunteers perform fall and spring clean up days, conduct fundraising and act as an advocacy group in support of Minnesota state parks. People who wish to rent skis, should call the Warsinski Chalet at 507-451-9850. Snowshoes will be available for r...

Minnesota state parks and state trails will host 38 candlelight events this winter, including a hike and snowshoe event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Afton State Park in Hastings. This popular family friendly event will provide an opportunity to snowshoe or hike on trails illuminated by the warm glow of candles. Visitors can warm up around a fire and roast marshmallows or enjoy a hot drink. The candlelit trail at Afton State Park is three miles and suitable for beginner-level snowshoers and hikers. Call 651-436-5391for information about equipment rental. Those who don’t already have a Minnesota state parks vehicle permit ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit) can purchase one at the park. If there is not enough snow for snowshoes, the trail will still be illuminated for hiking. In case of bad weather, this event may be changed or canceled. For more information, including event details, weather updates and directions to the park, call 651-436-5391 or visi...

Image via Wikipedia Ludington State Park in Mason County is offering a Go Get Outdoors free snowshoe trek on Saturdays, Jan. 14 through Feb. 18, weather permitting. These 1-1/2-hour guided snowshoe/nature/history programs will take visitors through Ludington State Park's snow-covered sand dunes. Two treks will be offered each Saturday. Start out from the Warming Shelter located next to the parking lot at the end of M-116 at 3 p.m. or try the Moonlight Trek at 7 p.m. The park has 40 pairs of snowshoes to loan out on a first-come, first-served basis. Loaner snowshoes fit visitors ages 10 years old to adult. Reservations are not required. Park staff will be on hand to help novice trekkers with their snowshoes and getting started. Participants are advised to dress warmly, wear good-fitting winter walking shoes or boots, and bring a flashlight if attending the Moonlight Trek. "Snowshoeing can be done by anyone at any age. One hour of moderate walking in snowshoes can b...

Image via Wikipedia The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoors -Woman program has openings for one-day winter workshops Jan. 26-27 at Cross Ranch State Park, Center, and Feb. 24, 25 and 26 at Lake Metigoshe State Park, Bottineau. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are offered at Cross Ranch. Snowshoeing and tracking, winter survival and cross-country skiing are available at Lake Metigoshe. The dog sledding class is full. Women interested in the workshops are encouraged to  register online   at the Game and Fish website,  gf.nd.gov . Those interested should sign up immediately, as each class is limited to 12 participants. The cost is $50. Sign up for a class on two days and receive a $15 discount. Preregistration with payment is required. Equipment and snacks will be provided. An  information and registration form  is available for download by accessing the Department’s education/outreach link, or by contacting Nancy Boldt, N...

Image via Wikipedia Get the whole family outdoors for some winter fun. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon County is sponsoring Winter Snowshoe Hikes starting at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28 and Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at the Gillette Visitor Center. Snowshoes for the programs may be reserved from the Gillette Nature Association for a $5 fee per pair. Reservations are required to participate in the hikes, and snowshoes can be reserved at the time hike reservations are made. Space is limited. For details or reservations, call 231-798-3573. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is located at 6585 Lake Harbor Road in Muskegon. The snowshoe events are free; however, a Recreation Passport is required of all vehicles entering the park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to pre...