Family-Outdoors

Oregon Trail South of Three Island Crossing (Photo credit: gharness ) PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota State Parks Director Doug Hofer announced today that applications are being accepted for grants from the Recreation Trails Program (RTP). The grants will be available for trail projects sponsored by municipalities, counties, state parks, federal land management agencies or tribal governments. “When it comes to promoting healthy communities, recreational trails are key,” Hofer said. “As safe corridors for exercise and recreation, trails give families the opportunity to spend quality time together and enjoy the natural beauty of our state.” The Recreational Trails Program provides partial reimbursement for approved trail projects. Eligible projects include construction of new public trails, rehabilitation of existing public trails, development of trail-related facilities and educational programs that relate to recreational trails. The application deadline is  Friday, April 11,...

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...

Morel Mushrooms (Photo credit: ~flutterby~ ) The temperature is rising, the fish are biting and the wildflowers along the hiking trails signal that we’re ready for a wide array of outdoor activities at Indiana's 24 state parks and 8 reservoirs. Welcome Back Weekend  is May 3-5.   This is the perfect time to plan for a weekend of wildlife watching, a night by a crackling campfire, and a day or two to relax and escape a hectic world without traveling far from home. Some activities during the weekend include: • Morel Mushroom Festival at Brown County State Park • A “Hound Hike” at Shakamak State Park • Geocaching and evening music at Harmonie State Park • Girl and Boy Scout Badge Day at Monroe Lake • Outdoor cooking workshop at Ouabache State Park • A look back at construction of the dams and reservoirs at Salamonie and Mississinewa Lakes. Check out Welcome Back Weekend programs at your  favorite property ....

Snowmobile driving! (Photo credit: psychopyko ) Snowmobile trails across South Dakota welcomed a mid-winter blizzard, and snowmobilers are taking full advantage of the conditions while they can. “Trails are in excellent condition in northeastern South Dakota, where some areas received up to 16 inches of snow,” said State Trails Program Specialist Tony Schmitt of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. “Trails near Sisseton, Webster, Milbank and Aberdeen received a significant amount of snow and are in excellent condition. Trails near Watertown, Brookings and west to Huron didn’t receive as much snow, but are still in great condition.” Black Hills Trails are seeing some better conditions after a recent warm spell. “We had a few weeks where many trails had minimal coverage due to the warm weather, but cooler temperatures and the recent snowfall have improved trail conditions just in time for President’s Day Weekend,” said Shannon Percy, Black Hills Trails District Park ...

PIERRE, S.D. – Trail conditions and routes will be easier than ever for snowmobilers to view thanks to a new interactive trail map. In addition to trail conditions, the interactive map pinpoints businesses, restrooms and parking areas along the state snowmobile trail system. “By clicking on the trails, snowmobilers can view current trail conditions, and eventually pictures,” said state snowmobile trail coordinator, Tony Schmitt. “The best part is, the map can be downloaded to your smart phone.” The trail map works with the GPS technology in smart phones to show snowmobilers their location on the trail. Snowmobile Trails in the Black Hills are scheduled to open Saturday, Dec. 15, but trail officials are waiting for snow. “The Black Hills has seen minimal snowfall so far,” said Black Hills Trail supervisor, Shannon Percy. “Grooming operations wil...

While some areas of west central Wisconsin received upward of a foot or more of snow last weekend, most areas receiving from an inch or two to 4 to 6 inches. Only a few counties in northwestern and north central Wisconsin have opened snowmobile trails, and conditions are listed as poor to fair at best. In most areas, there was not enough snow for groomers to even get out and pack down snow. State recreational safety specialists are reminding snowmobilers that it is trespass to use snowmobile trails before they are open. Opening of trails is done by county snowmobile trail coordinators based on recommendations from local snowmobile clubs that maintain the trails. Using the trails before they are open can make conditions more difficult for the volunteers, and can also jeopardize the easements that allow trails to cross private lands. A few state parks and forests reported that they have rolled some cross-country ski trails, but there were no reports of snow deep enoug...

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota state parks will be holding several special events the fourth weekend in June. The activities are a great way to spend a summer day. Make plans to attend the following events: Family Fun Days,   Pickerel Lake Recreation Area  near Waubay. Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24. Enjoy a fun-filled family weekend. There'll be lots of games and events for the whole family. Activities are held at the west campground. Info: 605-486-4753 Basic Birding,  Lake Poinsett Recreation Area  near Arlington. Learn about birds of the area while hiking the park trails. All ages welcome. Some binoculars will be available, but you're encouraged to bring your own. Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m. CDT. Info: 605-627-5441 Dutch Oven Gathering,  North Point Recreation Area  near Pickstown. Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m. CDT. Learn how to use a Dutch oven and try your hand cooking over a fire. Tasting the results is required! Info: 605-487...

Image via Wikipedia PIERRE, S.D. – After a shortage of snow this winter, a South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks official says snowmobiling in the Black Hills is in full swing. Two to two-and-a-half feet of snow fell in the Black Hills in the last 10 days, and snowmobile trails are in excellent condition, said District Park Supervisor Shannon Percy, who manages all GFP snowmobile trails in the Black Hills. “We’ve been a little short on snow most of the winter, but with recent snows we’re experiencing the best riding we’ve seen all year,” he said. Percy reminds snowmobilers that trail conditions can be found online and on Twitter. Follow eastern trail conditions at www.twitter.com/SDsnowEast and the Black Hills conditions at www.twitter.com/SDsnowBHills Related articles Experience the Mickelson Trail (South Dakota) on Snowshoes (family-outdoors.blogspot.com) SD: Roughlock Falls to Host Snowshoe Hike (family-outdoors.blogspot.com) Black Hills Deer, Firearms Ant...

Image via Wikipedia Enjoy a beautiful evening of cross country skiing by candlelight at Sakatah Lake State Park on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. People of all ages are welcome to enjoy approximately 1.75 miles of candlelit trails. The wooded trails offer some variety in terrain and are considered intermediate in skill level. Throughout the evening, skiers can take a break and warm up by the wood stove in the interpretive center. If there is not enough snow to ski, a candlelight hike will be held. Before skiers hit the trails, they will need a Minnesota Ski Pass if they are 16 or older. Ski passes can be purchased at the park. 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 also purchase one at the park. 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 507-362-4438. Sakatah La...

Image via Wikipedia Image via Wikipedia Looking for a way to stay in shape when a favorite trail is covered with snow? This winter, try snowshoe running. Avid snowshoe runner Jim McDonell will teach people how at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at Afton State Park in Hastings. McDonell is an avid trail runner and triathlete in the summer who morphs into a snowshoe runner in the winter. He has been running for 35 years and snowshoe running for almost 20 years. He still runs competitively at age 58. After about 45 minutes of discussion and questions about gear, clothing and the local and national racing scene, participants will head out on the trail to do some running on snowshoes until about 3:15 p.m. (or longer for those who want more of a workout). People who don’t have their own snowshoes, can rent them from the park for $6. McDonell will also have some running snowshoes to try. “Snowshoe running is a great, low-impact form of exercise,” said McDonell. “I enjoy the c...

Image via CrunchBase JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JULY 18, 2011 -- If you are looking for an easy way to access information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, the answer is in the palm of your hand. A new free mobile application for smartphones is designed to provide visitors with convenient access to detailed state park information. The app is currently available for the Apple iPhone and is coming soon for Android smartphones. Innovative features within the app are sure to enhance any visit to a Missouri state park or historic site.                       "Our amazing state parks are timeless in what they offer and these new mobile applications will make sure today's visitors have the latest technology to easily access information about them," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.               T...

ADISON – Get Outdoors and Play! Wisconsin State Parks will offer a number of activities at locations around the state as they launch their Family Play Days program in 2011. The play days offerings are part of the ongoing “ Get Outdoors! Wisconsin " promotion designed to provide a wide range of state park-based outdoor activities for families and individuals, all intended to encourage healthy outdoor activity. In all, 17 state parks will offer nature-based recreational programs on either June 5, which is also Free Admission Day for all state parks, or throughout the summer on scheduled weekends. Family Fun Day events are listed under the  Parks, Forest, Trail and Nature Center Events  calendar on the DNR website. Programs include nature art, eco-scavenger hunts, fishing, animal tracks, nature building, wildcard games (wildcards are business-card sized information keys to Wisconsin flora and fauna) and geocaching. Participating parks will have materials available and events wil...