Free weekend in Minnesota
It's a great time to visit parks and try fishing spots.
© Beth Gauper
Quartzite cliffs erupt out of prairie at Blue Mounds State Park.
The second weekend in June is a good time to try something new in Minnesota.
On June 11, admission to all Minnesota state parks is free to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day.
Many parks are holding bird and flower hikes, raptor presentations and orienteering and nature photography programs (at Wild
River, all of the above). There's rock-climbing at Blue Mounds (pictured), fossil-collecting at Forestville-Mystery Cave and
archery at Mille Lacs Kathio.
On the North Shore, Split Rock Lighthouse historical site will
have an open house June 11, along with the state park.
At the Fort Ridgely State Park, admission also
is free to Fort Ridgely Historic Site, which is offering a program on the
Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway. There's a concert in the park.
June 10-12 is Take a Kid Fishing Weekend in
Minnesota. State residents 16 and older can fish for free when the accompany an angler 15 and under.
In Michigan, June 11-12 is Free Fishing Weekend. All license fees are waived.
Are you closer to state parks in Illinois or Iowa? Visit the state parks there — they're always free.
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