These 4 Days Have Free Entry to Minnesota State Parks in 2024
If you love spending time outdoors, then you’ll be glad to know that there are a few free entry days to Minnesota State Parks coming up in 2024!
With 66 national parks scattered around the state of Minnesota, there are endless opportunities for getting outside and enjoying my home state’s nature. I’ve been to over half of Minnesota’s state parks, since I live here, and plan to visit more this year!
But since these parks charge a fee, visiting on fee-free days is such a great way to explore these parks without having to pay any sort of fee. It’s really a great way to encourage people to get outdoors!
In 2024, there will be 4 days where you can visit the park for completely free! There will be one in each season! Let’s go over them.
Quick Look at Minnesota State Park Free Days:
- January 15th
- April 27th
- June 8th
- November 29th
Free Entry Days to Minnesota State Parks 2024
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15th)
The first free day of the year is on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in mid-January. While this time of year is cold, it’s nice to be outside and take advantage of any warmer weather that we do get.
Plus, most of the parks around Minnesota are perfect for snowshoeing, which is best done in January and February when we have lots of snow!
2. End of National Park Week (April 27th)
National Park Week happens between April 20th and April 28th this year, and the Minnesota State Parks have decided to take advantage of that Saturday and open up for free entry!
3. Start of Summer (June 8th)
As summer starts to arrive and the snow is melted, it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the state parks! So you can visit the parks for free on June 8th this year.
4. Black Friday (November 29th)
Instead of heading into the stores and spending money on stuff we don’t need, why not get outside and take advantage of free entry to Minnesota State Parks on Black Friday?
I know for sure that I’ll be packing away by credit card this year and ditching Black Friday shopping for some time spent in nature!
Things to Know About Fee-Free Days
Although these days do allow free entry, there are a few things to know about exploring Minnesota’s state parks these days. Here’s what to keep in mind.
- If you are doing any camping, tours, transportation, or other activities, you will still need to pay the fees for them.
- If you’re planning to stay overnight, the free permit will last until you checkout.
- If you plan to visit any state parks outside of these days, I would recommend getting an annual pass, which allows you unlimited access to the parks for a full year.
Wrap-Up: Minnesota State Park Free Days
So if you’re planning to visit any Minnesota state parks this year, be sure to check out these free days so you can get by without paying that entry fee!
After all, most Minnesotans have a national park within just 30 minutes of them. So it’s really easy to get to them and explore this year!
