As of June 1, 2022, the DNR has announced that they will continue and expand their state park library program for another three years! This means through July 1, 2025, ECRL (and 116 other participating libraries that have partnered with Minnesota State Parks and Trails) will continue to offer patrons free Minnesota State Park passes! These passes are good for 7 days at a time at any of Minnesota’s beautiful state parks.
Patrons can reserve their 7-day park pass online through the library up to 6 months in advance. Park passes can then be picked up from ECRL branches in Aitkin, Pine, Mille Lacs, and Kanabec counties up to 2 days before their reservation is set to start.
Pick up your MN State Park Pass at any of the following ECRL locations:
- Aitkin Public Library
- Hinckley Public Library
- McGregor Public Library
- Milaca Community Library
- Mille Lacs Lake Community Library
- Mora Public Library
- Pine City Public Library
- Princeton Area Library
- Sandstone Public Library
- Outreach locations
When you pick up your Park Pass at one of the ECRL branches listed above, you’ll also receive a park guide that tells you where all the Minnesota State Parks are located, what services the parks offer, and some other general information. When you’ve chosen a park (or three!) to explore, just pull into the parking lot and put your Park Pass on your car’s dashboard where it can be easily seen. That’s it! Now you can head out into the park and have fun exploring!
You can use your pass at as many Minnesota State Parks as you’d like during your 7 day window. Once your Park Pass has expired, simply recycle it, there is no need to return it to the library.
While you’re planning your next Minnesota State Park adventure, consider checking out one of East Central Regional Library’s Adventure Backpacks to bring along! The blue Birding Backpack comes with everything you’ll need to view and identify the feathered friends you see on your hike, and the orange Nature Backpack will provide nature guides and insect observation tools.
Learn more about the grant program on the DNR’s website.