Great news- the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that they will continue and expand their Minnesota state parks library program! As of July 1, 2025, the program expanded to more than 200 libraries participating in all 87 Minnesota counties.
The DNR is collaborating with public libraries across the state to provide free seven-day state park passes for checkout. Their goal in offering this program is to provide a way for Minnesotans living in low-income communities across the state to visit state parks without the financial barrier of an entry fee.
Thanks to this partnership, ECRL 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 ANY ECRL branch up to 2 days before their reservation is set to start.
When you pick up your Park Pass at one of ECRL’s branches, 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.
