Give gift of the great outdoors this holiday season

Need a unique holiday gift for an outdoor enthusiast?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a suggestion: Give the gift of the great outdoors with a Minnesota state parks gift card. The cards can be redeemed for camping, overnight getaways at camper cabins or modern suites, vehicle permits, snowshoe and kayak rentals and more. They can also be redeemed for Minnesota state parks apparel, outdoor-related books and many other items sold at Minnesota state park gift stores.

“The gift card is an easy way to connect friends and family to Minnesota’s outdoors,” said Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “We recommend giving Minnesota state parks gift cards to children or grandchildren with a promise to take them snowshoeing this winter or fishing next spring. In addition to creating memories that will last a lifetime, the experiences will help hook that next generation on the fun of outdoor recreation.”

As of Nov. 15, the DNR has sold more than 7,000 gift cards since launching them in 2009. Revenue generated by gift card sales stays right here in Minnesota and helps support interpretive programs and resource management projects at state parks.

The gift card – which features a photo of the state’s highest waterfall, the main attraction at Grand Portage State Park in northeastern Minnesota – can be purchased in three ways:

By phone (651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Online (mndnr.gov/giftcard).

In person at any Minnesota state park with office hours or at the DNR Information Center, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul.

Tags: news, updates, outdoors, dnr