Outdoors

DNR proposes state park fee hike to help plug budget deficit
The annual state park vehicle permit fee would go from $35 to $45, while the daily permit cost would rise from $7 to $10. Without the increases, the state’s park account is scheduled to go into the red by the end of the 2023 fiscal year, something the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warns would result in shortened camping seasons and less frequent bathroom cleanings.
Like being ‘in a perpetual snow globe’: Duluth woman solo hikes Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail
Emily Ford has spent the past month hiking the trail, and expects to finish in March. All told, her journey will cover more than a thousand miles.
Wisconsin DNR board refuses to set early wolf hunt
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources policy board narrowly refused Republican legislators' request Friday to implement a wolf hunt immediately, citing concerns that the department can't move that fast and Wisconsin's Native American tribes haven't been consulted as per treaty rights.
After increase in litter and damage in Boundary Waters last year, officials stepping up education efforts
After a surge of visitors brought an increase in litter and damage to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness last year, officials are taking steps to head off similar problems this year.
A cool piece of art: Minnesotans flock to Mpls. park in search of frozen cave man sculpture
It was originally a commissioned piece for an ad agency. But once the agency was done with Zug Zug (that’s the cave man’s name), one of the artists decided now was the perfect time for him to go out into the world. Zug Zug gives people “something else to talk about, and also something to explore and look at, besides what's going on with our TVs and phones," Zach Schumack said.
Black women's groups find health and healing on hikes, but sometimes racism, too
A Black sisterhood of hikers in Colorado now has chapters across the U.S. and Canada, and includes other sports. "Being around nature, it's like grounding yourself," a founder says. "That is vital."
Which winter sports are safest to play during COVID-19?
To stay physically active this winter while limiting the risk of coronavirus infections, experts suggest activities you do alone or with members of your household. That could include running, skiing and snowshoeing.
‘You have this feeling of floating’: Skaters delight in perfect lake ice in northern Minn.
Matthew Baxley, co-host of WTIP’s Boundary Waters Podcast, is among the skating fanatics who have been putting in as much ice time as they can before the weather changes. He went out earlier this week with friends, and sent Morning Edition an audio postcard from their day.