Outside in MN

No experience required. From Minnesota Public Radio and MPR News, Outside in MN provides timely weather updates, events and how-to guides to prepare you for your next outdoor adventure. Download the app and get outside!

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April 27, 2021 4:15 PM

Pandemic-fueled surge in visitation to BWCA expected to continue this year

More than 165,000 people visited the Boundary Waters last year — a 16 percent jump over the previous year — as people sought refuge in the isolated wilderness from the COVID-19 pandemic. Outfitters say early reservations suggest this summer could be even busier.

by Dan Kraker

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April 18, 2021 6:16 PM

Minnesota parks departments struggling to fill summer jobs

As city and county parks departments in the Twin Cities prepare to reopen pools and resume activities that were canceled by the pandemic last year, they're facing a new problem: a lack of summer workers.

by Andrew Krueger

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April 9, 2021 8:41 AM

Audio postcard: Too many signs of spring to count

If you're looking for ways to get outside this weekend but need a little inspiration, here’s a tip: it’s not too early to go looking for wildflowers in Minnesota.

by Cathy Wurzer

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April 2, 2021 4:00 AM

Bike thieves are on a roll during the pandemic. Here's how to protect your ride

The "bike boom" of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a shortage of bikes nationwide, has also led to a significant rise in bike theft in multiple cities across the country

by Hadia Bakkar

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March 30, 2021 5:39 PM

Camping is an adventure for all Americans in 'Fatima's Great Outdoors'

Ambreen Tariq's new children's book explores the immigrant experience of America's great outdoors — it's based on her own childhood experiences of family camping trips.

by Jonaki Mehta and Ailsa Chang

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March 15, 2021 5:35 AM

Pandemic brought more people outdoors — and parks are planning for a busier future

The pandemic has inspired a surge of interest in outdoor recreation. Some in the industry predict lasting interest in being outside, long after the pandemic and its demand for social distancing have passed.

by Mark Zdechlik

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March 8, 2021 5:11 AM

New campground under construction at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Work will continue this year on a project to build a new campground and mountain bike trail access at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park on Minnesota's North Shore.

by Andrew Krueger

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March 4, 2021 5:51 PM

Climate change threatens winter recreation

It’s cross-country skiing season and Minnesotan Jessie Diggins is on a roll. But the snow conditions she was brought up on are rapidly changing.

by Paul Huttner

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March 4, 2021 11:00 AM

Digging into your gardening questions

Outdoor planting season is just around the corner. Two experts share their advice on planning and tending to spring gardens.

by Kerri Miller and Marcheta Fornoff

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February 9, 2021 5:00 AM

Duo retraces a classic canoe trip and makes it their own

A new book “Hudson Bay Bound” by Natalie Warren tells the tale of a canoe trip she took with her best friend from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in Canada.

by Euan Kerr

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