Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced on March 31 that it’s deploying a new mobile purchasing service called Yodel to phase out on-site drop boxes. 

The app will facilitate purchases at locations where park staff aren’t available or locations like state forest campsites that have no personnel on-site. Parks and trails spokesperson Sara Berhow said the app will also allow visitors to purchase day permits in the near future.

“Paying by app is pretty common these days, and it's something that many of our visitors have come to expect,” Berhow said. “So that's why we're moving to Yodel for some of our payment options.”

One-day and year-round vehicle permits can be 

Yodel won’t be required for every purchase, but it’s designed to replace putting your payments or credit card information in a drop-box when a staff employee isn’t available. 

State parks and trails have phased out the payment envelopes and drop-boxes after they saw increases in attempted thefts from the on-site boxes, including a significant increase of them in 2022, through a coordinated attempt at a number of different parks.

“The decision was made to move to electronic payment options that are more secure and less open to vandalism and theft,” Berhow said.

If an app isn’t your kind of camping experience, the parks department will still allow payment by envelop, but you’ll have to mail them to make sure the payment and credit card information remains secure.

You’ll still need to visit the DNR website for purchasing year-round vehicle passes, along with campsite reservations. And many purchases can still be completed if park staff are available at your local park.

And if you’re worried about data connection, Berhow said users can access public WiFi at state park offices, or you can make a purchase while visiting a more populated location with stronger cell phone service.

, or reach out to the DNR Information center via email at info.dnr@state.mn.us, or call (888) 646-6367 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Matt Mikus

Author

Running through your camp supply checklist? The Minnesota Parks and Trails Division want you to add the Yodel app to your supply list to make buying supplies like firewood and ice easier and more secure.

New app Yodel will process many Minnesota camping purchases

Go Deeper.

Like this?