Minnesota DNR encourages families to spend MEA weekend at state parks

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging families to spend next week’s long MEA weekend at state parks and recreation areas, which the agency says offer everything from day trips to multi-night stays.

MEA weekend runs October 15-18 this year. The agency pointed to fewer bugs, cooler temperatures and fall foliage as reasons to head outdoors.

More than 25 state parks and recreation areas have more than 20 drive-in campsites still open to book for the weekend, the DNR said. Many state park campgrounds close for the season after MEA weekend, making it potentially the last chance for an overnight stay in 2026. Campers can check availability on the DNR’s reservations webpage.

Central Minnesota typically sees its last burst of 75% to 100% color during MEA weekend, according to the DNR’s Fall Color Finder. Peak color then moves into the Twin Cities metro and southern Minnesota.

The DNR suggested five fall color hikes: the 2.8-mile Hiking Club Trail loop at Lake Carlos State Park, the 3.3-mile Tom Trail at Sibley State Park, the 5.5-mile Big Woods Loop at Lake Maria State Park, the 2.2-mile Hiking Club Trail at Sakatah Lake State Park and the 0.7-mile Chimney Rock Trail at Whitewater State Park. The Whitewater route includes more than 100 stairs and 200 feet of elevation.

Lutsen Mountains. (Photo by Abbie Wells)

Children can also pick up a free Junior Ranger booklet at a ranger station. Two versions are available for different ages, and kids who complete one can collect a Junior Ranger patch.

State park naturalists will lead 56 events across Minnesota during the weekend, according to the DNR. Options include stargazing at Lake Shetek, St. Croix and Camden state parks, seed collecting at Wild River and William O’Brien state parks, and candlelight hikes at Bear Head Lake State Park and Big Bog State Recreation Area. The full list is on the DNR events calendar.

MEA weekend is also the last chance this season for three naturalist-led tours: prairie and bison tours at Blue Mounds State Park, Mystery Cave tours at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park and Soudan Mine tours at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, where visitors travel 2,341 feet underground.