Visits to state parks rise again

A surge in visitors to Minnesota state parks isn't letting up, and parks officials expect the trend to continue as fall colors pop across the state.

Sixteen percent more people bought one-day passes this year than in 2014. Year round passes were up 12 percent from January through Labor Day.

"We've been working really hard in the whole Department of Natural Resources to get more people outdoors experiencing Minnesota's outdoor recreation resources," said Erica Rivers, director of Minnesota State Parks and Trails for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Some of Minnesota's already popular parks grew even more popular. Thirty-eight percent more visitors admired the view from the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Near Taylor's Falls, Interstate State Park had 30 percent more day trippers this year than 2014. And after shutting down for several weeks last summer due to flood damage, Blue Mounds State Park saw more visitors return, a 61 percent increase.

Rivers says the DNR has made a concerted effort to attract a younger, more diverse demographic. They've added WiFi at parks, built yurts and added mountain bike trails. There's also a program to teach beginners the basics, like how to fish and set up a tent.

The DNR says between July 2012 and two months ago, the sale of one day park permits has gone up by 24 percent. The increased day and annual permits is also adding up financially. According to DNR data, combined one day and annual pass sales have amounted to $4.1 million so far this year through Sept. 7, up more than $400,000 over last year's sales to date.

It may be that the improving economy and recently, lower gas prices, have allowed more people to reach the parks. Gail Weinholzer with AAA Minnesota/Iowa says she's seeing more people hitting the road. She says they saw an increase in travel on all three summer national holidays, with Labor Day 2015 having the highest number of travelers since 2008.

"It does allow people on the lower end of the economic scale to take vacations short or long term, staying locally or traveling farther," she said.

State parks aren't the only vacation areas with more business.

"The lodging tax is about 11.89 percent above last year, when doing a comparison between year to date this year versus year to date last year," said Cherie Sonsalla, president of the Ely Chamber of Commerce. Sonsalla adds resorts and hotel owners in and around Ely are feeling better.

"The properties that I speak to they are feeling very confident about this summer and hoping that it stretches into fall and into winter," she said.

To stretch the season, Ely added a marathon at the end of September. Sonsalla says 450 people have signed up so far.