Minn. parks reservation system sees record response

Itasca Reopens
Campers began trickling back into Itasca State Park on Thursday, July 21, 2011, following the state's 20-day government shutdown. On Tuesday July 26, 2011 the DNR took a record number of reservations on the first day its system was opened after the state government shutdown.
MPR Photo/Tom Robertson

The DNR took a record number of reservations on the first day its system was opened after the state government shutdown. More than 4,140 reservations were made from 8a to midnight Tuesday. The previous all time high for a day was 1,761 on June 2, 2008. On that day, the DNR allowed reservations a year in advance for the first time.

Three-fourths of the reservations were made for overnight stays for 2011. The remainder were for 2012.

The most popular state parks were Itasca with 379 reservations and Lake Carlos with 278. Wild River, Sibley and Bear Head Lake were the next most popular with, 169, 167 and 160 reservations each.

All but two of Minnesota's state parks have reopened. Camden and St.Croix state parks remain closed. Both had extensive storm damage.

Because of the high volume of calls, the DNR asks people to go online to book campsites: http://www.stayatmnparks.com/

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