First Day Hike

First Day Hikes take place at 12 Minnesota state parks on Jan. 1 as part of a nationwide effort to connect people with the outdoors. The specifics vary among the participating state parks. At Tettegouche State Park, hikers will join the park naturalist for a hike into Tettegouche Camp. The trail is groomed so snowshoes are not necessary, but participants can bring them if they want to snowshoe in.

Hikers are instructed to meet in the parking lot on the north end of the park off of Lax Lake Road. First Day Hikes are free but a vehicle permit ($7 for one day or $35 for the year) is required to enter Minnesota state parks. Permits can be purchased at the Visitors Center or online in advance on the DNR’s permits page.

Once the 1.7-mile trail to the camp is covered the group will discuss the 100+ year history of Tettegouche Camp before hiking back out just before sunset.

Hikers should bring water and snacks. They are advised to wear boots and dress in layers, such as a non-cotton shirt under a sweater plus a jacket, hat, gloves or mittens. As hikers get moving and warm up, they might want to shed some of those layers.

The hike will be cancelled if the temperature is colder than -15F at start time.

For a complete schedule of the First Day Hikes at Minnesota state parks, including applicable registration requirements, visit the First Day Hikes page on the DNR website or contact the DNR Information Center at info.dnr @ state.mn.us or 888-646-6367 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday).