19 Winter Candlelight Events Now Planned Across Minnesota

Some of Minnesota’s many state parks are about to glow up – literally – with 19 candlelight events turning snowy trails into twinkling wonderlands this winter.

Grab your coziest scarf and let the flicker of lanterns and luminaries guide you through this season, which helps prove that during winter here in the Land of 10,000 Ice-Covered Lakes, nature doesn’t hibernate, it just gets more magical.

Living here in the North Star State, we're lucky to have a robust and well-developed state park system administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that really spotlights the natural beauty of our state.

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The DNR says Minnesota is home to:

• 64 state parks, nine state recreation areas, and nine state waysides, totaling over 235,000 acres.
• 43 state forest campgrounds, 29 forest day-use areas, and 24 horse campgrounds.

And, being the hearty type that we Minnesotans are, just because it's winter doesn't mean we spend all our time inside, right? So to help you get out and warm up to winter this season, you might want to check out these new candlelight events the DNR is putting on.

The DNR says it's planning 19 separate candlelight events at 17 different locations across the Bold North this winter, all set to take place between January 3rd and February 22nd.

The DNR said in a release that the events feature trails lit up at night with candles, lanterns, and other luminaries. Depending on the location of the event and the amount of snow cover, you can hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski along the lighted trails.

And you don't have to be an expert hiker to take part, either. The DNR says these events are held on candlelight trails that are suitable for beginners of all ages. Plus, in some locations, snowshoes and skis may be available to be rented or checked out at the ranger station or visitor center at the park where the event is being held.

That's assuming there isn't any severe weather, and that Mother Nature will send us some snow, of course. If not, the DNR says the events then become a candlelight hike, rather than a snowshoe or ski event.

These candlelight events are free, but you will need a vehicle permit to enter the park. And if you're taking part in an event that's on a groomed ski trail, you'll also need a Ski Pass. You can check out the schedule of events below:

• Saturday 01/11/25 - Candlelight Event - Lake Carlos State Park - Carlos, MN
• Saturday 01/11/25 -  Lantern Light Event - Itasca State Park - Park Rapids, MN
• Friday 01/24/25 - Gateway State Trail Candlelight Walk  - Gateway State Trail, Mahtomedi, MN
• Saturday 01/25/25 - Candlelight Hike - Blue Mounds State Park - Luverne, MN
• Saturday 01/25/25 - Candlelight Hike - Minneopa State Park - Mankato, MN
• Saturday 01/25/25 - Glow in the Snow Candlelight Snowshoe - Lake Bemidji State Park - Bemidji, MN
• Saturday 01/25/25 - Candlelight Event - Nerstrand Big Woods State Park - Nerstrand, MN
• Saturday 02/01/25  - Candlelight Walk - Afton State Park, Hastings, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Candlelight Event - Mille Lacs Kathio State Park - Onamia, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Candlelight Trails - Fort Ridgely State Park - Fairfax, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Twilight Trails Candlelight Ski - Lake Bemidji State Park - Bemidji, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Candlelight Event (Ski, Walk & Snowshoe) - Wild River State Park - Center City, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Candlelight Event - Lake Carlos State Park - Carlos, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Candlelight Event - Frontenac State Park - Frontenac, MN
• Saturday 02/08/25 - Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe, Walk event - Jay Cooke State Park - Carlton, MN
• Saturday 02/15/25 - Lantern Light Event - Itasca State Park - Park Rapids, MN
• Saturday 02/15/25 - Candlelight Event - Gooseberry Falls State Park - Two Harbors, MN
• Saturday 02/15/25 - Candlelight Event - Myre-Big Island State Park - Albert Lea, MN
• Saturday 02/15/25 - Lac qui Parle Lake Which Speaks Candlelight Hike - Lac Qui Parle State Park - Watson, MN
• Saturday 02/22/25 - Winter's Glow Candlelight Snowshoe - Big Bog State Recreation Area - Waskish, MN
• Saturday 02/22/25 - Candlelight Trek - Maplewood State Park - Pelican Rapids, MN

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