Photo by Jared Winter April Ide, Library Director of the New Ulm Public Library, holds one of the Minnesota State Park Library Passes now available for checkout.

NEW ULM – Minnesotans now have a new way to experience the outdoors for free through their local libraries.

Library cardholders across the state now have a new way to explore the outdoors at no cost. In a growing effort to connect Minnesotans with nature, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is expanding its popular library park pass program.

In partnership with over 200 libraries and bookmobiles, the DNR is offering seven-day passes to state parks and recreation areas, available for checkout just like a book. The program, originally piloted in 2018 and launched statewide in 2021, allows library patrons to borrow a pass and visit any of Minnesota’s 75 state parks and recreation areas for free.

Starting July 1, the program has more than doubled in size, both in the number of passes and participating libraries.

New Ulm Public Library is among the newest additions to the program. Although the library didn’t qualify in 2021 due to the city’s median income level, changes to the program’s eligibility opened the door this year.

“They expanded it to include libraries near public state parks, and because we’re so close to Flandrau State Park, we now qualify,” said April Ide, New Ulm Public Library Director. “We’re really excited to participate.”

Checking out a pass is simple.

“Just come to the library, check one out, and put the pass in your vehicle’s dashboard,” Ide said. “It’s good for seven days. When it expires, you don’t have to return it, just recycle it.”

Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and each pass grants access to a single vehicle. The DNR hopes the program will reduce barriers to outdoor recreation and encourage more Minnesotans to explore the state’s natural beauty.

For more information on participating libraries or park locations, visit the Minnesota DNR website.