Frontenac State Park

Nov. 25 is ‘Free Park Day’ at state parks

Nov 23, 2022

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will waive entrance fees to all 75 state parks and recreation areas Friday, Nov. 25 — the day after Thanksgiving. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the vehicle permit requirement to enter state parks and...

State park celebrates 65th anniversary on Saturday

Sep 28, 2022

Frontenac State Park is celebrating its 65th Anniversary of being a state park on Saturday, Oct. 1. In addition to the fall colors, a series of free family-friendly events are planned throughout the day (dependent upon the weather). These include a Frontenac State Park Highlights display (9 a.m...

State park birding walk is Aug. 27

Aug 17, 2022

The public is invited to Pine Loop Birding Walk at Frontenac State Park on Aug. 27. “Walk along mixed prairie and forest trails to the Pine Loop and back. Hope to see a wide variety of forest and prairie dwelling birds including migrating warblers,” according to a news release. “Bring binoculars...

Walkers explore state park

Aug 17, 2022

On Aug. 10 the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group walkers ventured out to the Frontenac State Park prairie that led to a wildlife observation blind above Pleasant Valley Lakelet, the pond that is on the right side of Hwy. 61 as we head to Red Wing before entering Frontenac Station. This is the first...

Sand Point Trail a favorite for Walking Lake Pepin participants

Aug 3, 2022

Sand Point Trail in Frontenac State Park is one of “Walking Lake Pepin’s” (WLP) favorite trails and the group walks it every year if conditions are right. The WLP group walked the trail Wednesday July 20. The 1.9 mile walk starts across Wabasha County 2 at the wayside rest on Hwy. 61. The trail...

Prairie trail birding walk at Frontenac State Park

Jun 22, 2022

The public is invited to a prairie trail birding walk at Frontenac State Park, on Saturday, June 25, at 8 a.m. “Walk the Prairie Trail and along the forested edge of Pleasant Valley Lakelet. Hope to see and hear prairie and forest birds including meadowlarks, Dicksissels, bluebirds, various...

Frontenac State Park visits in 2021 down from peak, still way above pre-COVID levels

Mar 23, 2022

Editor’s note: A version of this report first appeared in the Florence Township annual newsletter. Our 2021 deer hunt saw 46 hunters in the park on November 20-21, who harvested a total of 25 deer. The slightly-lower-than-average take was likely due to poor weather, with it being warm enough on...

Candlelight hike in Frontenac State Park

Feb 16, 2022

People had the opportunity to walk, snowshoe, or ski over a mile of trail lit by luminarias Saturday, Feb. 12 at Frontenac State Park. Bonfires and a heated shack with treats awaited trailgoers who needed a warm up. At right, a trio of hikers pass by a luminaria as they head out along the course....

State park association awards Wally Siewert a Golden Leaf

Feb 16, 2022

Wally Siewert worked his entire career at Frontenac State Park. He was the lead maintenance worker officially but was the go-to person for so many park projects as well as a go between when working with the community. Having lived his entire life within and adjacent to it, he knew every corner of...

Stüff begins, continues all month

Feb 9, 2022

A monthlong series of outdoor winter activities known as Winter Stüff began Saturday, Feb. 5, with snowshoeing, hiking, and skiing at Hok-Si-La Park and a bonfire and ice golf at Kelly’s Lakehouse. “Since there is no official Winterfest this year a group of community members collaborated to...