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Now at Slayton Public Library and Fulda Memorial Library, you can check out a 7-day state park pass with your library card, thanks to a partnership between the Minnesota DNR and Plum Creek Library System (PCLS).
In partnership with over 200 libraries and bookmobiles across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is expanding the popular library park pass program, which provides access to state parks and recreation areas at no cost to library patrons.
Anyone with a PCLS library card in good standing may check out the pass.
This pass covers one vehicle’s entry fee to any state park or recreation area in Minnesota.
The pass needs to be picked up in person. It cannot be delivered digitally or via interlibrary loan. Remember to bring your PCLS library card!
The 7-day period starts on the day you check out the pass.
At the state park or recreation area, display the pass in your vehicle’s windshield.
Learn more at the Minnesota State Parks Library Program at mndnr.gov/librarypass #checkoutMNstatesparks.
A 2024 survey of people using library park passes found that most respondents checked out a pass to save money, and the cost of a vehicle permit was a barrier. Some survey respondents noted they were not frequent state park visitors and were looking to try a state park before they buy a permit.
“Data from the past several years tells us that the average household income of people using the library pass program is lower than the average household income of all state park visitors, indicating the program is reaching households that may otherwise have more of an economic barrier to visiting a state park,” said Arielle Courtney, partnership development consultant and program manager.
The cost of the passes available through this program is covered by the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, while partnering libraries facilitate the checkout process. To see a list of participating libraries, visit mndnr. gov/librarypass.
Library park passes only cover the vehicle entrance fee. If participants would like to camp, they will need to make and pay for camping reservations, either online at mndnr.gov/reservations or by phone at 866857-2757.
