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Where Beauty & Nature intersect

Blog-April 2021

Awakening to a new day   Like the bear that knocked down our bird feeder last night and scattered the small feeders around the yard, some of us feel like we’re ready to come out of hibernation and start swinging, at least in a measured way. Spring reminds us of hope, a fresh start. Sheep […]

Blog-February 2021

Peace and Calm preside   With Presidents Day weekend and Valentines’ Day on the calendar, head north where Peace and Calm preside. Their cabinet members are Quiet, Beauty and Recreation.   The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updates snow and trail conditions in weekly reports posted after 2 p.m. every Thursday at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html. Be sure […]

Blog

Fall in love with nature all over again Geese are migrating, fall colors are peaking and pine cones are plopping onto the deck. Fall chores may have to wait until you return from the north woods where you can still hike, bike or ride miles of ATV trails and take in the comforting scent of […]

Itasca State Park-Get Fall Color Updates

Fall Color Finder   Purchase a vehicle permit before you go and get a year of unlimited visits to all of Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas. Itasca State Park Zig-zag Goldenrod, closeup. (09/08/2020 ) – MNDNR Staff 0-10% past peak past peak Updated September 23, 2020 Where to go WOW! and Beautiful, words that best describe anywhere […]

April 2020 It’s a ‘silent spring’

As we stay home to protect ourselves, families, friends and neighbors, “silent spring” has taken on new meaning. It’s so quiet, we can practically hear the snow melting.   Wildlife isn’t sheltering in place though. Swans, geese, ducks and even a few loons are returning. Spring is teasing us and will continue to reveal her […]

February 2020 Embrace the Bold North

Need an excuse to head north? With Valentine’s Day, a three-day weekend and snow depths up to our eyeballs, it’s a great time to visit.   Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails will take you places you might never find in the summer time – and there are no mosquitoes. Or explore the forest […]

Wish list done: wrap up plans for a trip up north

  It’s all here: snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, cultural experiences, you name it. Connect with nature and your family for a memorable holiday season. A week or a weekend in Park Rapids and Itasca State Park will not disappoint and make memories for years to come.   Some snow blankets the ground and […]

Naturally, fall may be the best season of all

With an unseasonably late first frost, fall colors in the woods and along roads and trails remain vibrant and fall colors have not peaked yet. Gardeners are enjoying the extended season and the fall crop harvest is well underway. When temperatures shift, fog veils the picturesque landscape of stacked bales of hay and wetlands. Some […]

September 2019 Discover fall’s beauty and fun in the Heartland Lakes

Brilliant yellow sunflowers are washing fields and scarlet red leaves are showing on maples here and there. The northern landscape will soon ripen with fall colors so breathtaking you won’t be able to resist a drive, bike ride or walk to take them all in. Or jump on an ATV trail and explore the back […]

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Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber, a Partner of Explore Minnesota Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Northwoods Bank, Partner of Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber Citizen's Bank in Park Rapids, MN Park Rapids Downtown Business Association Park Rapids Lakes Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau