Candlelight events at Minnesota State Parks are back. And it's a decades long tradition.
"People are always happy at these events, and I think a lot of us kind of get cabin fever in the winter," says Sara Berhow with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. "This is a really nice opportunity to go out and enjoy nature in a new way, get some fresh air, even if it's cold.
There are 20 events this year at 17 different locations.
"You can bring a flashlight if you want to, but you won't need to," explains Berhow. "There's a candle about every 15 feet or so, and a lot of these events get planned kind of on purpose when there's going to be a full moon."
If there's also snow, it enhances the experience even more, but no snow is in the forecast for most of Minnesota over the next week.
What is a candlelight event? It's an opportunity for people to hike, snowshoe or cross-country ski along lighted trails.
"The length of trail varies a little bit from one location to another, and if people are comfortable and want to do the entire trail great," Berhow says. "If that's a little bit too long you could just do part of them. Most of the trails are are shorter in length. Most are not more than one mile."
She says the trails are great for beginners and are kid friendly.
The first of 20 candlelight events at Minnesota State Parks is Friday night at Luce Line State Trail in Plymouth, and then move around the state through February. Visit the DNR website here for more information.
“Winter candlelight events are a magical way to experience Minnesota’s state parks, recreation areas and trails,” said Ann Pierce, director of Parks and Trails Division at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “There’s something truly special about walking a snowy trail under the glow of candlelight, where the quiet of the night and the sparkle of the snow create a peaceful escape. It’s a chance to slow down, connect with nature, spend time with friends and family and find beauty in the stillness of winter.”
Events calendar
01/03/25 Luce Line State Trail Candlelight Walk Luce Line State Trail, Plymouth
01/11/25 Candlelight Event Lake Carlos State Park
01/11/25 Lantern Light Event Itasca State Park
01/24/25 Gateway State Trail Candlelight Walk Gateway State Trail, Mahtomedi MN
01/25/25 Candlelight Hike Blue Mounds State Park
01/25/25 Candlelight Hike Minneopa State Park
01/25/25 Glow in the Snow Candlelight Snowshoe Lake Bemidji State Park
01/25/25 Candlelight Event Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
02/01/25 Afton State Park Candlelight Walk Afton State Park
02/08/25 Candlelight Event Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
02/08/25 Candlelight Trails Fort Ridgely State Park
02/08/25 Twilight Trails Candlelight Ski Lake Bemidji State Park
02/08/25 Candlelight Event (Ski, Walk & Snowshoe) Wild River State Park
02/08/25 Candlelight Event Lake Carlos State Park
02/08/25 Candlelight Event Frontenac State Park
02/08/25 Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe, Walk event - Volunteers needed Jay Cooke State Park
02/15/25 Lantern Light Event Itasca State Park
02/15/25 Candlelight Event Gooseberry Falls State Park
02/15/25 Candlelight Event Myre-Big Island State Park
02/15/25 Lac qui Parle Lake Which Speaks Candlelight Hike Lac Qui Parle State Park
02/22/25 Winter's Glow Candlelight Snowshoe Big Bog State Recreation Area
02/22/25 Candlelight Trek Maplewood State Park