A day to celebrate public lands across the United States will have its moment in Minnesota, too.

National Public Lands Day events are happening across the state (bit.ly/npladay) Sept. 26, with a big event at Hidden Falls Park in St. Paul.

"With the Trust for Public Land recently naming St. Paul's park system as one of the best in the country, we have a lot to be proud of," said MIchael Hahm, St. Paul Parks Recreation director. "… We want to celebrate all our parks have to offer and the high value our residents put on being good stewards of them."

There will be a variety of free activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for everyone regardless of age, from paddling on the Mississippi River to geocaching with GPS devices. St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are putting on the Hidden Falls celebration.

National Public Lands Day originated in 1994 to promote conservation, stewardship and the use of public areas.