Do This Now: Get outside and hike, paddle or hunt fossils

Weekend events at state and regional parks are plentiful across the metro.

September 3, 2015 at 9:57PM
Paddling opportunities are plenty.
Paddling opportunities are plenty. (Robert Timmons/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Paddleboard lesson

Cleary Lake Regional Park

5-7 p.m. Friday

Head to Prior Lake for a lesson. Equipment provided. The paddleboards available at Three Rivers Park District have a manufacturer's recommended weight limit of 220-250 pounds. Beginning participants at or above the manufacturer's recommended weight limit may experience difficulty standing or balancing while on the boards. Cost is $35 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 and reference activity number 424511-01. For ages 14 and older. There is a similar session from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. Call to reserve a slot, and reference activity number 424511-02. (threeriversparks.org)

Women's nature hike

Fort Snelling State Park

9-10:30 a.m. Saturday

Join a park naturalist for a morning hike and learn how the flood plain forest transitions from a hot summer to a cold and bitter Minnesota winter. (612-725-2724, www.mndnr.gov)

Family canoeing

Cleary Lake Regional Park

1-3 p.m. Saturday

Learn the basics of canoeing from safety to paddle strokes. Equipment provided. Cost is $15, and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 and reference activity number 424501-13. Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by a registered adult. (threeriversparks.org)

Geocache challenge

Interstate State Park

10-11 a.m. Saturday

Are you a geocacher itching for a new challenge? Put your geocaching skills to the test by using clues to locate creatively camouflaged caches the size of a glue stick. GPS units and a refresher on their use will be provided. Meet at the park office (campground entrance of the park). (651-465-5711, www.mndnr.gov)

Fossil field trip

Whitewater State Park

10-11 a.m. Saturday

On this trip you will find, and can keep, fossils of plants and animals. Bring transportation. The site is 9 miles from the park. (1-507-932-3007, www.mndnr.gov)

Build a bison

Minneopa State Park

7-8 p.m. Saturday

Find out how bison differ from buffalo, how they live in harsh conditions and how the arrival of Europeans affected them. Meet at the group campground. (507-389-5464, www.mndnr.gov)

Antique train ride

William O'Brien State Park

10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday

Walk a mile to the train tracks, then board an antique train with a naturalist and a conductor who will take you on a tour of the St. Croix Valley. Meet at the park visitor center. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for kids under ages 4 to 16, and free for children age 3 and younger. (651-433-0500)

about the writer

about the writer

More from No Section

See More

Kyiv was targeted with waves of drone and missile attacks overnight into Friday in the largest aerial assault since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, officials said, amid a renewed Russian push to capture more of its neighbor's land.