Mobile maps: Access to public lands
Whether it's an angler trying to find a boat access, or a hunter trying to find public hunting lands, or a hiker trying to find a hiking trail in a state park, a new DNR mobile website should help.
The "Recreational Compass'' website employs extensive maps to help users locate hunting lands, state parks and forests and a wide range of other recreational areas on mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
"There are 5.5 million acres of public recreational lands now in the palm of your hand,'' said Chris Niskanen, DNR communications director.
Users can search for detailed maps of virtually any state lands, including state forest, wildlife management areas, state parks and recreation areas, waterfowl production areas, aquatic management areas, and scientific and natural areas. It also includes state trails, including water trails, walk-in access areas, hunter walking trails and nearly 3,000 public water access sites.
The site also provides driving directions and links to other sites where users, for example, can buy hunting or fishing licenses or get detailed lake information from the DNR's popular "lakefinder'' site.
The site is at www.mndnr.gov/mobile/compass.
