Scavenger hunt adventures return to most Minnesota parks this summer

Let the scavenger hunting begin! Parks & Trails Council is bringing back the popular scavenger hunts to most Minnesota State Parks, plus four local parks this summer. These hunts are a great way for park-goers to hone their observation skills and learn to identify some of the diversity of species in the parks. 

Participants can begin the hunts by going online to parksandtrails.org/events/2022-hunts and clicking the link for a specific park. The hunt guide features photos and descriptions of 22 select species from the following categories: mushrooms, birds, reptiles, wildflowers, trees, and arthropods. Once found, users check off the item within the online-hosted app.

Whether you find one or all 22 items, you can submit your completed hunt in a weekly drawing for a $20 Minnesota State Parks gift card. The gift cards can be used for vehicle permits, overnight stays, rental equipment, or more. Select parks offer additional prize drawings of a $25 gift card, which are sponsored by Friends Groups and will be awarded at the end of the season.

The hunts include a mix of items—from relatively easy, such as an ant, to challenging, such as an Artist’s Conk mushroom—which makes it fun for all ages, from youth to adult. “It’s a great activity for caregivers and children to do together,” says Parks & Trails Council external relations director Lisa Filter. “The photos help identify the items and can spur everyone to explore their surroundings in a new way.”