OutdoorMN News - After strong winds and storm, state park campgrounds open

[Rick]

Tree down by Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center, Itasca State Park.

In the wake of a storm that hit northern Minnesota early Thursday, Department of Natural Resources’ crews are busy working to clean up the damage and reopen facilities.

The DNR recommends visitors check the closures webpage for current information on state parks, recreation areas and state forest campgrounds.

Conditions continue to change as power is restored and crews clean up areas that were damaged.

All visitors and staff are safe and no serious injuries were reported in the aftermath.

Most of the state’s 75 state parks and recreation areas, 25 state trails and state forest campgrounds and trails were not affected by the storm. For some of those that were, here are the latest updates:

Itasca State Park campgrounds are open and most lodging facilities will reopen at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 23. There are still some temporary closures of remote campsites, group camps and lodging facilities. Visitors affected by the closures are being contacted by the DNR.

An emergency crew of about 30 is on-site cutting downed trees, cleaning up debris and making trails passable. The park is gradually opening facilities as areas are being cleared of downed trees and debris.

Check the Itasca State Park page for the most current conditions. Douglas Lodge restaurant will reopen on Saturday. The Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and Wilderness Drive continue to be closed and Itasca’s phone system is still down.

Savanna Portage State Park will provide rustic camping only, until power can be restored. Visitors will have hand pumps for water and the use of vault toilets. Shower buildings will be closed. The DNR is notifying campers of the rustic conditions.

Greer Lake Forest Recreation Area campground is temporarily closed.

Clint Converse Forest Recreation Area campground is partially closed.

Paul Bunyan State Trail from Lake Bemidji State Park through the city of Bemidji is open but has a lot of debris on it that will be cleaned up next week. The stretch of trail from Bemidji to Walker is not recommended for use at this time.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.