ST. PAUL — The public will be able to access some private property starting Monday, Sept. 1, through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Walk-In Access program.
By purchasing a $3 Walk-In Access validation, individuals can access some 30,000 acres of private land at more than 280 sites. The access lasts through May 31, 2026.
While the program is geared toward providing access for hunting, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said more than 20,000 of those acres are also open to other public uses like bird watching and nature photography.
Walk-In Access sites are largely concentrated in southern and western Minnesota, but there are sites in four Northern Minnesota counties: Cass, Norman, Becker and Mahnomen.
Walk-In Access sites can be found on the DNR's website, as can the full rules associated with the program.
