Surge in visitors to state parks isn’t letting up

Published 9:18 am Friday, September 18, 2015

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota state parks officials say a surge in visitors isn’t letting up and they expect the trend to continue as fall colors spread across the state.

A post-Labor Day report from the Department of Natural Resources says year-to-date sales of one-day permits are up 16 percent over the same period last year. Sales of year-round permits are up 12 percent. Overnight stays are up 9 percent.

Park officials first reported the surge after the Independence Day holiday weekend. They say the latest results continue a trend of steady increases in recent years.

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