The National Parks Service has announced that they will eliminate the fees for visiting national parks on several weekends this summer, which includes two in Minnesota.  The two national monuments in Minnesota: The Grand Portage National Monument in the Arrowhead region up north, and The Pipestone National Monument in the southwestern part of the state will have no-fee visits on the weekends of June 20 & 21, July 18 & 19, and August 15 & 16.

Both sites are close enough to Minneapolis and St. Paul to make a great weekend staycation.  These are two Minnesota treasures that we often take for granted just because they’re so close to us.  I’ve been to Grand Portage and its spectacular scenery alone is worth the trip.  But the educational opportunity for your kids is beyond measure.  Plan on staying at least one night, or make these a destination along your way as you plan a longer trip.