Following a busy summer season during which the number of occupied campsites increased nine percent over 2008, business continues to boom at Minnesota state parks, according to the Minnesota DNR. Vehicle permit sales for September 2009 were the highest on record, with sales of annual permits up 36 percent from September 2008 and sales of daily permits up 32 percent.

One reason for the upswing may be that the DNR now markets state parks to young families. It expanded the number of family-oriented interpretive programs it offers at Minnesota state parks, launched an extremely popular statewide geocaching program, and built more camper cabins (25 were added in 2008 alone). It also has a much-improved Web site. New this holiday shopping season is Minnesota state parks gift card.

It can be used for camping, lodging, and vehicle permits, as well as for clothing, books, and other items sold at Minnesota state parks.

The gift card features a photo of the state’s highest waterfall, the main attraction at Grand Portage State Park in northeastern Minnesota and can be purchased by phone (1-866-85PARKS), online (stayatmnparks.com) or at Minnesota state parks and the DNR Information Center in St. Paul.

Through the holiday season, gift cards loaded with amounts ranging from $10 to $50 will randomly appear in the “Critter Caches” at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas statewide. Critter Caches are camouflaged containers hidden in every Minnesota state park and recreation area as part of the Geocaching Wildlife Safari. To find one of the caches, visitors can bring their own GPS unit to a Minnesota state park or visit one of the 25 GPS demo parks and borrow a GPS unit for free. Coordinates (along with a few hints on where to find the caches) are posted at the parks and online at mnstateparks.info.

Vehicle permits are required to enter Minnesota state parks. A one-day permit costs $5. Year-round permits, $25, provide unlimited access to Minnesota state parks for twelve months from the month of purchase.