Walk-In Access areas will be open for public use beginning Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026, with the purchase of a $3 Walk-In Access validation.
The Walk-In Access program pays landowners to allow public access to their property without additional landowner contact. This year, there are around 30,000 acres of private land at more than 280 Walk-In Access sites in west, central and southern Minnesota.
Of the 30,000 acres enrolled in the program, more than 20,000 acres will be open to public uses in addition to hunting, such as bird watching, nature photography and similar compatible uses. To search for Walk-In Access sites, identify sites open to all compatible uses, find digital maps for individual sites, and get more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website (mndnr.gov/walkin). Additionally, all Walk-In Access sites are shown on the DNR Recreation Compass (mndnr.gov/maps/compass.html).
Current funding for the program includes a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Walk-In Access validations purchased by hunters, a surcharge on nonresident hunting licenses and donations from hunters.
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