Glossary

Accessible

Designed to accommodate mobility impairments. May or may not meet formal ADA guidelines.

All-terrain vehicles (ATV)

Unpaved trails where ATVs are allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Amphitheater

Outdoor terraced seating around a stage area.

Athletic field

Polo, soccer, or other groomed field.

Bicycling

Paved trails where biking is allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Boat launch

A public water access designed to accommodate boat trailers and motorboats, with parking nearby. Swimming and fishing are not allowed at boat launches.

Cabin

Fully furnished. Some have indoor plumbing and fireplaces; most have either a full kitchen or a kitchenette. Some are seasonal, others year-round. Cabins range from quite modern to nearly a century old.

Camper cabin

Rustic, one-room cabins that sleep up to six people. Bunk beds and mattresses are provided; bring your own bedding. Some are accessible, and many have heat and electricity.

Campground (vehicle or tent)

Will have a fire ring, picnic table, access to toilet facilities, and a clearing for a tent.

Canoe/kayak access (sometimes also called carry-in access)

Public water access for smaller boats, with parking nearby. Not generally large enough for boat trailers or motorboats. Swimming and fishing are not allowed.

Cart-in campsite

Rustic campsite with no drive-up access. Off-site parking a half mile or less away, with a trail leading to the site. Carts are provided to help carry your gear.

Council ring

Large firepit encircled by benches.

County park

Dam

Park office

Staffed office. May have restrooms; self-guided information and interpretation; and gift or convenience items for sale.

Dock

A place for boats to moor, but not to launch. Tourboats may board here.

Dogsledding

Groomed trail for dogsledding. Skijoring may or may not be permitted.

Drinking water

Pump or water fountain.

Dumpster

Established trash area. May also include recycling.

Equestrian campground

Special camping area where people can camp with their horses. Each site will have a fire ring, picnic table, clearing for tent, hitching rails, manure bin, water, trailer parking, and access to toilet facilities. Some have optional electric hook-ups.

Equestrian rest area

Riding trail pull-off area with hitching rails. Generally includes toilet facilities, water, and seating.

Fireplace/woodstove

Indoor, wood-burning.

Fire tower

Currently in use for fire spotting, not open to the public.

Fish cleaning shelter

Dedicated building for cleaning fish. Will have tables, sinks, and trash cans.

Fish hatchery

DNR office for fish management.

Fishing pier

Generally near parking, with a hard surface path from the parking area. Many are accessible.

Forestry nursery

DNR office for forestry management.

Gas

Fuel available for sale. May include propane.

Gas stove

Indoor, gas or propane-burning.

Gate

Gates are set up and closed to signify unsafe or unusable trails. Do not go into a gated area.

Geologic marker

Area of geologic significance. Generally includes some sort of signage or self-guided interpretation.

Gift shop

Golf course

Maintained golf course, open to public players for a fee.

Grocery store

Basic food items available.

Group center

Designed to accommodate large groups of 60-120 people. Some have sleeping facilities, others do not. All will have a dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms.

Guesthouse

Generally, a guesthouse is the same as a cabin except that it was once an occupied residence. Guesthouses are fully furnished, and range from quite modern to nearly a century old. Some have indoor plumbing and fireplaces; most have either a full kitchen or a kitchenette. Some are seasonal, others year-round.

Hike-in campground

No drive-up access. Parking a half mile or more away. Will have a fire ring, picnic table, clearing for tent, primitive toilet facilities.

Hiking

Unpaved trail for hiking. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Historic site

Designated historic area. Generally includes some sort of signage or self-guided interpretation.

Horseback riding

Unpaved trail where horses are allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Hospital or First Aid station

Hostel

Privately operated lodging at Itasca State Park.

Information

Self-service information.

Interpretive center

Self-guided information and interpretation. Unstaffed.

Lighthouse

Lodge

Full kitchen and full bathroom. Larger than a cabin.

Lodging

Some sort of indoor sleeping quarters. Lodging in state parks generally refers to camper cabins, cabins, guesthouses, and lodges. Other lodging occasionally includes privately owned facilities as well, most often when used to indicate lodging along a trail rather than within a state park.

Marina

Slips or safe refuge available to public boaters for a fee.

Mountain biking

Managed, unpaved trails where mountain biking is allowed. It may or may not be a dedicated mountain biking singletrack trail; some mountain biking trails may have other types of activities along the trail.

Nature observation

Area for viewing nature.

Nature programs

Naturalist-led programs. Most are family friendly and suitable for people of all ages.

Observation Tower

Fire tower or other tall structure that may be open to the public.

Off-highway motorcycles (OHM)

Unpaved trails where off-highway motorcycles are allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Off-road vehicles (ORV)

Unpaved trails where off-road vehicles are allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Outfitter

Privately owned service for water recreation outfitting. May provide rentals, transportation, or other services.

Overlook

Area for viewing outstanding scenery.

Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboard rentals available.

Parking

Pay phone

Picnic area

Will have picnic tables and nearby parking. Some have toilet facilities.

Picnic shelter

Open-sided shelter with roof and picnic tables.

Point of interest

Historic, geologic, or other point of interest. Generally includes some sort of signage or self-guided interpretation.

Playground

Primitive group camp

Designed for groups that want to set up multiple tents in close proximity to one another. No drive-up access, parking is a half mile or more away. Will have fire rings, picnic tables, tent clearings, water, and primitive toilet facilities.

Primitive toilet

Non-flushing toilet with toilet paper. No running water.

Recycling station

Rentals

May include canoes, kayaks, motors, boats, snowshoes, skis, or other.

Resort

Rest area

Will have a parking area and picnic table. Some have toilet facilities.

Restaurant

Sit-down dining.

Restrooms

Flush toilets and running water. May be seasonal only.

Restroom shower building

Flush toilets and running water, with one or more shower stall. May be seasonal only.

Rock climbing

Self-guided or organized outdoor rock climbing.

RV campground

RV camping only. Electrical and water hookups, access to toilet facilities.

RV sanitation station

Dump and fill.

Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)

DNR designated areas for scientific and natural preservation.

Sea kayaking

Open water kayaking, not suited to river kayaks.

Shelter

Open air shelter with roof.

Shelter/campsite

Designed for tents; an open-sided shelter with a roof.

Shooting range

Fee-based outdoor shooting range.

Shore fishing

Beach or other cleared area designed for shore fishing.

Shower

One or more shower stall. No toilets.

Single campsite

More privacy than other campsites. Will have a fire ring, picnic table, access to toilet facilities, and a clearing for tent.

Skiing

Groomed trails dedicated to either cross-country or skate skiing. Walking, snowshoeing and other activities are not allowed on groomed ski trails.

Skijoring

Groomed ski area where skijoring is allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail. Skijorers must stay off groomed cross-country ski trails.

Sledding hill

Snowmobiling

Groomed trails where snowmobiling is allowed. There may also be other types of activities along the trail.

Snack bar

"Grab and go" food.

Snowshoeing

Trails groomed for snowshoeing. Snowshoeing is also allowed anywhere except on groomed cross-country ski trails.

Spelunking

Self-guided or organized cave tours.

Storm shelter

Designated area in which to shelter during severe weather.

Swimming

Managed area for public swimming.

Tipi

Heavy canvas structure on a permanent wooden platform. Not furnished, no electricity. Picnic table and fire ring outside; no cooking of open flames inside a tipi.

Tour boat

Fee-based guided tours.

Trail center

Visitor center with a specific trail purpose like horse riding or skiing. May have rentals.

Visitor center

Self-guided information and interpretation. Staff available. Indoor bathroom with flush toilets.

Volleyball court

Walk-in campground

No drive-up access. Parking within one half mile. Will have a fire ring, picnic table, clearing for tent, primitive toilet facilities.

Wall tent

10 x 12 foot unfurnished canvas tent on a low wooden platform with a ramp for accessibility. Drive-up access. Modern restrooms nearby.

Watercraft campsite

Minimally maintained campsite accessible from the water. Will have a fire ring, primitive toilet facilities, and clearings for tent and watercraft.

Waterfall

Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

DNR designated areas for wildlife management.

Wildlife/waterfowl production area

Protected nesting or other habitat area.

Winter camping

No running water or electricity. Site and trail access will be plowed or shoveled, and there will be a picnic table and fire ring.

Yurt

An insulated round canvas tent set on a wooden platform, generally available year-round. Each yurt has windows, a domed roof, wood floor, bunk beds, a table and chairs or stools, and a wood-burning stove. No drive-up access.