Historic blizzard impacts MN state parks along North Shore; DNR warns of possible limited weekend access
Feb 20, 2026 09:28AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Cascade River State Park, MN DNR Facebook page
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 20, 2026
Following a record-breaking blizzard this week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a visitor warning stating that some state parks, forests, and waysides across Cook County, Grand Portage, and the rest of the North Shore are closed, inaccessible, or unstaffed, due to heavy drifting and unplowed roads. According to a Facebook post, the DNR said it expects these impacts to last through 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22. "Please be patient and give crews plenty of space as they work to reopen our facilities following this snow event," they said.
According ot the DNR, the following Cook County and Grand Portage state parks, forests, and waysides are impacted:
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 20, 2026
Following a record-breaking blizzard this week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a visitor warning stating that some state parks, forests, and waysides across Cook County, Grand Portage, and the rest of the North Shore are closed, inaccessible, or unstaffed, due to heavy drifting and unplowed roads. According to a Facebook post, the DNR said it expects these impacts to last through 12 p.m. on Sunday, February 22. "Please be patient and give crews plenty of space as they work to reopen our facilities following this snow event," they said.
According ot the DNR, the following Cook County and Grand Portage state parks, forests, and waysides are impacted:
State Parks: Grand Portage, Judge C.R. Magney, Cascade River, Temperance River, and George H. Crosby Manitou.
State Forests: Grand Portage and Pat Bayle state forests.
Waysides: Devils Track Falls, Kodonce River, and Ray Berglund.
A massive 48-hour blizzard buried the North Shore under several feet of snow, with Hovland recording a historic 38.6 inches. This total is expected to set a new 48-hour snowfall record for Cook County. While the Cook County Highway Department has since lifted the no-travel advisory, the sheer volume of snow continues to hinder access to some areas of the county.
