Regarding the Minnesota Anual Horse Trail Pass, and FAQs: What is the Horse Trail Pass?Authorized in 2006 and effective January 1, 2007, a person 16 years of age or over shall carry and display a valid horse trail pass while riding, leading, or driving a horse on horse trails and associated day use areas on state trails, in state parks, in state recreation areas, and in state forests.
Authorized in 2006 and effective January 1, 2007, a person 16 years of age or over shall carry and display a valid horse trail pass while riding, leading, or driving a horse on horse trails and associated day use areas on state trails, in state parks, in state recreation areas, and in state forests.What does the Horse Trail Pass cost?The fee for an annual horse trail pass is $21, ($20 plus a $1 issuing fee) for an individual 16 years of age or over. Annual passes are valid for one year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. The fee for a daily horse trail pass is $5 ($4 plus a $1 issuing fee). The daily pass is valid only for the date shown. The fee for an annual horse trail pass is $21, ($20 plus a $1 issuing fee) for an individual 16 years of age or over. Annual passes are valid for one year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. The fee for a daily horse trail pass is $5 ($4 plus a $1 issuing fee). The daily pass is valid only for the date shown.Does the Pass go with the person or with the horse?Each person needs to have their own signed pass and must “…carry (it) in their immediate possession and visibly display the pass on their person or horse tack…” The pass is valid only for the individual whose name and signature are on that pass.Each needs to have their own signed pass and must “…carry (it) in their immediate possession and visibly display the pass on their person or horse tack…” The pass is valid only for the individual whose name and signature are on that pass.Examples include:
Each needs to have their own signed pass and must “…carry (it) in their immediate possession and visibly display the pass on their person or horse tack…” The pass is valid only for the individual whose name and signature are on that pass.Examples include:When two people are riding the same horse, they would both need a horse pass.
Only the driver of a horse and buggy would need a pass; any passengers would not be required to have a pass.
Should a person be riding one horse and leading another horse (without a rider), the person needs only one pass.
If a stable brings a horse onto a designated trail with different riders throughout the day, each rider needs their own horse pass.
Is a Pass required to ride other animals, such as a mule or donkey?Yes. “Horse” includes a horse, mule, donkey, llama, alpaca, or other ungulate or ruminant that is used to transport people, equipment, or materials. Yes. “Horse” includes a horse, mule, donkey, llama, alpaca, or other ungulate or ruminant that is used to transport people, equipment, or materials.Where can a Pass be purchased?Horse passes may be purchased from DNR authorized Electronic License Service (ELS) vendors, located across the state. (Where fishing and hunting licenses are sold.) Visit the DNR website to find the agent nearest you, at www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html Or you can follow this link to purcahse your pass on line: https://www1.wildlifelicense.com/mn/Horse passes may be purchased from DNR authorized Electronic License Service (ELS) vendors, located across the state. (Where fishing and hunting licenses are sold.) Visit the DNR website to find the agent nearest you, at Or you can follow this link to purcahse your pass on line:Ideally, the trail user would acquire a pass prior to arriving at the horse trail facility. In the event that he or she did not purchase a pass prior to arrival, a self-registration envelope system will be available.
Horse passes may be purchased from DNR authorized Electronic License Service (ELS) vendors, located across the state. (Where fishing and hunting licenses are sold.) Visit the DNR website to find the agent nearest you, at Or you can follow this link to purcahse your pass on line:Ideally, the trail user would acquire a pass prior to arriving at the horse trail facility. In the event that he or she did not purchase a pass prior to arrival, a self-registration envelope system will be available.Are there any differences in how the Pass works at these facility types?If a state park, trail or forest provides horse trails and facilities or horse use is permitted, then a horse trail pass is required to use those horse trails and facilities. (Not all state parks or all state trails provide horse facilities.) A trail pass is required when riding within a state park and in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. routes to avoid conflicting use. Forest roads can be posted to prohibit horses.If a state park, trail or forest provides horse trails and facilities or horse use is permitted, then a horse trail pass is required to use those horse trails and facilities. (Not all state parks or all state trails provide horse facilities.) A trail pass is required when riding within a state park and in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. routes to avoid conflicting use. Forest roads can be posted to prohibit horses.Will a Horse Trail Pass be required to ride a horse on a forest road?A horse trail pass will only be required if the horse is being ridden on a forest road that is also posted as a horse trail.
If a state park, trail or forest provides horse trails and facilities or horse use is permitted, then a horse trail pass is required to use those horse trails and facilities. (Not all state parks or all state trails provide horse facilities.) A trail pass is required when riding within a state park and in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest. routes to avoid conflicting use. Forest roads can be posted to prohibit horses.A horse trail pass will only be required if the horse is being ridden on a forest road that is also posted as a horse trail.How will the fees be used?The statute says “..One hundred percent of the funds raised by the sale of this pass will be used to benefit DNR horse facilities, seeking to provide a consistent, quality experience all across Minnesota. The Division of Trails and Waterways will determine horse pass project priorities, in consultation with other divisional representatives. In addition, a committee made up of horse community representatives and users will advise the Division on project priorities. The statute says “..One hundred percent of the funds raised by the sale of this pass will be used to benefit DNR horse facilities, seeking to provide a consistent, quality experience all across Minnesota. The Division of Trails and Waterways will determine horse pass project priorities, in consultation with other divisional representatives. In addition, a committee made up of horse community representatives and users will advise the Division on project priorities.Will the Pass provide all the funds needed to operate the DNR’s horse facilitieS? No.No.This description is condensed an dparaphrased. FOllow this link to read the full MN-DNR pass program description: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/outdoor_activities/horseback_riding/horsepass.htmlNo.This description is condensed an dparaphrased. FOllow this link to read the full MN-DNR pass program description:Submitted by Greg P., 2007 SRSC Trails Chair
No.This description is condensed an dparaphrased. FOllow this link to read the full MN-DNR pass program description:Submitted by Greg P., 2007 SRSC Trails ChairFollow up question submitted to the DNR:
It looks like we as horse trail rides will need to purchase the annual
pass.
There are a number of horse trail areas that already charge a daily or
annual fee for trail access. Is’nt this an “over-lapping” or compounding
of fees?
If I have the MN annual pass, do I not have to pay “area” trail fees?
What about State Parks? We already pay an entry fee to access trails?
Greg P.
Their response:
Yes, you will need to purchase the horse trail pass. It is required for
riding state trails, state parks, state forests and in state recreation
areas. Here is an online map of where it will be needed:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/horseback_riding/location_map.html .
If the horse trails you use are private and charging a daily or annual
fee, they may still charge you for the use of their trails, as they are
not state trails.
You will need the horse trail pass to use horse trails in state parks,
the funds generated from these passes will help maintain and someday
improve horse trails in parks, state forest, etc.
Suellen Rau, Supervisor
Information Center
MN Department of Natural Resources
Bureau of Information & Education
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
651/296-6157
Suellen.rau@dnr.state.mn.us