Great discoveries should be rewarded and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced ways the public can enjoy free nights of camping and discounted prices by visiting Minnesota state parks this summer.

Visitors who camp for two nights, Sunday through Thursday, at any of Minnesota state park’s 38 "Familiar Favorite" campgrounds will receive a coupon for one free night of camping at a "Discovery" park, according to Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation.

Also, the regular camping rate of $18 per night is discounted by $3 at 18 Discovery parks.

"All Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas offer great outdoor experiences in spectacular settings," said Nelson. "While campgrounds in many state parks are booked to capacity on weekends, in a number of other parks, the campgrounds have plenty of room. To encourage visitors to discover these parks, the camping rate is $15 per night at these Discovery parks, instead of the regular rate of $18 per night. At Discovery parks, except for holidays, campsites usually are available on weekends as well as mid-week throughout the summer and fall."

Visitors who camp at least two nights from Sunday through Thursday at the regular-priced "Familiar Favorite" parks can earn the free night of camping coupon, Nelson said. That coupon can be earned through July 31, excluding holidays.

"Coupons can be redeemed for a free night of camping at Discovery parks seven days a week from June 1 through Aug. 30, excluding Fourth of July weekend (June 30 - July 4)," Nelson added.

The coupon covers the cost of the campsite only and does not include any other amenities such as electricity or sewer and water hook-ups. Also, the summer camping offer does not apply to campsites in equestrian campgrounds or group camps, or for lodging.

Coupons are available at the office or contact station in state parks.

The Discovery parks are: Beaver Creek Valley, Caledonia; Big Stone Lake, Ortonville; Camden, Lynd; Fort Ridgely, Fairfax; Glacial Lakes, Starbuck; Hayes Lake, Roseau; Kilen Woods, Lakefield; Lac qui Parle, Watson; Lake Bronson, Lake Bronson; Lake Louise, LeRoy; Minneopa, Mankato; Monson Lake, Sunburg; Myre-Big Island, Albert Lea; Old Mill, Argyle; Red River, East Grand Forks; Split Rock Creek, Jasper; Upper Sioux Agency, Granite Falls; and Zippel Bay, Williams.

Familiar favorite parks include: Banning, Sandstone; Bear Head Lake, Ely; Big Bog, Waskish; Blue Mounds, Luverne; Buffalo River, Glyndon; Cascade River, Lutsen; Charles Lindbergh, Little Falls; Crow Wing, Brainerd; Father Hennepin, Isle; Flandrau, New Ulm; Forestville/Mystery Cave, Preston; Frontenac, Frontenac; Glendalough, Battle Lake; Gooseberry Falls, Two Harbors; Great River Bluffs, Winona; Interstate, Taylors Falls; Itasca, Park Rapids; Jay Cooke, Carlton; Judge Magney, Grand Marais; Lake Bemidji, Bemidji; Lake Carlos, Carlos; Lake Shetek, Currie; Maplewood, Pelican Rapids; McCarthy Beach (Side Lake Campground), Side Lake; Mille Lacs Kathio, Onamia; Moose Lake, Moose Lake; Nerstrand Big Woods, Nerstrand; St. Croix, Hinckley; Sakatah Lake, Waterville; Savanna Portage, McGregor; Scenic, Big Fork; Sibley, New London; Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors; Temperance River, Schroeder; Tettegouche, Silver Bay; Whitewater, Altura; Wild River, Center City; and William O'Brien, Marine on St. Croix.

For camping rates at all state parks, visit www.mnstateparks.info and select fees from the menu. On the fees page, select any of the underlined campsite types in blue for a list of parks in that category.

For more information, contact the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).