Springtime tradition of making maple syrup

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Springtime tradition of making maple syrup at Minnesota state parks
(Released March 8, 2010)


Families can have sweet fun participating in the spring ritual of making maple syrup during programs being offered at several Minnesota state parks this month.

Participants of all ages will learn how to tap trees, collect and cook sap, and even taste a sample of pure, sweet maple syrup. Some events are demonstrations only; others  provide hands-on opportunities to participate in each step of the process, from drilling holes in the trees to boiling the sap until most of the water content evaporates. It usually takes 30-40 gallons of sap to get one gallon of pure maple syrup.

Maple sap runs best when daytime temperatures are in the high 30s to mid-40s and overnight temperatures are below freezing. This cycle of above-freezing days and below-freezing nights needs to continue for several days. Some sap may flow as early as January or as late as May, but the typical time for a “good” sap run in Minnesota is from about March 15 to April 20.

The maple syrup programs are free, but a vehicle permit ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit) is required to enter the parks, and registration is   required for some programs.

A schedule of maple syrup programs at Minnesota state parks is available online. For more information, call 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-MINNDNR.