Voyageurs Astronomy Workshop
Voyageurs Astronomy Workshop | October 9–11, 2026
Spend a weekend under some of the darkest skies in the Midwest and build the skills to explore the night sky with confidence.
The Voyageurs Astronomy Workshop is an immersive three-day, two-night astronomy experience for amateur astronomers, aspiring stargazers, and dark sky enthusiasts at Voyageurs National Park, an International Dark Sky Park.
Led by astronomy educators Jesse Gates and Bob “Astro Bob” King, this small-group workshop combines hands-on instruction, guided observing, and time beneath the exceptional dark skies of Voyageurs. Whether you're just getting started or want to become more confident with your own equipment, the weekend is designed to make astronomy approachable, practical, and exciting.
Throughout the workshop, participants will learn to navigate the night sky, identify constellations, planets, and deep-sky objects, and develop practical telescope and observing skills. Evening sessions will put those skills into practice through guided stargazing and opportunities to observe through high-quality telescopes under truly dark skies.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own telescope or binoculars for personalized guidance with setup, operation, finding objects, and getting more from their equipment.
With a small group of participants and two experienced instructors, there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, practice new skills, and learn at your own pace.
By the end of the weekend, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of the night sky and the confidence and practical skills to continue exploring the universe from your own backyard.
No prior astronomy experience is required—just curiosity and a desire to look up.
Meet Your Instructor: Jesse Gates
The retreat is led by Jesse Gates, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, former National Park Service Interpretive Ranger, and Voyageurs Conservancy's Dark Sky Initiative Coordinator.
Jesse has spent years inspiring people of all ages to explore the night sky through hands-on astronomy education. After earning his degree in Geosciences from Humboldt State University, he worked as a National Park Service interpretive ranger, including at Bryce Canyon National Park, another internationally recognized dark sky destination.
Since joining Voyageurs Conservancy in 2021, Jesse has helped establish Voyageurs as one of the Midwest's premier destinations for astronomy education. He leads the park's popular Park After Dark programs, coordinates the annual Voyageurs Star Party, develops astronomy programming for schools, and has introduced many thousands of visitors and students to the wonders of the night sky.
In 2025, Jesse became a NASA Solar System Ambassador, joining a national network of educators dedicated to sharing NASA science and inspiring communities through astronomy.
Known for his engaging teaching style and infectious enthusiasm, Jesse combines scientific expertise with approachable instruction to help participants build the knowledge and confidence to become lifelong observers of the night sky.
Meet Your Instructor: Bob King
Bob King—better known to many Minnesota stargazers as “Astro Bob”—is an astronomy educator, author, photographer, and lifelong observer of the night sky.
Bob has been teaching community astronomy classes since the late 1980s, sharing his enthusiasm for the night sky with generations of students and stargazers. After moving to Duluth in 1979, he spent nearly four decades as a photographer and photo editor with the Duluth News Tribune while pursuing his passion for astronomy beneath northern Minnesota's dark skies.
Today, Bob writes a weekly astronomy column for the Duluth News Tribune and regularly shares what's happening in the night sky, including aurora alerts, through Astro Bob's Astronomy for Everyone. He also brings astronomy to the airwaves through a biweekly program on The North 103.3 in Duluth and a monthly astronomy update on WTIP 90.7 FM in Grand Marais.
Bob is the author of several books, including Night Sky with the Naked Eye and Magnificent Aurora. His practical, observation-focused approach helps people discover that exploring the universe doesn't require being an expert. From navigating constellations and tracking planets to experiencing the northern lights and discovering deep-sky objects, Bob brings decades of observing experience and an infectious curiosity about what's happening overhead.
Voyageurs Astronomy Workshop
Things to Know:
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By car: Voyageurs National Park is approximately a 4 ½ hour drive (295 miles) from the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and a 2 ½ hour drive from Duluth (130 miles).
By plane: Fly to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), rent a car and drive to Voyageurs National Park OR fly directly to International Falls Airport (INL) and rent a car in International Falls.
Your first visit to Voyageurs? Be sure to check out additional considerations when visiting Voyageurs National Park -
Please arrange your lodging accommodations early!
Lodging is not included in the registration fee. However, Voyagaire Lodge has generously offered 50% off to participants for this experience.
Room options (with and without lake views and/or balconies) and prices can be found here.
To make planning easy, a block of rooms has been reserved for retreat participants at Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats, where retreat activities will also take place. Participants are welcome to reserve accommodations through Voyagaire or choose other lodging options in the area.
To make your reservation, please contact General Manager Scott Lennander and the staff at Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats to arrange accommodations:
Directions From Orr, Minnesota
Voyagaire Lodge & Houseboats is located at the southernmost entrance to Voyageurs National Park on beautiful Crane Lake. We are only 27 miles from Orr, and can be accessed by automobile from Highway 23 off Highway 53. From downtown Orr where you will see signs for Crane Lake, travel east on County Road 23 to Buyck. Stay on 23 to the end of the road.
Distances from Major Midwestern Cities
Duluth – 142 miles
Minneapolis – 285 milesFargo – 325 miles
SiouxFalls – 423 milesMilwaukee – 577 miles
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Your registration includes:
Three days of immersive astronomy programming led by NASA Solar System Ambassador Jesse Gates with sessions led by Astro Bob
Guided daytime workshops and evening observing sessions
Access to an outstanding lineup of telescopes, including an Orion SkyQuest XT10, Celestron NexStar 8SE, and Meade LX200(telescope lineup subject to change)
Personalized instruction on telescope setup, operation, and observing techniques
Opportunities to use your own telescope with expert guidance (optional)
Educational materials and astronomy resources
All meals throughout the retreat, beginning with lunch on Friday and concluding with lunch on Sunday
A Voyageurs Conservancy welcome gift and retreat keepsake
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Participants should plan to bring:
Comfortable, weather-appropriate outdoor clothing (including warm layers for cool evenings)
Sturdy walking shoes
Water bottle
Headlamp or flashlight with a red light mode (recommended)
Personal binoculars (optional)
Personal telescope (optional, if you would like instruction using your own equipment)
Personal medications and any other items needed for comfort during outdoor programming
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If you require specific accommodations for the Voyageurs Astronomy Retreat, like sign language interpretation or wheelchair access, please contact us right away so we can do our best to make arrangements: brandon@voyageurs.org.
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Cancellations
For the safety of participants and staff, we may cancel this program in the event of inclement weather or hazardous conditions. Participants will be notified via email and event pages will be updated if the program is cancelled.
Mixed Precipitation cancels shows when temperatures are above 98 degrees Fahrenheit, winds exceed 45 mph, there is thunder & lightning, or the air quality index is 160 or above.
Decisions to cancel are often made only 1-2 hours before showtime or after a weather delay. All CDC protocols and local guidelines are carefully followed and may also result in a cancellation.
In the event of mild weather disruptions or cloudy weather, some programs will be adapted, moved indoors, or continue as is. Even if we can’t see the stars together, we promise to do our best to share stories and science with you!
Remember that weather can shift rapidly in this area of the country and can vary on one end of the park or lake vs. another.
Local weather for Kabetogama VC
Local weather for Rainy Lake VCMinimum Enrollment Not Met
This program requires a minimum number of participants to run (5 participants). If minimum enrollment is not reached, Voyageurs Conservancy reserves the right to cancel the program. Participants will be notified via email as soon as a decision is made.
Refunds
There are no refunds for participant-initiated cancellations.
Still have questions?
Please contact Jesse Gates at jgates@voyageurs.org or
Brandon Güell at brandon@voyageurs.org for more information.
Voyageurs: International Dark Sky Park
In December 2020, Voyageurs National Park became officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park. This certification from the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) recognizes Voyageurs for the exceptional quality of its dark skies and its ongoing commitment to preserving darkness and educating the public about the night sky. Voyageurs Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of Voyageurs National Park, was proud to help secure this certification by funding key light fixture changes and hosting night sky educational programs.
You can support the Voyageurs Star Party and Dark Sky Classroom with a donation at voyageurs.org/give. Sign up to receive future emails from Voyageurs Conservancy at voyageurs.org/subscribe.