Dreaming of a national park adventure but not sure where to start with Voyageurs? Join Voyageurs Conservancy, National Park Service staff, and representatives from the park’s gateway communities for a beginner-focused introduction to planning your first trip to Voyageurs National Park.

This free webinar is designed for first-time visitors, families, and travelers who are planning to experience the park from the mainland. We’ll cover what makes Voyageurs unique, the many ways to explore the park, and how to choose the trip style that’s right for you.

Composer & 2024 Artist-in-Residence Marko Bajzer will debut an original symphony orchestra piece, “Sky-Tinted Water,” inspired by the landscapes of Voyageurs. Concerts will take place at venues throughout Minnesota next fall to commemorate the 50th.

Join Park Rangers and members of the Polar Polers Nordic Ski Club for a fun cross-country ski adventure. Winter equipment (skis and snowshoes) is available to borrow from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for free while supplies last.

After skiing, gather around a campfire and explore the night sky through telescopes and hear love stories from the stars at Black Bay Beaver Pond. A short hike, snowshoe, ski, or drive will lead you to the viewing area.

No registration needed for either portion – meet at the trailhead.

Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik (Grand Portage Ojibwe, Direct Descendent) – an artist, author and educator – will share a presentation "Our Relatives at Night" featuring art of the evening sky, including sharing of stories that inspired the pieces. Sam Zimmerman will share paintings that feature the night sky, different animal, bird, and fish relatives that are in the pieces. Children and adults of all ages and families are welcome.

5:30-6:15 p.m: Indoor presentation with Astro Bob, author and night sky educator.
6:15-8:30 p.m: Step outside for telescope viewing at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Drop by and stay as long as you’d like.

After a look at current night sky sights, we blast off for Jupiter and learn all about its storms, aurora and dancing moons.

Explore the colors of the night sky as we investigate the magnificent variance in the hues of stars, nebulas, and other celestial objects! Attendees will gaze into the colors of the universe within the planetarium, followed by a night hike (snowshoes provided!) in the neighboring Bagley Nature Area.

Learn what makes winter at Voyageurs unique while getting essential guidance on ice safety, winter access, gear, and preparedness. Park staff will share firsthand insights and answer questions to help you plan a safe and rewarding winter experience.

Perfect for anyone planning a winter visit or wanting to learn more about exploring Voyageurs during its coldest season.

Connect with Voyageurs Conservancy at The Great Northern Festival in Minneapolis!

Join us at the Climate Action Fair on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, where we’ll be sharing tips on winter recreation and ice safety, and highlighting our region’s spectacular night skies, which are at their clearest during the winter months!

On Family Day, Sunday, February 1, enjoy a special presentation from our education team.

Winter is an excellent time to foster a connection with the natural world by learning to identify local trees. Join Naturalist Moss Kupper for an exploration of the Hartley Nature Area's winter forest. We will focus on the patterns in branching structure, bark, and bud scars along the trails to deepen understanding of this environment.

Discover the natural and cultural wonders that shape every experience at Voyageurs National Park. Voyageurs Conservancy staff will highlight the stories of the park’s landscape, waters, Ojibwe homelands, Voyageurs and the fur trade, wildlife, and the many people connected to this place. Learn how these treasures guide our work in youth education, scientific research, and community connection – and explore the many ways you can help protect and celebrate Minnesota’s national park.

Join us for our free Pints for the Park event at Wild State Cider in Duluth on Friday, March 24. Plan your next Voyageurs trip with Conservancy staff, play national park trivia, and connect with fellow park enthusiasts!

Get to know some of the plant relatives that exist in Minnesota’s Northwoods. We'll begin indoors by exploring Indigenous Ojibwe stories and Western scientific perspectives on the plants that inhabit this land. Afterward, we'll venture onto the trails of Bagley Nature Area to observe how local plants and animals are preparing for winter.

Wild Teaching and Learning is a series of nature-based learning experiences that center on themes of current seasonal happenings in Duluth, comparing these findings to phenology at Voyageurs National Park. Sessions are designed for educators, though all adults are welcome to attend. 

Rise and shine, friends of Voyageurs. Our annual member breakfast is fast approaching, and we are thrilled to welcome Graham Lee, author of Jun Fujita: Behind the Camera, as our featured speaker at this year’s gathering.

Composer and 2024 Artist-in-Residence Marko Bajzer will debut an original symphony orchestra piece, Sky-Tinted Water, inspired by the landscapes of Voyageurs. The concert program will also feature Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 and Eric Ewazen’s Piano Concerto with Tammy Miller as soloist.

You can forage in the Autumn woods! Join Moss Kupper, Education Coordinator and Northwoods Naturalist, on a hike to explore and forage through Hartley Nature Area. This session will focus on easy-to-identify medicinal and edible plants, while also discussing other wild edibles that can be found during the harvest season. 

Wild Teaching and Learning is a series of nature-based learning experiences that center on themes of current seasonal happenings in Duluth, comparing these findings to phenology at Voyageurs National Park. Sessions are designed for educators, though all adults are welcome to attend.  

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

Join us for Bell Musuem’s sixth annual Statewide Star Party! This year’s theme, Aurora Voyage: Chasing the Northern Lights, is an invitation to celebrate the beauty of Minnesota’s northern skies and learn more about this beloved phenomena. Every star party will celebrate their own interpretation of this theme in unique, fun and exciting ways!

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.

 Attend this joint program hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy's dark sky specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador and a Voyageurs National Park ranger for a night of stargazing and discovery. Begin with a short program exploring what it means to be a dark sky park and why preserving natural darkness matters. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the night with a 60-minute guided experience, featuring powerful telescopes, constellation tours, and stunning views.