Minnesota National Parks Educator Workshop
January 24, 2026 | Voyageurs National Park | Rainy Lake Visitor Center
No cost to attend & Free CEUs!
Schedule:
12:00-4:00 p.m: Educator Workshop | 6:30-8:00 p.m: Park After Dark Program
Lunch provided
Minnesota is home to incredible public lands! How do you bring these special places into your classroom? Join the education teams from Voyageurs Conservancy, Wild Rivers Conservancy, and Mississippi Park Connection, for this year’s National Parks Education Retreat, hosted in Voyageurs National Park!
This immersive, interactive workshop will introduce you to the diverse landscapes and learning opportunities across Minnesota’s public lands. You’ll explore standards-aligned programs, field trips, and classroom resources, while connecting with other passionate educators.
Wrap up the day with a Park After Dark program led by National Park Service Rangers and Voyageurs Conservancy education staff and experience firsthand the wonder of the winter skies in Voyageurs National Park with our telescope
Visiting Voyageurs National Park in winter
Winter transforms Voyageurs National Park into a peaceful playground of snow and ice. When the lakes freeze, they become scenic routes for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Explore groomed trails, ice roads, and backcountry routes that offer sweeping views of frozen islands and quiet forests.
Stop by the Rainy Lake Visitor Center – open Friday-Monday – the park’s only visitor center open during the winter season, for maps, trail conditions, and rentals. Winter is also an excellent time to spot wildlife tracks and catch a glimpse of the northern lights dancing across the night sky.
Lodging Options
While Voyageurs National Park doesn’t have year-round lodging inside the park boundaries, there are plenty of comfortable options nearby. We recommend workshop attendees stay in the communities of International Falls or Ranier, which are located under 30 minutes from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.
In addition to hotels, several resorts remain open year-round and cater to snowmobilers, ice anglers, and winter adventurers.
Want to extend your trip?
Voyageurs National Park is a winter enthusiasts paradise! From exploring ice roads and fishing opportunities to miles of groomed ski trails and some of the best northern lights viewing in North America, there’s something for everyone!
Check out our blog on the Top 10 Winter Activities to do in Voyageurs National Park.
Explore Winter Activities
Get your classroom involved
Please answer a few questions to sign-up for our Teacher Newsletter and receive updates on Voyageurs Classroom offerings for the 2025-2026 academic year.
This program was made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation through generous support of partners including Union Pacific Railroad and donors across the country.
Funding for this project was provided in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.