Discover your park after dark at the Voyageurs Star Party, a stellar three-day astronomy festival! The National Park Service and Voyageurs Conservancy are celebrating the natural wonder of Voyageurs National Park's night skies with our second annual summer Star Party on Thursday, August 18 - Saturday, August 20.
Join us for special speakers, arts and crafts, music, telescope viewing sessions, guided constellation tours, and more! Special speakers Paul Bogard and Astro “Bob” will inspire you with the galaxies, planets, and stars above our heads. Once the park goes dark, attendees will enjoy guided telescope sessions and constellation tours under Voyageurs’ star-studded skies.
Thursday, August 18: Rainy Lake
The End of the Night with Paul Bogard:
5:00 - 6:30 PM
Thunderbird Lodge, International Falls
A starry night is one of nature's most magical wonders. Yet in our artificially lit world, most of us no longer experience true darkness. In this talk based on his critically acclaimed book THE END OF NIGHT, Paul Bogard seeks to restore our awareness of the spectacularly primal, wildly dark night sky and how it has influenced the human experience across everything from science to art. Using a blend of personal narrative, natural history, science, and astronomy, Bogard shares the importance of darkness—what we've lost, what we still have, and what we might regain—and the simple ways we can reduce the brightness of our nights tonight.
This event is free but registration is required and space is limited. Reserve your spot at here or call 612-333-5424.
Friday, August 19: Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Free Family-Friendly Programs:
6 PM to Midnight
Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Join us for evening ranger programs, astronomy arts & crafts, a solar system hike, S'mores & Stories around the campfire, and more! Attendees will enjoy free family-friendly activities that will introduce you to the wilderness above your head. Once nighttime falls, enjoy telescope sessions and constellation tours under Voyageurs' star-studded skies.
Discover the Night with “Astro” Bob King:
9 - 9:30 PM
Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Join amateur astronomer and planetarium educator "Astro" Bob King for an awe-inspiring presentation under the night sky. Learn about August's celestial events and what makes Voyageurs National Park's dark skies so spectacular. Afterward, you'll join Astro Bob and park rangers and put your new night-watching skills to the test. View Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope, enjoy constellation tours over the park, learn about astro-photography, and take in the wilderness above our heads until midnight.
Bob King served as a photographer and photo editor at the Duluth News Tribune for 39 years and also taught at the UMD planetarium for many years. He has written several books on astronomy including The Urban Legends of Space, which examines science vs pseudoscience in Astronomy.
Night Sky Tour - Telescope Sessions + Constellation Tours:
10 PM - Midnight
Rainy Lake Visitor Center - Upper Parking Lot
Join Astro Bob, the Conservancy, and Park Rangers to put your new night-watching skills to the test. View Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope, enjoy constellation tours over the park, learn about astro-photography, and take in the wilderness above our heads until midnight. Attendees should meet at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center upper parking lot. Bring a lawn chair and bug spray.
Saturday, August 20: Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
Free Family-Friendly Programs:
6 PM to Midnight
Kabetogama Visitor Center
Discover the Night with “Astro” Bob King:
9 - 9:30pm
Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
Night Sky Tour - Telescope Sessions + Constellation Tours:
10 PM - Midnight
Meet outside Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
Full schedule of events available at voyageurs.org/starparty and www.nps.gov/voya
Glenn Benedicto
Weather Considerations:
In the event of inclement weather, please visit Voyageurs National Park’s Facebook page for updates and cancellations at www.facebook.com/VoyageursNPS. You do not need an account to view these posts.
Enjoy a Northern Lights Cocktail at Cantilever Hotel + Distillery: August 19 - 20
Celebrate & protect the night with a signature Northern Lights cocktail from Cantilever Hotel & Distillery. For each drink sold, Cantilever will donate $1 to the Voyageurs Conservancy, the official charitable partner of Minnesota’s national park. Enjoy a Northern Lights cocktail from August 19 - 20 to preserve natural darkness and support night sky programs.
About the 2022 Voyageurs Star Party
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 commitment to preserving darkness. Under the Dark Sky Classroom, the Voyageurs Conservancy and National Park Service host programs to educate the public on the significance of our dark skies. This includes weekly Dark Sky Programs, Virtual Field Trips for elementary students, and the Star Party.
