Winter at Voyageurs Event Series

Embrace the Cold. Play and Learn. Find Your Park.

From snowshoeing and painting in the park, to special speakers! The National Park Service is hosting activities at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center starting in January offering everyone a chance to experience Voyageurs National Park in the winter.

This special winter event series is sponsored by Voyageurs National Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, promoting, and enhancing Voyageurs National Park.

For more information, please call the Rainy Lake Visitor Center at [phone].

 

Explore Winter with Voyageurs' 2019 Winter Special Event Series!

All programs are scheduled from 2 to 4 pm on Sundays unless noted otherwise, starting January 18 and running through March 24. Events are family-friendly and offer something exciting for everyone. Most programs are free and take place at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center unless otherwise noted.

Friday, January 18: Night Light Snowshoe Hike
7 to 8:30 pm. Recommended ages 5 and up. Free.
Discover the wonder of the night! Come to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center between 7 and 8:30 pm for a self-guided evening snowshoe hike, with luminaries to light your way. Bring your own light and a pair of snowshoes, or borrow snowshoes from the visitor center.

Sunday, January 27: Eagles of Voyageurs
2 to 4 pm. Recommended ages 10 and up. Free.
The Bald Eagle dramatically captures our sense of wonder, and the story of Bald Eagle preservation is closely tied to our own as a nation and as a people. Join park biologist Steve Windels to find out more about Bald Eagle populations in Voyageurs National Park.

Sunday, February 3: Birch Bark Crafting Workshop
1 to 4 pm. Ages 13 and up. $30 per person.
Join art instructor Deb Carlson for a birch bark workshop to learn how to weave a beautiful birch bark star that you can bring home. Class size limited to 15 participants; minimum class size of six. Registration and payment at www.voyageurs.org.

Saturday, February 9: Snowshoe Lacing
10 am to 4:30 pm. Ages 14 and up. $120 per person.
Update on 1/30/2019: we regret to announce that due to timing and logistics complications associated with the recent government shutdown, this program has been cancelled for 2019. Additional snowshoe lacing workshops will be considered for future winter seasons.

Sunday, February 10: Night Sky Stories
7 to 8:30 pm. Recommended ages 8 and up. Free.
Enjoy a warm campfire while listening to stories told between countless generations. Meet at the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center breakwater point with cold weather gear and a light.

Sunday, February 17: Guided Snowshoe Hike to Harry Oveson's Fish Camp
2 to 4 pm. Recommended ages 6 and up. Free.
Join a ranger for a 1.5 mile guided snowshoe hike from the end of the Rainy Lake Ice Road to Harry Oveson's Fish Camp to learn about harvesting ice on Rainy Lake. Borrow snowshoes from the park or bring your own. Weather-dependent. Meet at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center.

Sunday, February 24: Woodworking for Wildlife Workshop
2 to 4 pm. Ages 9 and up. $25 per person.
Winter is not only a time of cold; it can also be warm and alive with industry and creativity. In this workshop you will have the opportunity to build a beautiful and functional birdhouse to bring home with you. Registration required. Class size is limited to 14 participants, with a minimum class size of 6. Registration and payment at www.voyageurs.org.

Sunday, March 3: Guided Ski Program at the Echo Bay Trail
1 to 4 pm. Ages 6 and up. Free.
Come and explore with us on the Echo Bay Ski Trail. All levels and abilities welcome! After an introduction to the equipment, we will explore the firt mile-long loop. More experienced skiers who want to challenge their abilities can continue to the more advanced outer loop. Registration required; call the Rainy Lake VisitorCenter at [phone] to sign up. A limited amount of free equipment is available for check out upon registration. Weather-dependent. Meet at 1 pm at the Echo Bay Trailhead.

Sunday, March 10: Poetry Reading
2 to 4 pm. Recommended ages 10 and up. Free.
Our natural world inspires many artists and writers from all walks of life. Join local actor and poet Douglas Skrief at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for a dramatic poetry reading.

Sunday, March 17: Sledding at Sphunge Island
2 to 4 pm. Recommended ages 2 and up. Free.
Step outside for a while and enjoy a few hours of simple, adventurous fun! Join park staff and their families at the Sphunge Island Sledding Hill on Kabetogama Lake for the afternoon. Participants should bring their own sleds. Afterwards, warm up by a campfire.

Sunday, March 24: Loons in Flight
2 to 4 pm. Recommended ages 8 and up. Free.
The call of the loon is a sound that is deeply tied to the Northland. But what does a loon's call mean, and where do these captivating birds go when winter arrives? Join wildlife photographer and researcher Steve Maanum for an in-depth program about Minnesota's state bird.


These programs are made possible in part by the Voyageurs Naitonal Park Association, the Jefferson National Parks Association, and their generous supporters