MN Nature has fun outdoor activities to share with you all throughout the holidays, like fat tire bike events, hikes, and snowshoeing. Check out some of the ideas below. All are free unless specifically otherwise noted. For state parks, you’ll need a permit at the gate or online.
Winter Evenings
BRUCE MUNRO, Winter Light At The Arboretum, the first large-scale light installation at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, will illuminate the winter landscape after dark. This ticketed exhibit makes its Minnesota premiere with a series of five outdoor and two indoor installations that have inspiration and connection to Munro’s visits to the Arboretum, his imagination and life experience.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen
11/25/2016
“Gobble Wobble” Turkey Walk Turned Fitness Hike
1 PM to 3 PM Get out and enjoy the park by going for a hike. Meet at the Visitor Center. The hike will be around 3 miles through a variety of habitats and terrain. While this hike build in intensity and speed, there is always an option to go at your own speed or shorten the hike as you see fit.
The hike will start with a leisurely walk, while the naturalist shares information about the wild turkey and other animals in the park. The animals are eating a lot this time of year too, putting on weight for winter survival. As the walk progresses we will pick up the pace a little and instead of conserving energy like our animal friends, we will try to to use some of that fuel from yesterday to cover more ground. The last 2 miles or so will be more of a fitness hike where we will be just getting out and enjoying the trails of the park, putting our bodies to work, getting some fresh and exercise.
Lake Carlos State Park
Antlers Nature Cart – Drop In
3 PM to 4 PM Antlers are astounding structures and the animals that wear them are no less marvelous. See and touch antlers from the North Shore animals that have antlers and learn about the current issues that are helping or hindering these animals.
Tettegouche State Park – Meeting Room in the Visitor Center
Full Hike / Snowshoe
11 AM to 1 PM Feeling a little full after all that Thanksgiving eating? Walk it off with a Naturalist on a roughly 2 mile hike to Mount Tom from the Interpretive Center. This trail travels through oak savannah and ends with a great view of glacial lakes. Hiking shoes with cleats and warm clothes recommended for a hike.
Sibley State Park
Free Day at the Park
All day! Park vehicle permit fees are waived this day. FREE DAY AT THE PARK! Meet at the Interpretive Center.
Sibley State Park
11/26/2016
Nature Hike: Preparing for Winter
10 AM to 11 AM Winter is around the corner and the plants and animals at Fort Snelling State Park are making final preparation for surviving the winter. Join a park naturalist for a short hike with several stops for discussion on the trail.
Fort Snelling State Park
Pie Burner Fat Bike Ride
10AM to 5 PM Join the Iron Range Off Road Cyclists for a post-Thanksgiving fat bike ride around the range. Choose to ride along for 15 or 30 miles, and take in the dramatic scenery of the region. Ride starts and ends at Palmers Tavern in Hibbing. Entry fee is a donation to the Northern St. Louis County Toys Photo this page of the hosts: More Info
Palmer’s Tavern
Turkey Trot
1 PM to 2:30 PM Want to work off that Thanksgiving dinner? Join the park naturalist for a hike along the trail to burn some calories and take in the beautiful scenery of Wild River State Park. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Wild River State Park
Geo-caching Adventure: Woods you like to go exploring for hidden treasure?
1 PM to 3:30 PM Ever want to get out and explore? During this program we will be going geocaching, looking for things hidden in the woods. What will make this hunt even more exciting is that it will take us off the beaten path into a little used part of the park. So dress warm, grab your hiking boots, and let’s go on an adventure! (Distance: 2 Miles, Elevation Gain: 300ft)
Whitewater State Park
Nature Tech/Digiscoping with Sharon Stiteler
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Join NPS Ranger Sharon Stiteler to learn about apps for your smartphone that can enhance your experience outdoors. There are apps that will help you identify birds, butterflies and mammals as well as help you choose the best place to look for them. We’ll even cover photography using your phone and a spotting scope. Bring your phones and unlock some of the secret powers your phone carries to give you a great day outdoors. The program will start with a brief presentation then move along to testing out photography at the feeders. If you have a spotting scope, bring it along.
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center (Auditorium)
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