Weekend Nature Activities: Aug. 22–24

Free summer events to learn about nature and enjoy the great outdoors of north country!

Friday

Aug. 22: MN Hiking Celebration (Day 2 of 3)
7 am–10 pm, free guided hikes along Superior Trail. Call 701-388-1883 for more information.
Location: Spirit Mtn. 

Aug. 22: UMD Large Lakes Observatory Tour
12:30–4:30 pm, Free, board and tour the Blue Heron research vessel
Location: Great Lakes Aquarium

Aug. 22: Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Education
1 pm
Location: Minneopa State Park

Aug. 22: All about water
2 pm
Location: Minneopa State Park

Aug. 22 Fishin’
3–5 pm, equipment provided no license required, must register 612-725-2724
Location: Fort Snelling State Park, also Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (320-532-3523)

Aug. 22 Star Watch
8:30 pm
Location: Lake Shetek State Park

Saturday

Aug. 23: Bird Walk
7 am
Location: Afton State Park, meet at visitor center

Aug. 23: Mornin’ bird hike
8:30–10:30 am
Location: Tettegouche State Park, meet at visitors center

Aug. 23: MN Hiking Celebration (Day 3 of 3)
8 am–6 pm, free guided hikes along Superior Trail. Call 701-388-1883 for more information.
Location: Spirit Mtn. 

Aug. 23 Stone Sculptures
9:30–noon, 12:30–3:00, $35 member $55 non-member, Registration required (click on time you prefer)
Location: MN Landscape Arboretum

Aug. 23: Canoeing for Beginners
10–11 am (kids must be 8+ and accompanied by adult)
Location: Sibley State Park

Aug. 23: Trail Walk
10:30–11:30, 1/2-mile guided hike
Location:  Mille Lacs Kathio STate Park, meet at interpretive center

Aug. 23: Dr. Roberts Trail Walk
10:30–11:30, guided hike
Location: Itasca State Park

Aug. 23: Nature Stroll
11 am–noon, with naturalist
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Aug. 23: Family Fun—Pollinators
Noon to 4 p.m. (drop-in)
Location: MN Landscape Arboretum, Learning Center

Aug. 23: Falls Loop Hike
noon–1 pm, guided
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Aug. 23: Historic Quarry Hike
12:30–2:30
Location: Banning State Park

Aug. 23: Protecting Our Waters
1–3:30 pm
Location: Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, drop-in any time Interpretive Center

Aug. 23: Tales of the Superior Trail
1–2 pm, guest speakers
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Aug. 23: Monarch Tagging
1–2 pm, educational, hike, hands-on
Location: Whitewater State Park

Aug. 23: Summer Pests
1–3 pm, learn what ticks, mosquitoes, gnats and other creepy bothersome buggers are good for
Location: Fort Snelling State Park

Aug. 23: Wildcat Sanctuary
1–3 pm, Meet volunteers from the sanctuary to learn about wild animals.
Location: St. Croix State Park

Aug. 23: US Dakota War, 1862
1:30–3:30 pm, author and historian Curtis Dahlin will present $5 ($3 seniors, kids)
Location: Fort Ridgely State Park

Aug. 23: Moths n Butterflies
2–3 pm
Location: Tettegouche State Park, meet at visitor center

Aug. 23: Weaving with Natural Fibers
2–3 pm
Location: Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Aug. 23: Archery in the Park (drop-in, equipment provided). Locations:
Rice Lake State Park 2–4 pm
Father Hennepin State Park 10am–noon
Glacial Lakes State Park 1–4 pm

Aug. 23: Skulls
3–4 pm
Location: Interstate State Park

Aug. 23: Marnach House—Pioneer Home in Whitewater Valley
3–5 pm, 1.6 mile leisurely hike to house with interpreter
Location: Whitewater State Park

Aug. 23: Ice Cream Social + Dance
6–8 pm
William O’Brien State Park

Aug. 23: Evening Campfire Program
7–8 pm
Location: Glacial Lakes State Park

Aug. 23: Bat Count
7–9 pm, 7 of MN’s bats live in southeastern MN!
Location: Whitewater State Park, bring transportation

Aug. 23: Beekeeper Tales
7 pm
Location: Lake Carlos State Park

Aug. 23: Spiders
7:30–8:30 pm, presentation by acclaimed naturalist Larry Weber
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Aug. 23: Night Hike
8–9 pm
Location: Itasca State Park, Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center

Aug. 23: Moths of Minnesota
8:30–9:30 pm
Location: Forestviller/Mystery Cave State Park

Aug. 23: Star Watch
8:30 pm, bring your own binocs and lounge chair, large reflecting telescopes available for closeup views
Location: Camden State Park

Aug. 23: Star Watch
9 pm
Location: William O’Brien State Park

Sunday

Aug. 24: Geocaching 101
10–11:30 am, learn the basics, equipment provided
Location: Lake Carlos State Park

Aug. 24: Wildflower Hike
10:30–noon
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park, meet at visitor’s center

Aug. 24: Cookin’ in the Park
11 am–noon
Location: Fort Snelling State Park

Aug. 24: Maple Grove Jazz Ensemble
1:30-3 p.m.
Location: MN Landscape Arboretum, Trex Deck

Aug. 24: Bird ID Workshop
2–3 pm
Location: Tettegouche State Park, meet at visitor center, multipurpose room

Aug. 24: Yoga in the Gardens
noon, Free for Arboretum and Life Time members. Register at www.arboretum.umn.edu/yoga.aspx.
Location: MN Landscape Arboretum

Aug. 24: Of Fire and Food
7–8 pm amphitheater presentation
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Aug. 24: Creatures of the Night Hike
8–9 pm
Location: Gooseberry Falls State Park

 

Other Fun Stuff

For Fall Great River Greening volunteer opportunities (tree planting and more), check it out: FLYER

Also, check your local parks n rec page for free outdoor weekend events. You may need to go to the county website first.
Example, St. Paul Parks n Rec (Ramsey County):