Itasca State Park will offer numerous activities throughout September and October. A full list of events is included below:
Special Event: Night of the Notables—Lantern Walk September 26
Night of the Notables: Lantern Walk
Saturday, September 26, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (come-and-go)
Held at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center.
Enjoy a beautiful fall walk along a self-guided lantern-lit trail. Stop and visit with park naturalists who will be along the trail sharing notable stories about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), manoomin-wild rice, beavers, and the incredible Mary Gibbs. Kids, stop at the welcome station and get details about the search for the mysterious headwaters post, which can earn you a prize!
Go at your own pace during this drop-in program. All three paths will be lit from the Mary Gibbs Center down to the Headwaters of the Mississippi. Stop by the Mary Gibbs Café for supper, snacks, and acoustic music by the Hoot Owls from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 2026
Fall Leaves Bike Ride
Sunday, September 20, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the parking lot of the Itasca Sports Rental.
Do you like to ride bikes? Interested in learning about the trees of Itasca? Bring your bike and head down the trail with a Naturalist as we explore colorful fall leaves and the trees that they belong to.
Old Timer’s Cabin and the Civilian Conservation Corps
- Wednesday, September 23, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 30, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Held at the Old Timer’s Cabin, located along the boardwalk of Dr. Roberts Trail, below Douglas Lodge. (come-and-go)
Only 4 (massive) logs tall, learn more about this Civilian Conservation Corps constructed building, as well as what life was like in the CCC. Feel free to stop by at your leisure.
Got Elk?
Friday, September 25, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Meet at Lake Itasca Amphitheater in the picnic grounds. Rain location: Forest Inn.
Did you know that there used to be elk at Itasca State Park? Where did these elk come from, and where did they go? Come find out at the Itasca amphitheater! In this program, we will learn about elk as mammals and some of the efforts to reintroduce elk into the park. We will end with a walk to a historic elk site!
Family Fun! Leaf Art!
Saturday, October 3, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom
Come explore the world of leaves! Make some cool leaf art to take home with you.
Mysteries in History: The Douglas Lodge Area
Sunday, October 4, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Gather inside the Douglas Lodge Lobby.
Once proclaimed a “jewel set in mud,” Douglas Lodge is a point of pride in Itasca State Park and is Itasca’s oldest surviving structure. Join us on a walking tour around Douglas Lodge and its surroundings to learn more about this “jewel” and how the park developed the “mud” surrounding it into a hotspot of activity.
Glacier Walk: Looking at Itasca’s Landscape
Sunday, October 4, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
Meet outside Forest Inn, across from Douglas Lodge.
Have you been hiking around Itasca State Park and wondered why there are so many hills? Come across any random boulders alongside the trail? Join our walk as we take a look at Itasca’s landscape and find evidence of glaciers that helped to shape Itasca State Park.
Wellness by Water: Sound Bath
Sunday, October 4, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Meet by the Mississippi Headwaters (at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center if rain.)
A sound bath is a relaxing listening experience in which participants are “bathed” in sound waves produced by instruments such as singing bowls, gongs, and chimes. Bring a blanket, chair, or yoga mat and enjoy the familiar sounds of the Headwaters of the Mississippi along with some new additions. This is a listening-only activity focused on creating calm and relaxation for session participants.
Maple Syrup in the Fall?
Wednesday, October 7, from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.
Have you ever eaten maple syrup? Ever wondered where that sweet and sticky syrup came from? Curious why we are talking about this spring activity in the fall? Join a naturalist as they talk about the process of collecting and cooking maple syrup. After the talk, we will go on a short walk to see the kinds of trees used to make maple syrup.
Jr. Naturalist: Animal Tracks
Saturday, October 10, from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.
Calling all animal track detectives! We have some mystery tracks to solve! Join us on a walk as we talk about animal tracks and learn about the animals that leave them behind.
All About Beavers, Walk
Saturday, October 10, from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m.
Meet outside Forest Inn, across from Douglas Lodge.
Did you know that beavers’ teeth never stop growing? That’s why they need to gnaw on wood! Come learn even more fun facts about busy beavers on our walk. As we make our way to Mary Lake, we will talk about beaver adaptations and the history of beavers in Itasca State Park.
