Itasca State Park is offering several programs over the next week. The programs are listed below.
Fire Tower Hike
Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Meet outside of Douglas Lodge
Come along for a nice fall walk to the Aiton Heights Fire Tower. Learn about the history of fires fire towers, and enjoy the changing leaves. Conclude the interpretive walk by climbing the tower at your leisure before returning to Douglas Lodge.
NOTES: The hike is about 3 miles round trip, with some uneven terrain. Wear appropriate clothing/footwear and pack water for the hike.
Tree ID Walk
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 1:30-2:15 p.m.
Meet under the porch at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center
Interested in learning about the trees of Itasca State Park? Join us for a walk as we discover the different kinds of trees and how to identify them.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Research at Itasca
Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center porch if rains.)
Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? As you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, stop by the nature cart and learn about research at the University of Minnesota’s Biological Station at Itasca.
Extraordinary Owls, Campfire
Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 6:30-7:00 p.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds
Learn about Minnesota’s owls and the traits that make them so well-adapted for life at night! Bring your s’more ingredients to enjoy around the fire after the interpretive talk.
Mississippi Headwaters Mysteries, Walk
Friday, September 22, 2023, from 2-2:30 p.m.
Meet under the porch at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center
Did you ever wonder why two different lengths are recorded for the river? How did Lake Itasca get its name? Have those rocks always been there? Does the river ever freeze? Discover the answer to these mysteries about the Mississippi River and Lake Itasca as we walk to the headwaters.
