Itasca State Park will have several programs from Tuesday, August 22, through Sunday, August 27. The program information is below.
Historic Buildings Walking Tour
Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Meet outside of Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge). The historic buildings of Itasca tell stories of the people who had enjoyed the park before us and contributed to how we currently experience it. Explore the history of Itasca’s oldest buildings, the people who constructed them, and how they have changed.
Jr. Naturalist: Fabulous Frogs
Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 2-2:30 p.m
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds: green spots, brown stripes, a black X, and a dark mask. Learn about the different frogs that make Itasca’s ponds and wetlands their home.
Circle Time Under the Pines, H is for Hummingbirds, Preschool Program
Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 11-11:30 a.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds. Children 2-5 years old join a naturalist and have fun at Itasca as we learn about nature through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying lunch at the park after the program.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Lichens
Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 1:30-3 pm (come and go)
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center porch if it rains.) Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Jr. Naturalist: Extraordinary Owls
Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds. Young naturalists join us as we learn about Minnesota’s owls and the traits that make them so well adapted for life at night! After the interpretive talk, complete an owl craft to take home with you.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Research at Itasca
Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 1:30-3 p.m. Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center porch if it 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.
Yoga in the Park
Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Meet on the picnic grounds by the Lakeside Museum, and watch for signs (lakeside from Wegmann’s Store/cabin). If raining, held inside the Lakeside Museum Relax and unwind with Yoga in the Park, catered to all ages and levels of physical fitness. End your day with healthy stretching. Enjoy nature while benefitting from yoga as the calming view of Lake Itasca and the towering pines overhead center you.
Participants should bring a mat, blanket, or beach towel and wear comfortable clothing that allows them to move freely—led by personal yoga trainers. All levels are welcome.
Mississippi Headwaters Mysteries, Walk
Friday, August 25, 2023, from 11-11:30 a.m.
Meet under the porch at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. Did you ever wonder: why are there two different lengths 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.
Science in Nature: Itasca’s Flying Squirrels: A Story of Ecological Elimination
Friday, August 25, 2023, from 1-2 p.m.
Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom. Are you curious about how nature functions? Uncover the mysteries of nature! Itasca State Park has historically hosted two different species of flying squirrels (the northern and the southern flying squirrels). Still, as forests change with time, these two species have not responded to these changes equally. Alex will be discussing how he traps, radio collars, and tracks flying squirrels to understand better what habitats each squirrel species occupies or prefers and to investigate whether or not there are any northern flying squirrels remaining in the park.
Alex Doebler is a senior studying Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior at the University of Minnesota who was recently awarded the Jim Winter Itasca Research Scholarship through the Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories to research flying squirrels in the park. This program is coordinated by the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station and Itasca State Park.
Historic Buildings Walking Tour
Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Meet outside of Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge). The historic buildings of Itasca tell stories of the people who had enjoyed the park before us and contributed to how we currently experience it. Explore the history of Itasca’s oldest buildings, the people who constructed them, and how they have changed.
Old Timer’s Cabin, Open Tour
Saturday, August 26, 2023, Cabin is open from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Held at the Old Timer’s Cabin, located along the Dr. Roberts Trail boardwalk below Douglas Lodge, Only 4 (massive) logs tall, learn more about this Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed building. The Naturalist staff will open the Cabin for you to tour at your leisure.
Jr. Naturalist: Making Minnesota Activity Booklet
Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds. Young naturalists join us as we learn about what makes Minnesota, Minnesota. Follow along with the Minnesota Historical Society activity booklet and learn about the people, places, and things that make this state so unique.
Five Facts in Five Minutes: Loons
Sunday, August 27, 2023, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center porch if it rains.) Only have a minute to learn about Itasca State Park? Check out a unique feature at the naturalist station as you visit the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines: Northern Bass
Sunday, August 27, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Meet at the Lake Itasca Amphitheater (near the swim beach on the picnic grounds). If it rains, inside Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge). Gather by the shores of Lake Itasca for sunset and music by the local group Northern Bass! This trio plays a variety of music from the ’50s through the ’70s. From Pop, Rock, Instrumentals, Jazz, and Standards, Louise, Mike, and Dan combine their unique style with familiar tunes from the past.
Louise Plays the keyboard and bass keyboard and sings. She has experience in many musical endeavors, including working as a Wood Tick Musical Theatre band member and a public-school music teacher. Mike, an experienced drummer, and singer, is involved with several musical groups and has been a touring musician. He is a master of providing playing styles from simple surf beats to complex jazz rhythms. Dan plays guitar and sings. He has participated in various musical groups and trios covering types from Instrumental surf to acoustic Blue.
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