Itasca State Park will hold several nature programs from June 16 to June 30. Below is a list of all the fun and educational programs.
JUNE 16-30 NATURE PROGRAMS
Old Timer’s Cabin and the Civilian Conservation Corps
-Sunday, June 16, 2024, from 12:30-2 p.m. (come and go at your leisure)
-Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 2-3:30 p.m. (come and go at your leisure)
-Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 1:30-3 p.m. (come and go at your leisure)
-Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 1:30-3 p.m. (come and go at your leisure)
Held at the Old Timer’s Cabin, located along the boardwalk of Dr. Roberts Trail below Douglas Lodge. Only 4 (massive) logs tall, learn more about this Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed building and what life was like in the CCC. Feel free to stop by at your leisure.
Tree ID Walk
Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 10:30-11:15 a.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.
Take Me Fishing Tuesday
-Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 6:30-8 p.m.
-Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 6:30-8 p.m.
Meet at the Lake Ozawindib Pier on Lake Ozawindib
Kids and adults, are you a ‘first-time’ fisher person wanting to try a new fishing skill? Learn to identify the common fish species in Minnesota, how to tie a know, bait your hook, and possibly catch some fish. Suitable for ages 6-12.
Note: An adult must accompany children. Bring your own fishing pole or use one provided. Poles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bait is also provided. Non-Minnesota residents will need a fishing license.
Jr. Naturalist: Mississippi Headwaters River Walk
Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 10-10:30 a.m.
Meet at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center
Kids and families explore the first stretch of the Mississippi River. This walk in the river will investigate and search for the critters and plants that live along this water trail.
Note: Wear clothes that can get wet, and wear water shoes to protect your feet. Water is relatively shallow but may be more profound in some sections. Small children may need to have life jackets or be carried. Adults must accompany children.
Archery in the Park
-Thursday, June 20, 2024, from 6:30-8 p.m.
-Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 6:30-8 p.m.
Meet in the back lot of the Indian Mounds/North Picnic Grounds Parking Area.
Join us for hands-on instruction in shooting a bow and arrow from certified instructors in a safe and supportive environment. Aim for a family adventure with kid-friendly equipment for eight-year-old and older beginners. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. All equipment is provided. Personal archery equipment is not allowed.
Family Fishing Fun
-Friday, June 21, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m.
-Friday, June 28, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m.
Meet at the Lake Itasca Fishing Pier below Douglas Lodge
Kids and adults, are you a ‘first-time’ fisher person wanting to try a new fishing skill? Learn to identify the common fish species in Minnesota, how to tie a know, bait your hook, and possibly catch some fish. Suitable for ages 6-12.
Note: An adult must accompany children. Bring your own fishing pole or use one provided. Poles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bait is also provided. Non-Minnesota residents will need a fishing license.
Nature of Science: The Afterlife of Trees
Friday, June 21, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Meet at Preacher’s Grove (along Main Park Drive)
Are you curious about how nature functions? Tag along with a scientist! Today’s guest is Dr. Jonathan Schilling, Director of the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station and a Plant & Microbial Biology professor. He will lead a walk in Preacher’s Grove focused on fungi, fire, and the ‘circle of life’ for trees. Tree death and decay make Itasca and its old growth unique, and the fungi that dominate biological decomposition are part of a massive biofiltration system that cleans the water draining into Lake Itasca.
This program is coordinated by the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station and Itasca State Park.
Outdoor Kids
-Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 2-3:30 p.m.— Fish Painting
-Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 2-3:30 p.m. — What’s Your Wingspan
Meet by the Swim Beach/ Playground (at the south end of the picnic grounds on Lake Itasca)
Kids of all ages come out and connect with nature through hands-on activities that focus on life around the lake. Stop by for a few moments and have fun discovering Itasca while hanging out at the swimming beach and playground. Come and go for this program at your leisure.
Minnesota’s Magnificent Owls
Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 7-7:45 p.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds.
Minnesota’s frequently heard but seldom seen owls don’t have to be a mystery to you any longer! Learn and leave able to identify and describe a few of our outstanding owl species you will experience in the land of 10,000 lakes. Prepare for a naturalist-led informative talk, and bring your bug spray, sweatshirt, and excitement to learn.
Morning Nature Walk
Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 10-10:45 a.m.
Meet outside the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. Enjoy the benefits of nature on this morning walk. Explore what’s blooming and living along the trail, as well as learn some health benefits of nature walking. The walk is around one mile, so remember your bug repellant.
Storytime in Nature
Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 11-11:30 a.m.
Meet by the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds (In between Lake Itasca and the picnic shelter)
Kids, do you like to read stories about nature and the outdoors? Join a naturalist volunteer as we enjoy reading stories outside. After the story, have fun making a craft together that you get to take home. NOTES: Adults must accompany children.
Fire and the Great Pine Forests Walk
Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 10:30—11:30 a.m.
Meet on the lawn outside Douglas Lodge.
Join us to learn about fires in our natural ecosystems — the good, the bad, and the lovely. Fire has a complicated relationship with the environment, and we’ll cover how fire has influenced all our lives. This walk will include part of the Brower Trail, so bring proper footwear and water.
Itasca’s Butterflies Walk
Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 1—3 p.m.
Meet at Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge)
Discover the wonders of butterflies on this guided walk. View a short slide presentation of the most common butterflies, then take a butterfly ID walk. Learn how and where to spot these elegant flyers with local butterfly enthusiasts John and Marlene Weber. This family-friendly hike is in conjunction with the annual North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Butterfly Count Program held nationwide.
Mississippi Headwaters Mysteries, Walk
Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 2-2:30 p.m.
Meet under the porch at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center
Have you ever wondered 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.
Jr. Naturalist: Geocaching
Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds (near the picnic shelter)
Come learn about geocaching as we practice correctly using a GPS. Your newfound skill will then be tested by navigating your way through waypoints until you find the final cache. Kids will be able to take home a small prize afterward.
Jr. Naturalist: Pecking Away at Birding Skills
Friday, June 28, 2024, from 1:30-2:15 p.m.
Meet at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center
Minnesota has over 240 birds! With so many birds to see, it can be scary to start watching and identifying birds. Join us to learn about different bird families and what makes them unique. A short walk will be on the nearby trails, so bring proper footwear.
Squirrels and Chipmunks: Walk
Friday, June 28, 2024, from 2:30-3:15 p.m.
Meet outside Douglas Lodge
Join us on this walk as we look for our furry friends in the trees. Along the way, we will talk about the squirrels and chipmunks in the park and look for their signs. Come prepared for a short walk on uneven terrain and be ready to learn about these small mammals seen throughout the park.
Yoga in the Park
Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
You can meet us on the picnic grounds at the Lakeside Museum. If it is raining, it will be held inside the Lakeside Museum.
Relax and unwind with Yoga in the Park, catered to all ages and levels of physical fitness! Enjoy nature while benefitting from yoga as the calming view of Lake Itasca and the towering pines overhead center you.
Loons Under the Moon Campfire
Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 7-7:30 p.m.
Meet at the council ring outside the Lakeside Museum on the picnic grounds (near the picnic shelter.
The common loon is Minnesota’s iconic state bird and a common treasure in our lakes! Join us and leave being able to describe loon behaviors, identify them, and find out how they are intertwined with our lives. Come ready with your bug spray & sweat, and prepare for an insightful night featuring our loons in Minnesota.
June 16-30, Five Facts in Five Minutes Program Series
Five Facts in Five Minutes Series
Near the Mississippi Headwaters (under the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center porch if it rains.)
Do you 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.
Topics for the second half of June include:
Monday, June 17, 2024, from 10:30-Noon — Skunks
Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 10:30-Noon — Raccoons
Monday, June 24, 2024, from 10:30-Noon — Canids vs Felines
Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 10:30-Noon — Minnesota’s Rodents
June 16-30, Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines Series
Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines: R. Mark Fogelson
Sunday, June 16, 2024 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Meet at the Lake Itasca Amphitheater on the picnic grounds (between the swimming beach and the picnic shelter). If it is raining, meet at Forest Inn.
Sit by the shore of Lake Itasca and enjoy the music of R. Mark Fogelson. His songs capture the essence of traditional folk by focusing on human stories, emotions, and triumphs. At his show, Mark explains how each song came to him. Listeners find his music approachable, heartwarming, humorous, and thought-provoking.
Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines: Julie and Bill Kaiser
Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 6-8 p.m.
Meet at Forest Inn (across from Douglas Lodge)
Come to the historic Forest Inn and enjoy an evening of music with Bill and Julie Kaiser. From the northwoods of Minnesota, Bill and Julie’s music has been described as acoustic “folkgrass” with a mix of bluegrass, folk, and original.
Itasca’s Evening Under the Pines: The Park Rapids Area Community Band
Sunday, June 30, 2024, from 7-8 p.m.
Meet on the lawn outside Douglas Lodge.
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and sit outside historic Douglas Lodge as the 50-member Park Rapids Area Community Band returns for another wonderful concert. These talented musicians will play music full of patriotic, popular, and classic songs.
