2022/23 Winter Events at Itasca State Park

Dec 5, 2022Events, State Parks

Winter is a special time to explore iconic Itasca state park's trails with the whole family.
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Minnesota's Central Lakes State Trail is a wonderful destination year round

 

Itasca State Park is the place to be this winter. These family-friendly outdoor events are free to attend. Explore the trails and learn about the parks’s birds between now and February.

Circle Time Under the Pines: C is for Chickadee

Tuesday, December 6, 2022
11-11:30 a.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Children 2-5 years old, come explore Itasca as we learn about nature through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery.

Details

Bring your winter outdoor clothes, including snow pants and boots, as we will be outside exploring nature if weather allows. Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying your noon meal around the fireplace in the visitor center lobby after the program.

Kids Science Discovery: Backyard Birds

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Kids, let’s investigate birds in your backyard! Science Discovery programs are geared for students looking to take the classroom outside.

Details

Itasca is a wonderful outdoor learning space to explore the natural world. Registration: Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252. What to Bring: This program will include going outdoors if weather allows, so plan for the weather. Dress in layers and wear snow boots.

Last Day Hike: Exploring the Brower Trail

Saturday, December 31, 2022
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center

End your 2022 New Year’s resolution strong or get your 2023 New Year’s resolutions going a day early on the last day of the year!

Details

Join us for an invigorating snowshoe as we hike to Preachers Grove along the Brower Trail. Round trip about 2 miles. Notes: Dress for being outdoors, bring along your snowshoes, water, and sunglasses. A limited number of snowshoes are available at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center for use during the program and are first-come-first-serve basis. Please check out the snowshoes before the start of the hike. Route may change based on weather and snow conditions.

Get Outside and Snowshoe! A Beginner’s Guide

Saturday, January 7, 2023
11 a.m-Noon
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Looking for a fun, winter activity that will get you outside? Enjoy the beauty of winter on snowshoes!

Details

This beginner’s class will teach you the basics of snowshoeing as well as great places to visit in Itasca while wearing snowshoes. This program is dependent on snowfall. What to Bring: Dress warmly in layers and include snow boots. The program will be outside on the trail trying out your new skills. Reserve a pair of snowshoes or bring your own. Snowshoes: Bring your own snowshoes or email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252 to reserve a pair of snowshoes.

Kids Science Discovery: Winter Animals

Friday, January 13, 2023
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center  
Kids, let’s investigate winter animals! How do they survive cold and snowy Minnesota winters?

Details

Science Discovery programs are geared for students looking to take the classroom outside. Itasca is a wonderful outdoor learning space to explore the natural world. Registration: Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252. What to Bring: This program will include going outdoors if weather allows, so plan for the weather. Dress in layers and wear snow boots.

Circle Time Under the Pines: M is for Mittens

Wednesday, January 18, 2023
11-11:30 a.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Children 2-5 years old, come explore Itasca as we learn about nature through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery.

Details

Bring your winter outdoor clothes (including snow pants and boots) as we will be outside exploring nature if weather allows. Registration: Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying your noon meal around the fireplace in the visitor center lobby after the program.

Itasca’s Evening Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski

Saturday, January 21, 2023
5-7:30 p.m
V. Brower Visitor Center
Come out and ski or snowshoe by the light of the stars and kerosene lanterns along the trail.

Details

Snowshoe, walk, or ski at your own pace along the lantern lit route during this drop-in program. NOTES: Program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. Snowshoe walk / ski is self-guided at your leisure. Bring along your snowshoes or skis. Some portions of trail may be walkable in just snow boots. A limited number of snowshoes will be available for check-out at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center on a first come-first served basis. Bring your own hotdogs, thermos of hot chocolate, marshmallows and snacks for enjoying around the outdoor campfire before or after the walk (don’t forget your roasting stick). If snow conditions are poor, the event will become a snow boot walk.

Kids Science Discovery: Snowshoeing

Thursday, February 9, 2023
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Kids, let’s investigate the science of snowshoeing! Science Discovery programs are geared for students looking to take the classroom outside.

Details

Itasca is a wonderful outdoor learning space to explore the natural world. Registration: Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252. What to Bring: This program will include going outdoors if weather allows, so plan for the weather. Dress in layers and wear snow boots.

Circle Time Under the Pines: W is for Woodpeckers

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
11-11:30 a.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Children 2-5 years old, come explore Itasca as we learn about nature through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery.

Details

Bring your winter outdoor clothes (including snowpants and boots) as we will be outside exploring nature if weather allows. Registration: Registration for this program is required. For more information or to register, email Naturalist Sandra at Sandra.d.lichter@state.mn.us or call 218-699-7252. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying your noon meal around the fireplace in the visitor center lobby after the program.

Itasca’s Evening Lantern Lit Snowshoe Walk

Saturday, February 18, 2023
5:30-8 p.m.
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center
Come out and ski or snowshoe by the light of the stars and kerosene lanterns along the trail.

Details

Snowshoe, walk, or ski at your own pace along the lantern lit route during this drop-in program. NOTES: Program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. Snowshoe walk / ski is self-guided at your leisure. Bring along your snowshoes or skis. Some portions of trail may be walkable in just snow boots. A limited number of snowshoes will be available for check-out at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center on a first come-first served basis. Bring your own hotdogs, thermos of hot chocolate, marshmallows and snacks for enjoying around the outdoor campfire before or after the walk (don’t forget your roasting stick). If snow conditions are poor, the event will become a snow boot walk.

Visit our trail-friendly sponsor!
Fergus Falls is the gateway to the scenic Central Lakes State Trail
The Scenic Shore 150 Bike Tour is a two-day, 150-mile, fully supported cycling event that is open to riders of all ages and abilities.
Alexandria, MN is home to miles of bike trails, paved and dirt!
Love the Life in Luverne, Minnesota and take a spin on the Loop Trail around town and into Blue Mounds State Park
Minnesota's Paul Bunyan Trail is one of the state's best bike rides

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I’m Jan, the publisher of Minnesota Trails Magazine. I’m looking for that one trail, the next ride, a new discovery and other reasons never to sit still in Minnesota.

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