Celebration planned for Voyageurs National Park's designation as an international Dark Sky Park/Erik Fremtsad

A series of events is scheduled for next week to celebrate Voyageurs National Park's designation as an International Dark Sky Park.

This celebration includes the Dark Sky certifications of the Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, and Quetico Provincial Park in Canada, where events will take place August through December at each location. The first event will be held at Voyageurs National Park during the Perseid meteor showers, August 11-13. 

This event is free to the public. Watch for more information on other locations coming soon. In case of inclement weather, call ahead at 218-286-5258.

Ojibwe Constellations Storytelling and Art

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

Wednesday, August 11, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Ojibwe artist and educator Sam Zimmerman will share traditional native stories behind some of the most significant constellations. At this program, perfect for families and children, you'll learn about native star knowledge that has been passed down from elders for generations. Attendees will also receive free, exclusive Ojibwe Constellation Coloring Sheets designed by Sam himself. Meet at Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, on the lawn by the boat dock.

Night Sky Activity Stations

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

Wednesday, August 11, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 12, 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Friday, August 13, 9 p.m. –10:30 p.m.

Join rangers and special guests for various activities geared toward topics that are out of this world. Come explore what makes looking up so great at Voyageurs National Park with this drop-in event. Bring bug spray and chairs for a fun-filled evening.

Perseid Meteor Shower Presentation and Viewing

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

Wednesday, August 11, 9:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Get your wishes ready. From 9:30 p.m. to 10:15 p.m., join amateur astronomer and planetarium educator Bob King (Astro Bob) for an awe-inspiring presentation about the Perseid Meteor Shower. Attendees will learn how to enjoy these striking meteors, what makes them so special this year, and how the wildfires are impacting our starry skies. Afterward, you'll head outside with Astro Bob and park rangers and put your new night-watching skills to the test. We will watch these meteors strike across Kabetogama Lake, enjoy planet telescope-viewing, learn about astro-photography, and take in the wilderness above our heads until midnight.

Paint the Milky Way

Rainy Lake Visitor Center

Thursday, August 12, 1 p.m.–2 p.m.

Create your own art inspired by the night sky as Ranger Mariah leads in a Milky Way painting demonstration. Feel the inspiration of space while learning about your place in the universe. Paper, paint, brushes, water, rags, and source imagery will be provided. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting messy, and a sense of adventurous creativity.

Notes from the North Woods: Voyageurs After Dark

Ash River Visitor Center (Also available virtually on Facebook Live and Zoom.)

Thursday, August 12, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Constellation Tour

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

Thursday, August 12, 10:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Join park rangers for a constellation tour of the night sky over Voyageurs National Park. They'll provide the knowledge; you'll provide the oohs and the ahhs. In addition to your sense of wonder, you’ll also want to bring bug spray and a camp chair.

The Life and Death of Stars

Rainy Lake Visitor Center

Friday, August 13, 4 p.m.– 5 p.m.

Let's dive deeper into what makes up our view of the night sky with Ranger Jesse. In this hour-long talk at Rainy Lake Visitor Center auditorium, Ranger Jesse will expand on the life cycle of stars, exploring what life and death looks like for your favorite objects in the sky.

Star Party and Telescope Viewing

Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center

Friday, August 13 10:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Join park rangers for the last night of our celebration. View the night sky over Voyageurs National Park through a telescope lens and learn how to explore the universe through the naked eye. Bring bug spray and a camp chair for this evening full of stars and meteors. 

This event is made possible in part by Voyageurs Conservancy. The Conservancy is the official charitable partner of Voyageurs National Park. Established in 1965, the Conservancy was the driving force to permanently protect the Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point region of northern Minnesota. Today, the Voyageurs Conservancy is a community of people dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the unique experience of Minnesota’s national park. The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit that works directly with the National Park Service to support conservation and recreation projects, advance education and outreach, and protect the wild nature of the park.