Boreal Stargazing Week

Join Voyageurs Conservancy’s Education & Dark Sky Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador to learn about the winter stars above and the stories they hold. This beginner-friendly program invites you to step outside, explore key winter constellations and deep sky wonders, and learn how we can protect our view of the cosmos from light pollution. No telescope needed – just a sense of curiosity and a warm coat!

There’s something about winter in Voyageurs that makes you slow down. Maybe it’s the way the lakes freeze over, or how the night sky stretches on forever without a single city light to interrupt it. Out here, the silence is full — full of stories, full of memory, full of meaning.

This February, we’ll gather under the stars and on the ice — two landscapes that have always held deep importance for Indigenous communities in this region. Ice fishing wasn’t just about catching dinner. It was (and still is) a way to listen, to wait, to understand the season and the spirit of the land. The stars above weren’t just beautiful — they were maps, calendars, and reminders of one’s place in a much larger story.

For generations, Indigenous peoples have followed the rhythms of the natural world — traveling by starlight, feeding their families from frozen waters, passing down knowledge through quiet observation and shared experience.

The Boundary Waters is a designated “Dark Sky Sanctuary,” but what does that mean and why does it matter? In this virtual session, students will learn about dark sky sanctuaries and why they are important. We’ll spend some time practicing our observation skills as well as look at some of the unique features of the Boundary Waters’ night sky. We’ll end this session by looking at our own night sky and the special features you can see outside your own window.

This special evening kicks off a week-long celebration exploring artistic representations of the night sky.

Enjoy family-friendly activities featuring educational displays and art inspired by the cosmos. Then bundle up and head outside for guided stargazing! View the moon and celestial objects through telescopes, learn to identify winter constellations, and hear the myths and stories behind them. Warm up by the bonfire with hot cocoa as you take in the beauty of the February night sky. All ages welcome. Free!

More program details coming soon!

Join us around the campfire for a candle lit art experience. Try painting, drawing, and writing about the dark sky. Or wander away from the light and try your hand at Astro photography – all under the dark skies of the Superior National Forest!

More info to come

5:30-6:15 p.m: Indoor presentation with Astro Bob, author and night sky educator.
6:15-8:30 p.m: Step outside for telescope viewing at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Drop by and stay as long as you’d like.

After a look at current night sky sights, we blast off for Jupiter and learn all about its storms, aurora and dancing moons.

Want to learn about what happens at the Refuge after dark? This FREE experience includes a guided walk, stargazing (to the extent conditions allow) local art viewing and many more hands-on activities that help us explore the mysteries of the night sky. Open to all ages. No experience needed, come learn about the wonders of the darkness and how you can help reduce light pollution!

Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.

Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik (Grand Portage Ojibwe, Direct Descendent) – an artist, author and educator – will share a presentation “Our Relatives at Night” featuring art of the evening sky, including sharing of stories that inspired the pieces. Sam Zimmerman will share paintings that feature the night sky, different animal, bird, and fish relatives that are in the pieces. Children and adults of all ages and families are welcome.

Join us at the Bell Museum on Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15 to explore our planet, Earth. We’ll take a look at what makes Earth ‘”just right,” how we learn about it from space, and what we can do to be good stewards of our special planet. Throughout the weekend we’ll have talks, hands-on activities, and researchers in the museum!

Love stories of the stars!
Join Park Rangers and members of the Polar Polers Nordic Ski Club for a fun cross-country ski adventure. Winter equipment (skis and snowshoes) is available to borrow from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for free while supplies last. No registration needed—meet at the Black Bay Trailhead.

After skiing, gather around a campfire and explore the night sky through telescopes and hear love stories from the stars at Black Bay Beaver Pond. A short hike, snowshoe, ski, or drive will lead you to the viewing area. No registration needed – meet at the trailhead.

The event includes a self-guided ski, snowshoe, or hike along luminary-lit trails, with a bonfire and treats available at the trailhead parking lot. This is a joint event sponsored by the Sugarbush Trail Association and Bluefin Bay Resorts.

• Snowshoe & Hiking Route: There will be approximately 1/2 mile of candlelit hiking trails. The hiking trail is part of the LeVeaux Mountain trail and will take guests through a stunning fire forest to a bridge over the Onion River. This section of trail is rated beginner.
• Cross Country Skiing Route: There will be approximately 1k of candlelit skiing trails. The ski trail is part of the Onion River Road section of the Sugarbush Trails and is rated beginner.

This event is open to everyone and no sign-ups are required.