Spring/Summer Programs
Spring rains bring flowers to bloom and we embrace the open water to add summer specific programs. This will be indicated with a ☀️.
Fall/Winter Programs
As the leaves fall and snow blankets the ground our programs begin to shift. Please note that winter specific programs will be indicated with a ❄️. Winter hikes become more challenging with snow covered and possibly icy trails, boot crampons and trekking poles may be recommended.
The Gunflint Naturalists are pleased to host a self-guided Interpretive Hiking Trail. Download the guide to all trail indicators here.
Presentations
Life of a Voyageur Presentation
The Voyageurs in the fur trade were like the truck drivers and truck engines of today. They were the fastest way to get trade goods into the interior, and furs back to Europe. Come to this activity and learn what the lives of these early adventurers were like well over a century ago.
Spiders
Did you know that spider silk, ounce for ounce, is actually stronger than steel? How about that it is liquid when inside the spider? Come to this interesting new program and learn about these very beneficial, yet highly misunderstood forms of life.
Northern Lights
Come learn about one of the most fascinating phenomena around the world in this fascinating presentation about the Aurora Borealis.
Ravens and their Relatives Presentation
Come learn about one of the smartest of all birds, the northern raven. We will also learn about some of the raven’s relatives, including: the American crow, Canada jay, and blue jay.
Celestial Legends ❄️
Come learn the legends of the stars and planets. We will cover stories from several cultures, and at the end, go out and see the constellations visible from the Gunflint Nature Center.
Bats
Did you know that the little brown bat (one of the local species) can eat up to 1,600 mosquitoes per hour? How about that bananas, mangoes, and dates are pollinated by fruit bats? Come learn about these amazing flying mammals in this fascinating new presentation.
Craft Projects
Soap Making
Have you ever wondered how soap is made? We will be melting the soap base, adding color and scent, and pouring it into a mold to get your very own bar of homemade soap. We have a wide variety of bases, colors, scents, additives, and molds to choose from in this exciting activity.
Watercolor Craft and Hike
Go on a hike to a beautiful place, paint a picture of it in your mind, and return to the Gunflint Nature Center to put your mind’s painting on paper with watercolors.
Dream Catchers
The dream catchers are an Anishinaabe tradition used to capture bad dreams, while letting the good dreams through the hole in the center. The bad dreams that are caught in the webbing melt away with the morning dew. Come to this craft and construct your own dream catcher which will influence your dreams for years. Kids under age 15, please bring an adult helper.
Candle Making
Learn the ancient art of candle making by creating a sand candle and dip candle. Due to the length of time it takes to heat the wax, please sign up at least two hours in advance.
Wreath Making ❄️(Nov & Dec Special)
Come make your own wreath to hang on your door this holiday season. Participants in this activity work together to clip the branches, clump them together, wire them onto the frames (with our machine), and decorate with ribbons. Due to the pandemic, only one cabin will be allowed in at a time with a maximum of 6 participants.
Daylight Hikes
Wild Edibles
Many have asked, “Are there wild edibles in the winter?” The answer is a resounding “yes.” Come on this easy hike and learn about how to make pine needle tea, flour from cattails, harvest tree bark, and much more.
Photography
During this hike we will focus on how to set up the picture to make it interesting, and we will take some great photos of things near and far. A camera is not required for this activity.
Geology of the High Cliffs
The High Cliffs were formed underground during a major rifting event several eons ago. Massive continental glaciers came through during the Great Ice Age, and dug away the softer surrounding rock, leaving gigantic cliffs towering above the landscape. Learn about these things and much more on this fascinating hike in which we see one of the best geological views in Minnesota.
Geology Hike to Lookout Point
This is an easier version of the geology hike listed above in which we travel to Lookout Point and learn about Gunflint Trail and Lake Superior Geology.
Bird Migration Hike ☀️
Spring and fall are the times to witness some of nature’s greatest journeys; the migrations of the birds. Birding during migration is very exciting because you never know what you are going to see. Some birds are migrating from the Gunflint Trail, others are migrating to it, and there are also avifauna that are just coming through this beautiful region. Come on this fun hike, see some amazing birds, and learn about one of the greatest adventures on Earth.
Night Hikes
Celestial Legends Night Hike
Have you ever heard the song ‘Follow the Drinking Gourd’? Did you know that the song acted as a map for escaping slaves who were trying to gain their freedom, or that the drinking gourd is also known as the Big Dipper? Learn about this, along with other fascinating celestial facts and legends as we take a trek under the stars. Due to the lower light conditions, this activity is challenging. Be sure to bundle up to stay warm.
Wolf Howling Night Hike
Join a Naturalist on a night-time trek through the wilderness as we communicate with one of the most spectacular of all northern animals, the gray wolf. Along the way, we will learn about the wolf, and why it likes to howl. This activity can be challenging due to the lower light conditions.
Things to Know about Night Hikes
- Dress in warm layers. If there is any wind, make sure everything is covered. Remember, it is colder when the sun goes down.
- Wear warm boots with good traction.
- If you want or need snowshoes, they must be picked up at the Outfitter’s rental shop prior to 4:00 PM.
- Leave your white lights in your cabin; red lights are fine to bring along. White lights wreck night vision, red lights do not.
- Hiking in the forest at night is an amazing experience that you will never forget!
Paddling Excursions ☀️
*For safety, each kid under age 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
*All paddling activities are moderate to challenging.
*See Birding Activities (above) for more ways to paddle!
Fire and Ice Geology Paddle
There are several fascinating Precambrian geological formations within easy paddling distance of the lodge. Join one of our naturalists to gain a new appreciation of extremely ancient history.
Sunset Canoe Paddle
Come view the sunset on Gunflint Lake from the beautiful vantage point of one of our canoes.
Wildfire Ecology Canoe Paddle
Come learn what happens during a fire, how our fire dependent ecosystem reacts to the fire, and a local fire history in this fascinating new paddling activity.
Birding Canoe Paddle
In this fun and informative paddle, we will learn about birds while searching for such species as the common loon, red-necked grebe, American black duck, common merganser, and much more. This activity will be moderately challenging.
Eagle Canoe Paddle
Come learn about our national bird while taking a scenic paddle.
Loon Kayak Paddle
There are several pairs of loons who nest on Gunflint and Magnetic Lakes. Learn some interesting facts about our state bird while paddling among them.
Nordic Skiing Excursions ❄️
Introduction to Nordic Skiing Lesson
Learn the basics of Nordic Skiing which will get you off to a great start on a lifetime of winter fitness and joy.
Night Ski
Our night ski will be around the moderately difficult Little Pine Lit Ski Trail. If you need to rent skis, please come to the Outfitters well before 3:00 PM.