Dark Sky Festival

Cook County is home to one of the darkest skies in the world. Every year, explorers, adventurers, artists and photographers from around the world travel to Cook County to experience the northern lights. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) has been named as one of only 13 certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world! And at over a million acres, it is the largest. Help us to celebrate our dark sky season at the third Dark Sky Festival!

Thursday December 9, 4-8pm

Dark Skies Dinner, Constellation Presentation and Celestial Legends Guided Night Hike | Gunflint Lodge,Gunflint Trail
There’s no better place to experience our world class dark sky than the Gunflint Trail on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Join us for opening night at the historic Gunflint Lodge for a special night
Stay in a lakeside fireplace cabin Dec. 8-10 with Gunflint Lodge’s Dark Skies Package, with dark sky dinner, presentation and night hike included.

Friday, December 10, 6-10pm

6 pm Turn Out the Lights! at Harbor Park, Grand Marais
Join us in Harbor Park overlooking Lake Superior and watch as Grand Marais goes dark for a few minutes to enjoy a dark[er] sky over the iconic harbor.

6:15-10 pm Star Party at Voyageur Brewing Company

Join staff and students from the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at Voyageur Brewing for a Star Party that will include telescope viewing, a live star/constellation show under the stars, and delicious food and drink. *Telescope viewing and live star/constellation show are weather permitting, but Star Party to take place with activities regardless of weather.

Saturday, December 11, 8 pm

Dark Sky Adventures with Travis Novitsky at Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais

Travis will share stories, insights, and adventures to help illuminate the mystery and beauty of the dark skies still found in Minnesota’s Arrowhead region. Travis is a life-long resident of the north shore of Lake Superior and a citizen of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation. A self-taught nature and wildlife photographer, he has been photographing the night sky for over 20 years.

Additional Info

Categories: No Categories