nature – JNPA Blog

Three Trip Ideas for Your Three-Day Weekend

Published on May 16, 2023May 5, 2023 by JNPALeave a comment

Feel like hitting the road? Check out our suggestions for a few fun weekend adventures.

Trip 1- St. Louis

Day 1– Let’s start this trip with St. Louis’ own iconic Gateway Arch! Your first stop will be the museum at Gateway Arch National Park, where you will learn all about the history of St. Louis, westward expansion, and the unique architecture contest which resulted in the construction of the Arch. Next, catch a showing of the documentary film Monument to the Dream followed by a tram ride to the top of the Arch. At 630 feet high, you can’t beat those views! For lunch, you can grab a bite at the Arch Café, have a picnic on the beautiful park grounds, or go check out the restaurants downtown. (St. Louis is known for its diverse food offerings.) In the afternoon, take a riverboat tour of the Mighty Mississippi before you do some exploring of Downtown St. Louis. Catch a Cardinals baseball game, go for a stroll through Citygarden Sculpture Park, or take a tour of the National Blues Museum. For dinner, check out the restaurants and nightlife at Ballpark Village.

Day 2– Your main attraction for today will be Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in south St. Louis County. Check out the orientation film and take a self-guided tour of the park’s museum, housed in the historic 1872 horse stable that Grant himself designed. Then embark on a guided tour of White Haven, the home where Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, fell in love and made their life together. Next, head to brunch or lunch at The Barn restaurant before taking a tour of the Thomas Sappington House Museum next door. When you’re done, make sure to take a stroll through Father Dickson Cemetery, one of the first public cemeteries for African Americans in St. Louis. For dinner, take your pick from the many wonderful restaurants in nearby Crestwood, Kirkwood, or Webster Groves.

Day 3– On the final day of your weekend trip, you are going to head an hour south along the Mississippi to the beautiful Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park. This unique park is spread out across multiple buildings in the 18^th century town of Ste. Genevieve. You can take ranger-led tours of the historic Green Tree Tavern and the Jean Baptiste Valle House. Next, you can wander through this picturesque small town and visit the multitude of shops, museums, and restaurants. For dinner, visit one of the six wineries on the Route du Vin Wine Trail.

Trip 2- Arkansas

Day 1– Every good trip begins with a little hope, and for this trip, we are taking that literally! Your first stop is the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site in the quaint town of Hope, Arkansas. Stop by the park’s visitor center before taking a ranger-led tour of the home where our 42^nd President was born. Next, head down the road for lunch at Tailgaters Burger Co. or one of the other local restaurants. In the afternoon, you can check out the Hope Visitor Center and Museum or the quirky Klipsch Museum of Audio History.

Day 2– About a 90-minute drive from Hope is the unique town of Hot Springs. One of the first “spa towns,” Hot Springs has a mix of historic architecture and natural beauty. Though Hot Springs National Park is not one of JNPA’s partner parks, we still don’t want you to miss this gem! Your first stop is the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Visitor Center to talk to a ranger and learn more about the history of the area. Next, you can check out historic Bathhouse Row or go for a hike on one of the park’s many miles of trails. For lunch, stop by the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the only brewery located in a national park! In the afternoon and evening, go for a soak at one of the bathhouses, take another hike, or check out Downtown Hot Springs.

Day 3– Continuing northeast for an hour, this trip ends at the capital of Arkansas, the bustling city of Little Rock. At Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, you will learn about the bravery of the Little Rock Nine and the rocky beginnings of the desegregation of America’s schools. Stop by the park’s visitor center first to view the exhibits and watch the interpretive film. Then, take a ranger-led tour of the school, which is still in use today. Ask the park rangers for a lunch recommendation before heading into the city to check out one of the many other cultural institutions. Don’t forget to visit the State Capitol Building, which offers free guided tours. Animal enthusiasts may want to see the Little Rock Zoo, or art aficionados may enjoy the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. For an outstanding ending to your Arkansas vacation, check out one of the many local restaurants for dinner.

Trip 3- Northern Minnesota

Day 1– At over 200,000 acres, Voyageurs National Park will take up all three days of this getaway. Your first stop will be one of the three visitor centers. The largest, Rainy Lake Visitor Center, offers exhibits, an orientation film about the park, and a bookstore (operated by you-know-who). Next, head out on one of the park’s many hiking trails to take in the scenery. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy along the trail, but make sure to pack out what you pack in. End your day by getting settled into your lodgings. You could opt for the Kettle Falls Hotel or get a bit more adventurous: there are a variety of camping options at Voyageurs or you could even rent a houseboat!

Day 2– For your only full day at the park, take the opportunity to participate in a guided tour or two. In the Rainy Lake district, you can take a boat tour aboard the Voyageur, or in the Namakan district, you can voyage on the park’s newest tour boat, the Ne-zho-dain. If you are feeling extra adventurous, sign up for one of the park’s North Canoe Voyages, where you can paddle a replica of a north canoe while being immersed in an on-the-water living history lesson!

Day 3– For your final day at Voyageurs, take time to check out the Ellsworth Rock Gardens and the Harry Oveson Fish Camp, or do a bit of birdwatching. Then on your way out of the park, stop by one of the gateway communities, such as International Falls, to see the sights and restaurants they have to offer.

Happy traveling!

Wonderful Winter Wildlife

Published on February 7, 2023April 11, 2023 by JNPALeave a comment

Winter, a time of frozen lakes, sparkling snowfall, frigid temperatures, and… abundant wildlife? If you’re in Voyageurs National Park, then yes! Though temperatures remain below freezing in the park for nearly a third of the year(!), that does not stop some intrepid animals from making an appearance.

Winter is actually the ideal time of year to visit Voyageurs if you are hoping to see gray wolves in the wild. As the dominant predator in the park, they have an active and healthy population throughout the year, but during winter they can be more easily seen as they move along the lake shores hunting for food.

The largest mammal in Voyageurs National Park is the magnificent and formidable moose. During the winter, moose have less access to high-quality foods, instead feeding on large quantities of willow, birch, and aspen. The scarcity of food resources forces the animals to conserve their energy, which includes staying away from deep snow and using packed trails or cleared roads. This increases the likelihood that wildlife enthusiasts might see them, though you will want to be especially alert when driving in moose territory! Even if you do not see wild moose, you may be lucky enough to spot their antlers lying in the snow, as adult bull moose shed their antlers during the winter.

*Snowshoe hare in summer, fall, and winter. Credit: NPS*

An animal that may be more challenging to spot in winter is the snowshoe hare. These small mammals are slightly larger than a cottontail rabbit and live primarily in coniferous forests such as those found in Voyageurs. Snowshoe hares are unique because their fur actually changes color depending on the season! In summer, they are dark brown to blend in with the shadows of their forest habitat. In winter, their fur turns a brilliant white which helps them to perfectly blend in with the snow.

No matter the season, Voyageurs is a perfect place for birdwatching. Many species of birds remain in the park throughout the winter, including loons, grey owls, great horned owls, cardinals, and warblers. One majestic bird actually migrates TO Minnesota in winter! Canadian winters actually drive snowy owls south to the more “moderate” climate of Voyageurs National Park, though they return north during the warmer summer months. These beautiful birds have perfect camouflage for the snowy months and the eerie ability to fly in complete silence, presenting a challenge for birdwatchers. But if you are incredibly lucky, you may be able to spot one!

Voyageurs National Park: 80 Years in the Making

Published on January 3, 2023March 1, 2023 by JNPALeave a comment

Voyageurs National Park is a wonderland of lakes, streams, forests, and wildlife. It is also one of the few places in North America where you can see and touch rocks half the age of the Earth. The exposed rock is the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, the gigantic dome of volcanic bedrock that forms the core of the continent.

As this special site gets ready to celebrate its 52^nd year as a national park on January 8, it’s worth looking back on its controversial beginnings. Voyageurs is a park that took 80 years to create!

All the way back in 1891, the Minnesota Legislature passed a resolution requesting that the federal government create a national park in Minnesota by “setting apart a tract of land along the northern boundary of the state.” Congress never acted upon the request but that didn’t stop nature lovers from continuing to press for some form of federal protection for the forest and water resources of northeastern Minnesota, especially the border lakes region. History lovers, too, wanted the area preserved to commemorate the intrepid French-Canadian voyageurs who once criss-crossed its lakes and streams to transport furs and other goods.

However, opposition to the national park proposal was fierce, especially from business interests who wanted to take advantage of the area’s abundant natural resources, primarily forests, minerals, and water. The battle also pitted locals against what they called “outsiders,” i.e., lawmakers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and “land grabbing” federal lawmakers.

The stalemate continued through the mid-20^th century until the 1950s and 1960s, when park proponents managed to interest the National Park Service in developing a plan for a national park. In October of 1962, the NPS Advisory Board submitted a formal recommendation to the Secretary of Interior, noting that the area was “superbly qualified to be designated the second national park in the Midwest.” (Isle Royale was the first national park in the region.)

It took years for the park’s enabling legislation to pass Congress, part of which required the State of Minnesota to donate 36,000 acres of state-owned land to the effort. Many local residents were still opposed, seeing the move as encroachment by the federal government that would limit logging and hunting in the area and decrease taxable property.

But finally in 1971 President Nixon signed the Voyageurs bill into law, though the site wouldn’t be officially established as the nation’s 36^th national park until 1975.

After the creation of the park, NPS began planning and constructing trails, boating sites, and other visitor amenities; it also established the area as a site for scientific research and conservation. In 1992, a wildlife protection zone was established for the gray wolf. More than 220 Indigenous pre-contact sites have been identified within the park, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The path to national park status isn’t always smooth. But JNPA, for one, is gratified that Voyageurs will continue to protect this invaluable wilderness experience for all Americans.

Who Were the Voyageurs?

Published on October 18, 2022November 22, 2022 by JNPA2 Comments

Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota is a rugged wilderness of clear blue lakes, pine forests, and bountiful wildlife. After glaciers scoured the landscape and carved deep valleys and waterways hundreds of thousands of years ago, they exposed rock formations averaging one to three billion years old – some of the oldest rocks on the continent! Human inhabitants eventually made use of the abundant resources the area offered, from early indigenous peoples to the waves of European settlers who followed them. Among these were the intrepid explorers who traveled by canoe in search of animal pelts and other goods to trade and transport. These were the voyageurs, for whom the park is named.

But just who were they?

“Voyageurs on a sleigh on a river” by Andries Vermeulen, 1640-72

At the height of the North American fur trade in the 18^th and 19^th centuries, Europeans were clamoring for pelts of beaver, otter, mink, fox, and other fur-bearing animals. After the New England states were mostly hunted out, businesses started looking to the deep unexplored wilderness in middle of the continent for new sources of pelts.

Several large trading corporations – mostly based in Montreal – recruited hearty French Canadian men to transport their precious cargo over the region’s many rivers and lakes. These canoe-bound adventurers came to be known as voyageurs (French for travelers). A typical voyageur was a short man (better to fit in a canoe) from an impoverished background who was eager to find a calling that would pay well. He would take to the wilderness with a group of other company recruits for months or years at a time, subsisting on rations of pork, corn, rice, and fish.

The life of these cargo haulers was a physically grueling one. It was expected that each voyageur would work at least 14 hours a day, paddle 50 strokes a minute, and carry two bales of 90 pounds each across each portage. To keep a rhythm for their paddling, the voyageurs sang a variety of songs. Singing also helped pass the time and made the work seem lighter.

“At the Portage: Hudson’s Bay Company’s Employés on their annual expedition” by Harry Ogden in George Monro Grant’s *Picturesque Canada*, Vol. I (New York: Belden Brothers, 1882)

Many voyageurs maintained good relations with local tribal nations. In Minnesota, that was primarily the Ojibwe and the Dakota. They learned from indigenous people how to survive in the regions they travelled, and they adopted many of the Natives’ traditional methods and technologies. In fact, the canoe itself was a Native American invention.

It is this historic interplay of both indigenous and European cultures that created a lasting impact on the peoples and area now known today as Voyageurs National Park.

Header image credit: “Canoe Manned by Voyageurs Passing a Waterfall” by Frances Anne Hopkins, 1869

Come Sail Away with Me

Published on September 27, 2022October 25, 2022 by JNPALeave a comment

When you visit Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota, you’re going to want to ditch the car. The stunning 218,000-acre park — with more than 500 islands and 655 miles of pristine shoreline – is best explored by boat. But what if you don’t want to bring (or rent) a boat yet still want to experience Voyageur’s scenery of rugged, pine-covered shorelines and bountiful wildlife? No worries – the park staff has you covered!

You can enjoy this watery wonderland aboard a tour boat offered by the park. With Voyageurs staff member as guides, you’ll experience incredible views of forests, rock outcroppings and secluded islands while hearing captivating stories of the park’s past. And if you visit in the next month or so, the fall foliage will begin standing out amid the evergreens, their reflection on the water providing twice the color.

Depending on which visitor center you leave from, the park has two tour boats to choose from, each of which travels on different lakes. The “Voyageur” cruises on Rainy Lake and the brand new “Ne-zho-dain” on Kabetogama and Namakan Lakes. The 32-passenger Ne-zho-dain debuted this summer and features trips to areas only accessible from the water, like Kettle Falls and the whimsical Ellsworth Rock Gardens. Visitors can view the park’s wildlife, geology, and scenery from an enclosed cabin or an open-air deck. The new tour boat was named after Chief Ne-zho-dain, a a local indigenous leader who was reported to be the last known Ojibwe survivor of an infamous 1842 battle with the Cut Foot Sioux.

Both of the park’s tour boats are fully accessible. If weather conditions permit, they will operate during the first part of autumn before shutting down for winter. So if you can’t make it to the park right now, be sure to book a spring or summer tour next year. Tickets can be booked online here.

The Coolest Architects at Voyageurs National Park

Published on August 30, 2022October 4, 2022 by JNPALeave a comment

Voyageurs National Park may owe its very existence to a furry, flat-tailed rodent. The 218,000-acre park, 40% of which is covered by water, is the perfect habitat for one very unique mammal… the American beaver. Beavers have historically played a pivotal role there, since the titular French-Canadian “voyageurs” first came to the area to trade with the Ojibwe tribe for beaver furs. While trapping is no longer allowed in what is now the national park, beavers continue to make an impact on the ecosystem.

Beavers are the largest rodents in the United States and are one of the only animals (outside of humans) who actively alter their habitat to suit their needs. The animals mate for life, and beaver parents raise their young in structures they build called “lodges.” These lodges are constructed on the edges of ponds and lakes and are made of mud and sticks chewed by the beavers. By locating the single lodge entrance underwater, the parents are better able to protect their babies (called “kits”) from predators. Beavers’ construction talents can alter entire ecosystems. If there is not an existing body of water large enough on which to build their lodge, they will dam up a river or stream to create a suitable habitat for their homes. This activity will flood the surrounding area, killing trees and undergrowth. The resulting wetland will then attract insects, fish and other wildlife, greatly increasing the area’s biodiversity.

A beaver lodge at Voyageurs National Park. *Credit: NPS*

Not only are beavers great architects, but they also have some other truly unique characteristics. Beavers have two large incisors which grow continuously throughout their life. They use these teeth to cut down trees and branches. Beavers are also known for their distinctive large flat tail. Most people would correctly assume that they use it to help with swimming, but did you know that they also use it to help balance while standing up to chew branches? They will also slap it on the surface of the water (making an incredibly loud noise!) in order to scare away any intruders.

As one of the many beloved animals that call Voyageurs home, beavers have been studied extensively by park staff. During a research project from 2006-2009, biologists tagged nearly 500 beavers. By tracking the tagged beavers over the next few years, they were able to determine that young beavers can travel up to 30-50 miles from where they were born! This mobility may be due to the interconnected lake system in Voyageurs, which allows young beavers to travel long distances without ever leaving the water (and thus avoiding predators). Beavers are adapted quite well to water. They can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes and have see-through eyelids which they use as goggles!

Today the highest recorded density of beavers in the U.S. can be found in the protected waters of Voyageurs: between 3,800 to 4,750 animals, based on 948 active beaver lodges found in a recent park study. If you visit Voyageurs National Park, you may be lucky enough to see a lodge or even catch a glimpse of a beaver, and there are things you can do to help protect these wonderful animals. Make sure to always keep your distance from any wildlife you encounter, both for their safety and yours. Also, do not approach, touch, or walk on a beaver lodge. This could damage the structure and disrupt or even injure the animals inside. You can learn more about the beavers and other wildlife that call Voyageurs home by clicking here.

A Rocky Wonderland in the North Woods

Published on July 19, 2022August 16, 2022 by JNPA1 Comment

Most people visit Voyageurs National Park to experience the scenic splendor of its forests, view its diverse wildlife, and enjoy boating on its pristine lakes. However, there’s one surprising attraction at Voyageurs that owes its existence not to nature, but to one very imaginative, relentless craftsman.

In the 1940s, Chicago carpenter Jack Ellsworth spent summers with his wife on land that later became the national park; it was there that he had a vision. He began to carve complex terraced gardens on a prominent rocky outcrop near his home, using the native materials that he found on-site.

Over the next 20 summers, Ellsworth constructed 62 rock-bordered flower beds which he connected with stone stairways, grassy paths, bridges, and stepping stones. He filled the terraced beds with more than 13,000 lilies and other flower varieties, creating a colorful artistic wonderland now known as the Ellsworth Rock Gardens on the shores of Kabetogama Lake.

Over time, Ellsworth accented his landscape with whimsical stone sculptures ranging from monoliths and carved animals to benches, chairs and tables. Many of his sculptures are carefully balanced rock formations, created without mortar.

The rock gardens soon became a popular tourist destination despite its remote location. Ellsworth continued to maintain and embellish his gardens until the mid-1960s, when his health began to fail and he could no longer visit the area. Without his supervision, the nearby forests slowly engulfed the terraced gardens and many of his sculptures deteriorated.

Soon after Voyageurs became a 218,000-acre national park in 1975, the National Park Service acquired the Ellsworth Rock Gardens land as well. The aging cabins and outbuildings were removed but no real maintenance was performed on the area until the mid-1990s. Then NPS staff and volunteers began removing the invading vegetation and shoring up the historic features. They also built a new dock where park visitors can moor their boats during their garden visit (the site is only accessible by water) and installed interpretive signs.

If you’re planning a trip to Minnesota this summer, carve out time to visit the Ellsworth Rock Gardens. You won’t be disappointed.

Animals Have Mothers Too!

Published on May 3, 2022May 31, 2022 by JNPALeave a comment

As we approach Mother’s Day, it’s important to honor those who raised us. But it’s also a fun time to celebrate amazing animal moms. Look no farther than Voyageurs National Park for some great examples.

Gray wolf moms have litters of four to six pups, who remain with her in the den for six to eight weeks. Only the alpha female in a pack of gray wolves will become a mother, but all adult pack members contribute to supporting her and her pups. Young wolves will stay with their parents for two or more years before leaving to start their own territory, or they may stay with the pack and eventually replace their mother or father as alpha.

Voyageurs is a paradise for waterfowl, including the beautiful and haunting common loon. Mother loons typically have one or two chicks per year. It is very difficult for the birds to walk on their awkward legs, so the moms do not travel far from the water’s edge during nesting; and they spend much of their time in the water once their chicks hatch. Loon moms (and dads!) are very devoted parents and occasionally even carry their chicks on their back!

Black bears typically have two cubs every other year. A mother bear gives birth while she is in her den for the winter, then spends the time until spring dozing on and off while her cubs nurse. (That is a lot more sleep than human moms get in the early days!) The cubs will stay with their mother throughout spring, summer, and fall and will hibernate with her the following winter. They finally strike out on their own the following spring, when they are about 1 ½ years old.

Bald eagle moms are very fortunate, as parenting duties are split evenly between moms and dads. Eagles lay one to three eggs per year, which hatch after about 35 days. The nestlings will remain in the next for 10-14 weeks, during which time both mom and dad will care for them.

Female moose are beginning to give birth this time of year. Typically, a mother has one or two calves, which grow extremely quickly and can outrun a human by five days old! (Can you imagine having to chase your baby five days after giving birth?) Moose calves stay with their mother for about a year.

If you are looking for an animal-inspired gift for your mom this year, check out these beautiful wolf earrings or this stunning photo book all about the amazing loon.