This spring, visitors in droves will make a pilgrimage to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum looking for the sorely needed color explosion that only MLA’s sprawling tulip displays can provide.
This spring, visitors in droves will make a pilgrimage to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum looking for the sorely needed color explosion that only MLA’s sprawling tulip displays can provide.
“People think of tulips as perennials, but they’re not really, anymore,” says Arb senior gardener Aimee Thuen. “We consider them annuals. So, every year, a new display and color design gets planned. We cherish them for their short season, then we say goodbye when they’re done.”
That means even though the tulips bloom for just about four weeks (mid-April to mid-May, peaking around Mother’s Day, depending on the weather and snowpack), monitoring the Arb’s tulips is actually a full-time job. Throughout the summer, the gardening team researches new varieties and color schemes for all the tulip-adorned spaces on the grounds and then spends hundreds of hours planting bulbs in the fall before the ground freezes. They devote winter and early spring to protecting the precious bulbs and shoots—which are “like a salad bar for critters,” according to Thuen—by putting up deer fences and spraying an organic solution that makes them taste bitter to deer and rabbits. But it’s all worth it when Chaska suddenly looks like a scene from a postcard of Amsterdam and the promise of warm days returns.
108
Number of tulip varieties in this spring’s display, with a color scheme that includes citrusy oranges, yellows, and greens, plus a smattering of purples as a complement. “Green flowers are fairly rare,” senior gardener Aimee Thuen says. “But one of the varieties we’ll use, Green Mile, it’s green and yellow, and the petals open up a bit to be almost lily shaped.”
2005
Year tulips first became one of the Arboretum’s spring draws, coinciding with the opening of the Oswald Visitor Center and the current Annual Garden. In 2014, the tulips were endowed by Corrie Beck. The endowment supports the cost and planting of all the new bulbs.
100,000+
Approximate number of visitors who come from all around the state (and beyond) to see the tulips in bloom.
500
Hours it takes the 40-plus-person staff, plus dozens of volunteers, to plant the new bulbs each October.
40,000
Number of tulips that bloom each year—find 20,000 in the main Annual Garden space and the rest sprinkled among gardens near the Oswald Visitor Center, the gatehouse, and the Highway 5 entrance.
7,000
Space, in square feet, the tulips take up throughout the Arb’s grounds.
Jesse Gates of Voyageurs Conservancy shared how the park’s nonprofit partner is celebrating on April 8th, on the actual anniversary and throughout the summer.
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INTERNATIONAL FALLS — Voyageurs National Park is turning 50.
Minnesota’s only national park was established April 8th, 1975.
Voyageurs and its more famous neighbor, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, have a lot in common. Both hug the Canadian border, both are best explored by boat — though unlike the BWCA, the national park allows motorboats — and both aim to preserve the stunning rock formations and dense forests of the border lakes region.
The parks also share the conservation efforts of writer and environmentalist Sigurd Olson, who, though more often associated with the BWCA, is credited with naming Voyageurs.
Olson was one of the founders of the Voyageurs Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of the national park. Founded 10 years before the park’s creation, the group aimed to preserve the Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point lakes region.
The Conservancy is leading the celebration of Voyageurs National Park’s 50th anniversary. The organization will held a virtual presentation of the park’s museum collections in the National Park Headquarters in International Falls, where visitors can see artifacts and archival materials in person.
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Voyageurs Conservancy
Jesse Gates is an education specialist for Voyageurs Conservancy.
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But Jesse Gates, an education specialist for Voyageurs Conservancy, said the celebration doesn’t stop there.
“We have a lot of programs going throughout the entire year. We’ll have National Park Week, birthday brewery party, we’ll have limited merchandise, prints, we’ll have a photo contest, we’ll have a scavenger hunt, we’ll be celebrating our new visitor center that’s opening in Crane Lake, we’ll be at the Minnesota State Fair,” Gates said.
“So, we’ve got a lot of things going on.”
Based in International Falls, Gates came to the park as a ranger to help create its dark sky programming not long after Voyageurs became a certified International Dark Sky Park. It and the Boundary Waters are the only such places in the state.
“I educate about why dark skies are so important, mentioning to both the public and to students ways that we can reduce light pollution and enjoy the beautiful dark skies, which Voyageurs National Park is renowned for that,” he said.
Gates often works with students or the next generation of the park. He said it’s important to get kids invested in nature early. He said children have a natural curiosity about the resources Voyageurs aims to protect, like
plants and animals.
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Voyageurs Conservancy
Students on a field trip at Voyageurs National Park.
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“I lead field trips and get them to appreciate Voyageurs National Park in hopes that they can love and appreciate this place that’s in their backyard and hope that they will become future stewards of the land,” Gates said.
Voyageurs is one of the least visited national parks in the country, and Gates said even many Minnesotans don’t know the state has a national park.
“I would encourage people to come up to the park and to enjoy your national park. National parks are for everyone,” he said.
“… We’re really excited to be celebrating the 50th birthday for Voyageurs. We have a lot of fun events and activities coming up that will honor five decades of adventure, connection and conservation.”
Millions of monarch butterflies migrate to Minnesota every spring, making it a beautiful and unique natural event.
Most of us know the Land of 10,000 Lakes is an important migratory flyway for many species of birds. But there’s another famous migration that takes place in Minnesota every year. It’s much quieter, but just as beautiful. Millions of monarch butterflies migrate to the North Star State every spring. So, when do monarch butterflies migrate through Minnesota? Read on to find out!
Are there monarch butterflies in Minnesota? Yes! Did you know the monarch butterfly is even the state butterfly of Minnesota? These beautiful insects are famous for their cross-country migration each spring and fall.
So, you’re probably wondering, “When is the best time to see monarch butterflies in Minnesota?” Every spring, millions of monarch butterflies begin migrating from their wintering site in Mexico. They fly north into the United States and parts of Canada.
Along the way, butterflies lay their tiny eggs on milkweed plants.
The eggs hatch and monarch caterpillars begin to grow. In just a few weeks, the caterpillar becomes a butterfly. These newborn butterflies continue the migration north. Several generations of monarchs are born and die during the migration. Monarch butterflies have a short lifespan of just two to six weeks. However, the last generation of the year generally lives between eight and nine months.
Monarch butterflies typically return to Minnesota in mid-May. However, September is one of the best times to see monarch butterflies in Minnesota. Large groups of butterflies gather on trees and bushes to prepare for the up to 3,000-mile journey south. The tiny insects, weighing in at only an ounce, can fly as many as 100 miles each day.
Those butterflies that make the journey will spend the winter in warm weather before continuing the cycle again next spring. The monarch butterfly migration brings beautiful insects to Minnesota every year.
Monarch butterflies thrive in southwestern Minnesota’s prairies, where milkweed and other prairie flowers grow naturally, but you don’t have to travel to see these natural beauties. You can also draw them to your backyard by planting milkweed. Look in your favorite gardening store or online for seeds.
Plant common milkweed, which is native to Minnesota, in your yard, ideally in September or October before the first frost of the season. Fall planting helps strengthen the germination of seeds in the spring. Don’t worry, though, if you’ve missed the fall planting (I have). You can also plant milkweed in the spring, preferably after the final frost.
Where you plant the milkweed is also important. Full sun is ideal, although partial shade tends to work, too. Most of my yard is open space, so I’ve chosen a spot that’s in the full sun and near a window so I can watch the monarch butterflies feed from indoors.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Are there monarch butterflies in Minnesota,” now you know. Where is your favorite place – maybe a local park or a hiking trail – to spot the monarch butterflies in Minnesota? Let us know by nominating it.
While these butterflies still arrive by the millions, their numbers are dwindling. For more information about the insects, check out the DNR monarch butterfly page. For information about attracting the butterflies to your yard, check out the DNR’s butterfly garden page. You can also find monarch butterfly garden kits on platforms like Etsy.
This year’s event will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Northern Iron Horse Railroad Society, a local railroad club dedicated to preserving and celebrating railroading history.
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The event will feature model railroads in multiple scales, including an expansive LEGO city and railroad displays. The Historical Society will also dedicate and offer tours of the X259 caboose, a 1948 Great Northern Railway relic that gives visitors a glimpse into the golden age of American rail travel. Additional activities include railroading model train vendors, unique souvenirs, live story times, and music.
Founded in 1985, the Northern Iron Horse Railroad Society has long been a gathering place for train enthusiasts. The club, which meets in the basement of the Beltrami County History Center, has evolved over the decades from informal gatherings in coffee shops to constructing a permanent model railroad layout. Members have spent years expanding and fine-tuning their display, often enjoying the camaraderie of working together as much as the trains themselves.
Edina Galleria is transformed into a green canopy full of bright colors and animal prints!
The Galleria Floral Experience is back for its sixth year at the Edina mall. On view now, travel to the tropics at the Escape to Paradise display, which will feature vibrant colors, animal prints, and sculptures.
“We’re proud that guests trust Galleria to surprise them, to wow them, to be a destination for experiences that go beyond the ordinary, and this year’s Floral Experience really delivers,” says Wendy Eisenberg, general manager of Galleria Edina, in a press release. “We’ve been creating a free magical getaway for six years and the response from our community, mall visitors, and even our family of stores lets us know all the work in creating our own little spring break destination is worth it.”
You can expect to see 100 species of trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers, as well as thousands of bulbs to create a green canopy and tropical blooms. The event couldn’t be put on without the help of Bachman’s gardeners who install the display during overnight hours and maintain the exhibit throughout the event days.
“Paradise is an effortless place of beauty and total escape, and we’ll be working behind the scenes to make sure that visitors from the first day to the last will feel transported and exhilarated,” says Bachman’s CEO Susan Bachman West in the press release.
Galleria shops and restaurants will also get in on the action. Throughout the exhibit’s 15 days, visitors can see windows and in-store displays and try floral food and drink specials.
In early April, the spring melt gives way to raging waterfalls that start to erase the last remnants of winter.
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Although several outdoor activities halt in early spring, exploring Lake County’s four state parks and the beautiful waterfalls can be a satisfying adventure.
Did you know that there are more than 12 waterfalls in Lake County – the most of any county in Minnesota? Of course, many visitors are familiar with Gooseberry Falls and the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park; however, between the North Shore and the BWCAW, you’ll find off-the-beaten-path trails and falls to explore. Check out the guide below and add these falls to your waterfall-viewing bucket list:
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Waterfalls Along the North Shore in Minnesota
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Gooseberry Falls
Gooseberry Falls in Two Harbors, MN
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Gooseberry Falls earns its popularity as the gateway to the North Shore for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, Lake Superior shoreline, Civilian Conservation Corps log and stone structures, and north woods wildlife. Listen to the thunderous roar of the Gooseberry River’s Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls as it rages through a rocky gorge.
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Gooseberry Falls: Middle Falls and Lower Falls in Spring
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Hike or ski to see the Fifth Falls through a forest of evergreens, aspen, and birch. Camping is available with modern campsites, picnicking, or relaxing along the Lake Superior shoreline or the Gooseberry River.
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Split Rock River Waterfalls
Although Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S., many may not be aware of the waterfalls that run through the Split Rock River. If you seek a unique and beautiful waterfall but don’t want all of the foot traffic near many famous North Shore waterfalls, explore the Split Rock River Falls.
Located along a section of the Superior Hiking Trail, Split Rock Falls offers a beautiful 20-foot waterfall. You can also find a lovely wooden bridge and a surrounding forest to hike and explore. Spring makes the best season to watch the water flow.
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The first part of the hike to the waterfall is about half a mile. The trail leads you down a path to Split Rock Creek and a wooden bridge. Next, you’ll find the water rushing over the cliff.
We recommend hiking boots to access the cascades on the Split Rock River. Then, at the state park, take the Split Rock River Loop Trail, one of our favorite North Shore day hikes, to get a close-up view of the river gorge and waterfalls.
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Tettegouche Waterfalls
Discover the spectacular overlooks at Shovel Point; rocky cliffs and inland bluffs; the cascading 60 ft. High Falls of the Baptism River; and the historic Tettegouche Camp, where visitors can stay the night. Tettegouch ranks as a hiker’s paradise with miles of trails that overlook the Sawtooth Mountains and wind down to inland lakes accessible only by foot.
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High Falls on The Baptism River, Tettegouche, State Park, Minnesota
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Nature lovers adore this park! Hiking trails along the Baptism River provide views of many falls and cascades.
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Baptism River Cascade Falls
Baptism River Cascading Falls, Tettegouche State Park
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Although not as steep as its neighboring falls, the Cascade Falls offer a unique landscape as the water fills an upper pool before it washes down the rocks in the river.
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High Falls
Located within Tettegouche State Park, the High Falls of the Baptism River is the highest waterfall entirely contained in Minnesota. As one of the major highlights of the state park, the waterfall is only a 1.5-mile hike to view. To see the falls from the bottom, it’s a fairly steep hike down and back – but the view is definitely worth the effort!
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Illgen Falls
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Still, within Tettegouche along the Baptism River and just a short drive up HWY 1, you can drive to Illgen Falls. Parking is available just past the Superior Hiking Trail parking area. These falls also feature a great swimming hole!
Two-Step Falls
On the hike towards the High Falls, you can observe the Two-Step Falls, about a 1.2-mile walk along the trail.
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Glen Avon Waterfalls
Although typically unknown to the casual North Shore traveler, Glen Avon Falls, a hidden North-Shore gem, is a popular destination for anglers. Visitors can park and walk about 40 yards across a red, rocky area to the river’s edge.
Beaver Falls
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The Beaver River flows gently along to this juncture and then widens into a dramatic drop over a route of over 100 tumbling yards, down and down broad rock shelves. Then, the river again narrows, circulating at the bottom in a slow whirlpool before continuing. The Instagram-worthy vista sets in a broad valley with a forested ridge hiding the view of Lake Superior.
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Beaver River Falls, Beaver Bay, MN
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Find the Beaver River roadside waterfall in Beaver Bay on Highway 61. Stop at the Wayside on Lax Lake Road to park and walk along the bridge and the cascades. You can also find a short trail leading you to the river and falls. This wayside stop has a covered picnic area and restrooms.
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George Crosby Manitou State Park Waterfalls
A local favorite, this rugged, north-country wilderness park features waterfalls that cascade through a volcanic canyon surrounded by glorious forest. The park trails carve through a forest of fir, cedar, spruce, and other northern hardwoods. Hikers should watch out for moose, deer, bears, and wolves.
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About 1.1 billion years ago, volcanoes spewed fiery lava, which cooled and built up in thick layers which form the bedrock along most of the North Shore. Later, when glaciers moved down from the north, they scraped and dislodged the rock. Finally, streams gradually eroded through these sediments between the numerous glacial advances and into the bedrock. Today, the rough, tumbling Manitou River still works to sculpt the gorge.
Wild Waterfalls Flow Through a Wild Park
The Manitou Cascades, multi-tiered falls on the Manitou River, deliver a raging waterfall viewing experience. A medium-difficulty one-mile hike will lead you to these gorgeous wilderness falls.
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Caribou Falls Wayside
Heading north on 61, just north of Little Marais, sits the Caribou Falls Wayside. This hidden North Shore gem can get easily overlooked; however, it ranks as one of the locals’ favorites.
The moderate to easy 1.5-mile hike starts along the Superior Hiking Trail and Caribou River. The trail rolls with mild inclines and declines, giving way to scenic views of the Caribou River and gorge before arriving at a set of wooden stairs leading to the falls. Follow the stairs down to the water, where you will discover beautiful views to photograph the falls.
Continue back up the stairs and hike along the Superior Hiking Trail for views of Crystal Creek or head back towards the parking lot.
For a great guide to this hike, see the Caribou Falls post from North Shore Explorer!
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Northern Lake County: Waterfalls near Ely and within the BWCAW
Kawishiwi Falls
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Within the Superior National Forest near Ely, Minnesota, in Fall Lake Township, the Kawishiwi Falls (pronounced Ki-WISH-i-wee) flows from the dammed Garden Lake into Fall Lake. Parking for this waterfall is located six miles east of Ely on the north side of Fernberg Road. To get to the falls from the parking area, take just short of a one-mile loop trail through the woods.
The Kawishiwi River is also a well-known river to kayak and hikes along the Kawiwishi Trail.
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Newton Falls (Upper Pipestone) & Pipestone Falls
Pipestone Falls, BWCA
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Just north of Fall Lake and Mile Island and South of Newton Lake, adventurous outdoors enthusiasts can find BWCA entry point #24. You can portage about .13 miles around Newton Falls into Newton Lake, heading northwest from the entry point. Paddling the length of Newton Lake is about two miles. At the north end of Newton Lake, there is about a half-mile portage around Pipestone Falls, located on Basswood Lake.
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Wheelbarrow, Basswood & Lower Basswood Falls
On the edge of the US/Canadian Border in the BWCA, northern Basswood Lake features three waterfalls mentioned above. Unfortunately, these falls are only accessible through portaging. To explore the beauty of the BWCA and these waterfalls, we recommend seeking an Ely-area outfitter to guide you.
Basswood Falls, Basswood Lake, BWCAW MN. Photo Credit: Tone Coughlin
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Spring Lodging Specials
Look for great lodging deals in the spring along the shore and inland. Often, there are valuable discounts before the summer season begins. In addition, many lodging establishments offer lake-view rooms and cabins where visitors can watch roaring Lake Superior waves, especially with early spring Nor’easter winds.
Spring makes an excellent time to head north; tourists will enjoy less traffic and crowds before the summer rush. Additionally, the scenic views while winter transitions to spring can be breathtaking.
