Voyageurs National Park Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 2025

Minnesota's National Park Marks Half-Century of Parkhood on April 8

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn., March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Voyageurs Conservancy, in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS), is celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park. Established on April 8, 1975, Voyageurs spans more than 218,000 acres of lakes, forests and streams in northern Minnesota. The primarily water-based and certified Dark Sky Park is one of the state's top natural wonders and home to some of the darkest skies in the U.S.

Voyageurs Conservancy, the official charitable partner of the park, and the NPS will commemorate the Minnesota milestone with special events, contests, philanthropy, community partnerships and storytelling throughout 2025. Join in the celebration and get inspired by watching this Voyageurs video to honor five decades of adventure, connection and conservation. 

Celebrate and Connect with Voyageurs in 2025  

• Governor Walz to proclaim April 8 "Voyageurs National Park Day" in Minnesota
• NPS Archives Tour, Voyageurs National Park Headquarters and virtual webinar, April 8
• National Park Week, April 19-27
• Voyageurs Twin Cities 50th Birthday Party, Uteplis Brewing, May 29
• Limited Edition Park Merchandise and Prints Available, Spring 2025
• Voyageurs 50th Anniversary Photo Contest and Summer Sweepstakes, Summer 2025
• Voyageurs Scavenger Hunt, Summer 2025
• All-New Crane Lake Visitor Center Opening, Summer 2025
• Voyageurs at the Minnesota State Fair, August 2025
• Park Artist-In-Residence Symphony Debut, Fall 2025

Visit voyageurs.org/50th for 2025 event and programming updates. Members of the media can also refer to Voyageurs.org/50thMediaFactSheet for additional details.

Cheers to Minnesota's Dark Sky Park: Astro-Tourism Events
Celebrate Minnesota's International Certified Dark Sky Park and the importance of preserving its dark skies through land and water-based activities.

• Park-After-Dark Programs, Summer 2025 – The park and the Conservancy will host regular telescope sessions and night sky tours in Voyageurs and surrounding communities.
• Download the New Voyageurs Dark Sky Visitor Guide – This free guide offers night sky viewing tips and stellar stargazing spots in Voyageurs.
• Voyageurs Star Party, August 29 and 30 – This astronomy event will feature expert speakers and volunteer astronomers, guided night sky tours, telescope sessions and more under the Milky Way. Details will be available soon at voyageurs.org/starparty.

Cheers to the Future: Nurturing the Next Generation
Through the Voyageurs Classroom initiative, Voyageurs Conservancy, the NPS, and partners offer education programming to bring the park to classrooms across the state and nation.

• Voyageurs Mobile Classroom – The mobile unit brings environmental education to Minnesota schools, allowing students to explore the wonders of Voyageurs and more.
• Voyageurs Live Streams – Virtual learning opportunities bring Voyageurs National Park to 40,000+ students nationwide.
• Professional Development for Educators – The park and the Conservancy offer retreats, workshops, and resources to help educators bring Minnesota's National Park into their classrooms.
• Field Fellowships – Sponsored by Voyageurs Conservancy, this stipend-paid program allows young conservation leaders to work closely with park staff to conduct fieldwork and research, develop education programs, and apply their expertise to preserve public lands.

"This year, we celebrate and toast to 50 years of Voyageurs National Park. Now, more than ever, it's important to honor the Indigenous Peoples who stewarded these lands before us, express gratitude for national park visionaries, and advocate for the essential and dedicated park staff who help maintain this land," said Christina Hausman Rhode, executive director, Voyageurs Conservancy. "The milestone is an opportunity to connect new audiences to Minnesota's national park, allowing us to safeguard Voyageurs' legacy for another 50 years thanks to the commitment and generosity of many park supporters," added Hausman Rhode.

50th anniversary events are open to the public, though some may require advance registration. For the latest updates and media story opportunities, visit voyageurs.org/50th and voyageurs.org/mediaroom.

Raise a canteen to 50 years of Voyageurs! Throughout the year, we invite passionate park travelers and supporters to raise a toast to the park's legacy by sharing stories, memories, and appreciation for Voyageurs on social media using #Voyageurs50. Follow @VoyageursConservancy on Instagram and Facebook. 

"Anniversaries are a special time to reflect on the past and envision the future. During Voyageurs' golden anniversary in 2025, we'll celebrate the breathtaking beauty of the park's lakes and forests, its enduring spirit of adventure and connection to nature that inspire park visitors," said Voyageurs National Park Superintendent, Bob DeGross.

"The story of the park goes beyond landscapes to the people of the land – from Tribal Nations connected to the area for millennia, early settlers seeking wealth and resources, to those who sold long held family land throughout the park to protect this area for future generations. Voyageurs' waterways carry many stories through the times; may the next 50 years continue to preserve the tranquility and wonder of this cherished park," added DeGross.

About Voyageurs Conservancy
Voyageurs Conservancy, the official charitable partner of Voyageurs National Park, is a community of people dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the unique experience of Minnesota's only national park. The Conservancy works directly with the National Park Service to support conservation and recreation projects, advance education and outreach, and protect the wild nature of the park.

About Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000+ acres of natural beauty in northern Minnesota, offering a year-round adventure wonderland of ancient exposed rock ridges, cliffs, wetlands, forests, streams, and dozens of lakes. Established in 1975, the primarily water-based park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these border waters. Whether exploring by land, water, or ice, there's something for everyone.

SOURCE Voyageurs Conservancy