The Friends of Big Woods State Park invite you to attend any or all of our free annual events and make some memories along the way! Note that a state park daily or current annual permit is required for vehicles entering the park.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Our calendar has more details about these events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Participating in Friends Group projects qualifies as Volunteer Hours for Minnesota Master Naturalists!
Candlelight Walk
Visitors shouldn’t miss this chance to experience the serenity of Nerstrand Big Woods at night by
hiking our luminary-lit trails! Bonfires and snacks will complete this enjoyable family outing.
Department of Natural Resources Work Days
The Friends of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park encourage volunteers to participate with them during scheduled work days to preserve and enhance
areas within the park. Please check the website calendar for specific dates and times.
Wildflower Ambassadors on the Boardwalk – mid-April to mid-May (weather-determined)
Spring is literally a breath of fresh air after a long winter, so embrace it by visiting the park’s
Boardwalk to see what’s blooming! The Wildflower Ambassadors are on the Boardwalk each weekend
to identify blooming wildflowers and share details about the rare, federally-endangered Minnesota
Dwarf Trout Lily that grows in the Minnesota counties of Rice (home of Big Woods State Park), Steele,
and Goodhue and nowhere else in the world! It’s said that the Big Woods Boardwalk offers one of the
best viewing areas in Minnesota for blooming wildflowers, so it’s no wonder it draws many visitors
from around Minnesota and other states.
Art in the Park – mid-July
The park’s picnic shelter is the place where individuals and families can enjoy some leisure
time doing various creative activities led by an artist. Mixing watercolor paints is a favorite of
young visitors, and even better is being able to take their watercolor kits home!
“Monarchs and Milkweeds” Program – mid-August
Minnesota Master Naturalist/Big Woods Friends Board member Katy Gillispie’s presentation
in the
park’s amphitheater features details about Minnesota’s state butterfly and her experiences
raising monarchs from the stages of eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalises that she finds in her
yard. As an extra treat, Katy brings live caterpillars or chrysalises and other items to view and
pass.
Monarch Butterfly Walk – late August
As a followup to her “Monarchs and Milkweeds” program, Friends Board member Katy
Gillispie and other Friends members share the history of the Big Woods restored prairie
before leading a hike to look for monarchs. Butterflies can be numerous when nectaring on
Blazing Star and Joe Pye Weed wildflowers (their favorites) prior to their long migration to
Mexico. A bonus in 2023 was the netting of monarchs by visitors and tagging them for
research by Big Woods Naturalist Andy Wendt!
Friends of Big Woods Annual Meeting and Program – mid-September
Featured will be presentations by a guest speaker, park staff, and the Friends group to review
the year’s highlights and share future plans.