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| First on a Great River Bluffs State Park Trail after a snowfall |
There are fewer Driftless educational opportunities during busy holiday times. But I hope you still take time to get out on the trails as we enter our cold winter times. Get your snowshoes or microspikes/ice cleats on, bundle up, look for sunny days or tree or bluffside protected trails, and head out and enjoy our beautiful frost-tipped bluffs and wetlands!
Need some suggestions for winter hiking destinations? Click on this link to check out some of my favorite trails for hiking and snowshoeing this year.
And don't forget to plan your "first day hike" on New Year's Day! Many hiking groups and state parks around the Driftless will be doing guided hikes/snowshoeing on that day. You can find nearby state park hikes scheduled at this website including Minnesota, Wisconsin (just type 01/01/2026 in both date prompts on WI's events page) and Iowa. (currently no events are listed although Yellow River State Forest often offers a first day hike). Be sure to keep checking the state DNR websites as more first day hike locations events are added through December.
For more information on the activities below, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike.
I will be updating this post throughout the month as new events are announced - usually an additional 5-8 as the month goes on - so feel free to stop back for updated info.
Late November Events
- Friday, November 28 all day
Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. Now in its 11th year, eith a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, rentals, or special tours. The goal is to encourage families and friends to spend time together in nature. Research shows many health and wellness benefits to spending time in nature. According to ParkRx, contact with nature improves one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. Getting outdoors makes exercise more fun and can boost mood and immunity. The American Psychological Association shares that exposure to nature is linked to benefits including improved attention, lower stress, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even increases in empathy and cooperation. Sponsor: MN DNR
- Friday, November 28 10:00 am -Noon
- Frontenac (MN) State Park
Gratitude/forest bathing walk with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger. Meet at the park’s main picnic shelter. Forest bathing, a guided therapeutic practice that originated in Japan, involves quiet contemplation and observation in a natural setting. For those who haven’t experienced Sara’s sessions, we highly recommend them. Sponsor: Frontenac State Park Association and Project Get Outdoors.
Gratitude/forest bathing walk with interpretive naturalist Sara Holger. Meet at the park’s main picnic shelter. Forest bathing, a guided therapeutic practice that originated in Japan, involves quiet contemplation and observation in a natural setting. For those who haven’t experienced Sara’s sessions, we highly recommend them. Sponsor: Frontenac State Park Association and Project Get Outdoors.
December Events
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| Photos by Catherine McKenzie, Sarah Barron and Eric Preston |
- Thursday, December 4 1-4:00pm
- Iowisota Retreat and Education Center, 2472 IA Hwy-26, Lansing Iowa
Gather by the fireside at Iowisota to work on your individual projects during an open crafting session Projects may include sewing, fiber work, scrapbooking, or any other portable handiwork. Bring your own supplies, unless you've made other arrangements with Linda. We have good lighting, comfortable seating by the fire and solid worktables. Enjoy some social time and a hot drink as you work on your project. Freewill donation accepted; I'll have a jar on the table by the door if you feel like you want to contribute something. Register here by selecting the date you'd like to attend. We will have a maximum of 10 people working on stuff at one time. If you want to just stop by for part of the time, that is fine. If you want to just stop in and see Iowisota, it is a good opportunity for that too! Why am I doing this? Because I feel so blessed to have a great workspace available, and I want to share it. I live in the downstairs portion of the house, but I personally love working on projects or reading in the upstairs "gathering room" on a winter day. The windows looking out over the backwaters and into the woods are inspiring, and the fireplace is heartwarming. Together, we can make it through another Iowa winter! If you have questions, give Linda Haugen a call at 563-538-6510 or email at Iowisota@gmail.com. Sponsor: Iowisota Retreat and Education Center. - Thursday, December 4 6-7:00 pm
Our public lands display so much in the daylight, but can showcase just as much beauty under the veil of a starry night sky. Photographer and author Jeff Pfaller devoted countless miles and hours to capture the splendor of many different settings, including some of Wisconsin’s own parks after dark. Join us for a special webinar with Jeff as he discusses his latest book “Dark Skies: Rare Phenomena in America’s Public Lands” and the journey behind capturing miracles of nature like the northern lights, eclipses, rainbows caused by moonlight, and more. Sign up at the following link: https://doodle.com/.../38d0c619-c8bb-478e-9587.../select In addition, 20% of the profits from sales of Jeff’s book will be donated to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. For information about Jeff Pfaller, head over to his website: https://jeffpfaller.com Sponsor: Friends of Wisconsin State Parks - Saturday, December 6 9:30 -11:30 a.m
- Frontenac State Park - ranger station parking lot.
What birds can you see in December? We will take a short prairie loop to look for year-round residents such as Pileated Woodpeckers, identify some over-wintering sparrows, such as White-throated Sparrows and Eastern Bluebirds, and perhaps see some late-migrating waterfowl overhead. Sometimes it's mostly just beauty. Questions? Email janetmalotky@gmail.com. Sponsor: Frontenac State Park Association
Sunday, December 6 - Registration opens for January 3 Owl Prowl
- International Owl Center, Houston MN
We start with a 30-minute program indoors to teach you how to identify owls by sound and the ethics of calling owls. Then you hop in your vehicle and follow the Owlmobile to about three different locations in rural Houston where Jo, our resident expert owl caller, will imitate owl calls in hopes of getting some responses. The program is capped at 30 participants, and these always sell out in advance. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Due to the need to stand perfectly still for 10 minutes or more at a time, these owl prowls are not recommended for children under age 12. No pets, smoking or vaping allowed either indoors or outdoors . Sponsor: International Owl Center
- Monday, December 8 6:30-8:00pm
- Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, W2658 State Road 33, La Crosse WI
All are invited to join us for a peaceful mile-long hike filled with Advent-themed reflections and candle luminaries. All ages are welcome and winter attire is encouraged. Snacks and refreshments will be provided! Hike difficulty: moderate (with some inclines). All participants are welcome to hike at their own pace. No pets, please. A volunteer will be stationed near the entrance to direct you to the parking lot. Sponsor: Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration - Tuesday, December 9 10:30-11:15am
- Robey Memorial (Waukon IA) Library, 401 1st St NW
Naturalist Erin Cubbon from Allamakee County Conservation will be here one Thursday a month for seasonal and interactive environmental education program. No registration required, all children under 10 with a caregiver please. Sponsor: Robey Memorial (Waukon IA) Library/Allamakee County Conservation Board
- Tuesday, December 9 3:30-4:15pm
- Meehan Memorial (Lansing IA) Library, 515 Main St.
Naturalist Erin Cubbon from Allamakee County Conservation will be here one Tuesday a month for seasonal and interactive environmental education program. No registration required, all children under 10 with a caregiver please. Sponsor: Meehan Memorial (Lansing IA) Library//Allamakee County Conservation Board
- Wednesday, December 10 5:30 - 7:30 pm
- Kickapoo Valley Reserve, S3661 State Rd 131, La Farge WI
- Thursday, December 11 3:30-4:15pm
- New Albin Public Library (IA) Library, 176 Elm St
Naturalist Erin Cubbon from Allamakee County Conservation will be here one Thursday a month for seasonal and interactive environmental education program. No registration required, all children under 10 with a caregiver please. Sponsor: New Albin (IA) Library/Allamakee County Conservation Board
- Saturday, December 13 9:00am
- Haas Property, Easter Road, La Crosse WI
Over the course of this 6 month series, hikers will go through the entire La Crosse Blufflands, starting on the south side and moving north. The Juniper property trail is moderate to easy with some uphills. The plan is to hike out and back for approximately 2.5 miles total. Meet at the Crown Blvd trailhead. Note: there is no parking lot. Side of the road parking is narrow. Check out the group's Facebook page events for additional hikes coming up. Sponsor: Blufflands Hiking Group - Thursday, December 18 1-4:00pm
- Iowisota Retreat and Education Center, 2472 IA Hwy-26, Lansing Iowa
Gather by the fireside at Iowisota to work on your individual projects during an open crafting session Projects may include sewing, fiber work, scrapbooking, or any other portable handiwork. Bring your own supplies, unless you've made other arrangements with Linda. We have good lighting, comfortable seating by the fire and solid worktables. Enjoy some social time and a hot drink as you work on your project. Freewill donation accepted; I'll have a jar on the table by the door if you feel like you want to contribute something. Register here by selecting the date you'd like to attend. We will have a maximum of 10 people working on stuff at one time. If you want to just stop by for part of the time, that is fine. If you want to just stop in and see Iowisota, it is a good opportunity for that too! Why am I doing this? Because I feel so blessed to have a great workspace available, and I want to share it. I live in the downstairs portion of the house, but I personally love working on projects or reading in the upstairs "gathering room" on a winter day. The windows looking out over the backwaters and into the woods are inspiring, and the fireplace is heartwarming. Together, we can make it through another Iowa winter! If you have questions, give Linda Haugen a call at 563-538-6510 or email at Iowisota@gmail.com. Sponsor:Iowisota Retreat and Education Center. - Tuesday, December 23 10:30-11:15am
- Robey Memorial (Waukon IA) Library, 401 1st St NW
Naturalist Erin Cubbon from Allamakee County Conservation will be here one Thursday a month for seasonal and interactive environmental education program. No registration required, all children under 10 with a caregiver please. Sponsor: Robey Memorial (Waukon IA) Library/Allamakee County Conservation Board
Do you know of other December hiking/learning events I should include? Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my web version of the blog.
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