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Parks weekend includes walk, stargazing, fly fishing, birding, paddling

Dakota County Parks has a program digging in the identifying and handling of wild edibles.

August 24, 2017 at 5:29PM

Geology walk

Whitewater State Park

6-7 p.m. Friday

Travel through time to learn about the geologic processes that formed the beautiful Whitewater River Valley, and the influence of oceans, glaciers and raging rivers. Meet at the Chimney Rock trailhead near the beach. (1-507-312-2300, mndnr.gov)

Stories in the stars

Gooseberry Falls State Park

8-9 p.m. Friday

The Ojibwe Indians used the stars as a way to remember the oral history of their people and to mark the seasons. The program starts at Lady Slipper Lodge, then moves to the picnic flow to view the Ojibwe constellations. Bug spray and flashlight recommended. (1-218-595-7100, mndnr.gov)

Fly-fishing clinic

Afton State Park

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Learn about fish and what they eat, and try your hand at tying flies. Then, learn about rods and other equipment before taking practice casts. If conditions permit, there will be fishing on the St. Croix River. Registration required; call 651-231-6968. (mndnr.gov)

Hiking festival

Itasca State Park

10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday

Make an effort to hike every trail in the park during North Country Hiking Fest. Pick one or hike several throughout the day, with a guide or without. Gather for a picnic meal (for a fee) and an evening presentation. (1-218-699-7251, mndnr.gov).

Beginning birding

Fort Snelling State Park

10-11 a.m. Saturday

Join the naturalist for a birding hike and learn about the basic techniques of bird identification. Binoculars provided. Call 612-725-2724 to register. (mndnr.gov).

River paddle

Mississippi River

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

Join a Wilderness Inquiry for an introductory paddle day trip, leaving from the East River Flats. Cost is $45 for adults, $30 for children. (612-676-9400, wildernessinquiry.org)

Under the canopy

Fort Snelling State Park

1-2 p.m. Sunday

Hike with a naturalist under the green forest canopy. Learn how to identify the many species of trees native to the area—as well as some of those that don't belong—and discover what makes these trees uniquely adapted to living in a floodplain forest. (612-725-2724, mndnr.gov).

Understanding edibles

Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Camp Sacajawea Retreat Center

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

A workshop that includes classroom learning, working with specimens, a foray in the forest, and cooking and sampling a variety of edibles. Ages 16 and older. (co.dakota.mn.us/parks, 651-437-3191)