Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
River Walk: Returning Good Fire to WI Point
Ishkode (Ojibwe for fire) is not only an important part of Anishaabe history and culture, but also a valuable land management tool for our northern pine forests. Join the Lake Superior Reserve, the City of Superior, and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) as they introduce a collaborative project to return good fire to Wisconsin Point.
Come to Lot #5 of Wisconsin Point to learn about some of the habitat’s fire-dependent red pines and pyrogenic blueberries, the history of fire on Wisconsin Point, and the benefit of using fire as a tool in Superior, WI. We will walk (~1 mile) to some other sites on Wisconsin Point that will see some of the first good fires in over 100 years.
We’ll gather in light-rain or shine, and will post a notification day-of for a severe weather cancellation. Please meet at Wisconsin Point Lot #5 (restrooms are available). We will be walking, stopping and standing over the course of the walk. Our walk will be about 1 mile long round-trip, will consist of a fairly level dirt path through the forest, some walking along the roadway, and there is a relatively steep ditch near our destination site, where we will be off-trail. There is poison ivy in the area, so long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended.
The River Walks series is hosted by the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Cover photo: cultural prescribed fire implemented in the Cloquet Forestry Center (Cloquet, MN), credit: Lane Johnson
No registration is required and all events are FREE. Come dressed for the weather and prepared to move around outdoors. Please reach out to Melissa Burke at melissa.burke@wisc.edu or call 715-399-4138 if you have questions about participating in this event. You may request an interpreter, materials in an alternative language or format, or other services to make this event more accessible, by contacting Melissa as soon as possible, ideally by August 1, 2025. There’s no added cost to you for these services.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Everyone Can Bird! Graduation to Migration
Join us for a free, bird-focused morning! This event is planned in partnership with the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Minnesota Land Trust, Lake Superior Reserve, City of Superior, Wisconsin Sea Grant, Embark Supported Employment, and indiGO.
Click here for more information and to register. Registration is recommended but not required.
In August, baby birds begin to “graduate” into adulthood as they prepare for migration. Come join us for a celebration of this exciting adventure for the new adult birds!
We welcome people of all ages and ability levels to attend this accessible birding event at Woodstock Bay in Superior. There will be an option to travel to Millennium Trail from Woodstock Bay to look for more birds, but the event itself will be set up at Woodstock Bay.
Activities at Woodstock Bay include: a bird walk along gravel trails, stationery activities with the Everyone Can Bird organizers, explore at your own pace
Activities at Millennium Trail (shuttling from Woodstock Bay) include: a bird walk along paved trails, explore at your own pace
*The bus will drop participants off at Woodstock Bay before shuttling to Millennium Trail. There will be only one opportunity to travel to Millennium Trail during the event.
Come and stay for the whole time or meet up with and leave the group when you need. Light refreshments will be available. There will also be a wheelchair accessible portable bathroom on-site at both Woodstock Bay and Millenium Trail for this event.
American Sign Language interpretation is provided at Woodstock Bay. We have binoculars for people to use, a spotting scope, a wheelchair mount for binoculars, and portable seating. A track chair — an all-terrain, electric-powered chair that can be used on hiking trails — will be available, along with a scooter and walkers, courtesy of indiGO. Free bus transportation is provided from the UW-Superior Parking Lot 2 (behind Burger King). The bus will leave the UW-Superior Parking Lot 2 for Woodstock Bay at 9:20 am.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Free bus transportation is provided from the UW-Superior Parking Lot 2 (behind Burger King) to Woodstock Bay. We encourage you to ride the bus to save the limited on-site parking spots for those who need to drive. Please register here to reserve your spot on the bus.
This event is designed with access in mind, but if you would like to request additional accommodations, please email Luciana.Ranelli@Wisc.Edu or call Luciana at 715-399-4085 at least 10 days before the event.
TRANSPORTATION DETAILS:
Free shuttle bus transportation is provided from the UW-Superior Parking Lot 2 (behind Burger King) to Woodstock Bay. The bus is an ADA accessible bus from Voyageur Bus Company with 4 wheelchair spots and room for 20 adults on bus seats. The ASL interpreters will not be on the bus unless requested – they will be onsite at Woodstock Bay. We encourage you to ride the bus to save the limited on-site parking spots for those who need to drive. Please register here to reserve your spot on the bus.
PICK-UP – The bus will pick up attendees from the UW-Superior Parking Lot 2 behind Burger King at 9:15 am. (Turn onto Catlin Avenue, turn right onto 16th Street, and immediately turn right into the parking lot. You can park near the small white building and be able to access the bus stop right in front of Enterprise.) The bus departs the parking lot at 9:20 am for Woodstock Bay.
DURING - The bus will shuttle attendees between the water's edge habitat at Woodstock Bay and the forested Millennium Trail once during the event.
RETURN – The bus will load at Woodstock Bay and return to the UW-Superior Parking Lot 2 after the event at 11:30 am.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Starry Skies at Woodstock Bay
Join us for an evening of wonder as we learn about the stars with the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, Starry Skies North, DarkSky Wisconsin, and Arrowhead Astronomical Society! Learn about astronomy and the effects of light pollution, and appreciate our beautiful night sky together. Sponsored by the City of Superior, and part of Starry Skies North's Celebrate the Night Sky Week 2025.
In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place on Friday, September 12 at 8:30pm.
Registration is recommended, but not required. Click HERE to register for the event.
Beach Cleanup on Wisconsin Point
The Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, in partnership with the City of Superior, are holding another annual Fall Beach Cleanup at the Point! Wisconsin Point is a wonderful destination for relaxing, refreshing, and enjoying our natural world.
Since the Friends adopted Wisconsin Point from the City of Superior back in 2021, we strive to keep the beach as healthy and pristine as can be! Help us keep to this promise by joining us for our 2025 Fall Beach Cleanup on Saturday, September 20.
Snacks and supplies will be provided. Meet at Lot 1 Wisconsin Point at 9:30 am for instructions and supplies!
Click here to register for the WI Point Beach Cleanup!
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
First Saturday Activity:
Barker’s Island Animals: Come learn about some of the animals we see here at the Estuarium!
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Day
Join us on Barker's Island in Superior to relax, play, and learn in celebration and appreciation of the Greatest Lake.
ENJOY FOR FREE:
*Interactive activities, games, and learning opportunities for kids, adults, and families all focused on learning about and appreciating this Great Lake
*Stand-up paddleboarding (try it out!) from noon-3pm
*Visit the Lake Superior Estuarium
*Prizes donated from local businesses
This event is hosted by the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and planned in collaboration with the following partners: the City of Superior, The Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, North Shore SUP, and the Douglas County 4-H Program. The Lake Superior Reserve encompasses over 16,000 acres along the St. Louis River freshwater estuary. Come enjoy the festivities in appreciation of the lake!Thank you to all the tablers and prize donors!
Lake Superior is the cleanest, coldest, and clearest of the Great Lakes. The largest lake by surface area in the world, it fuels local shipping, commercial fishing, and recreational industries while providing clean drinking water and high quality of life. Every day, each of the 600,000 human residents of the Lake Superior basin interact with water from the lake for drinking, home use, beautiful views, recreation, and more. The lake is essential for countless fish, birds, and plants.
Lake Superior Day was started in the early 1990s to highlight the importance of this great water body to the basin’s environment and economy. Now it is held every 3rd Sunday in July.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
River Walk: Spotted Knapweed Pull
The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve are hosting a volunteer event focused on removing Spotted Knapweed from the Lot #5 section of Wisconsin Point.
Spotted Knapweed is a prolific non-local plant that, when widespread, can prevent native plants from growing and decrease the biodiversity of the habitat. It's particularly effective at outcompeting other plants by exuding a chemical from it's roots that can prevent the growth of other plants. For more information check out the DNR's info page on the plant:
Spotted knapweed | (Centaurea biebersteinii) | Wisconsin DNR
Click here for more information and to register for the Spotted Knapweed Pull
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
First Saturday Activity:
“Bee” A Friend to Pollinators: Come learn about the life of a busy honey bee and their pollinator friends!
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
River Walk: Plant Walk
Get to know some of the plants within the St. Louis River Watershed while exploring Makwa Ziibiins Miikana - Bear Creek Trail.
Visit lakesuperiornerr.org/coastal-training/river-walks/ for more information on the Lake Superior Reserve River Walks series.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
Lake Superior Estuarium OPEN
The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.
First Saturday Activity:
Summer Plants: Explore outside the Estuarium to discover what plants are growing all around us. Grab a field guide and a nature journal at the Estuarium to explore.
Upcoming Events
Scroll through the calendar on the left or down to the list below to see upcoming events, including those hosted by FOLSR, the Lake Superior Reserve, and other community organizations. Click on an event to learn more.