Events
Stay Updated
Loons & Lakes Trivia
May 1 | 6:00-8:00pm
Dockside Lounge
The looniest night of trivia hosted by NLC and WAPOA returns to Dockside Lounge at Breezy Point Resort! Grab a drink and test your loony knowledge. Teams that bring in old lead tackle receive bonus points!
Arbor Day Celebration
May 3 | 11:00am-2:00pm
Northland Arboretum in Baxter, MN
Come see our booth at the free Arbor Day Celebration at the Northland Arb! Enjoy fun family activities and explore new ways to appreciate nature.
Healthy Land, Healthy Lakes Expo
May 3 | 9:00am-12:30pm
Wahkon, MN
This free event by Mille Lacs Watershed Group includes a lively variety of speakers, tabletop presentations, and activities that will inspire you to connect with nature and take steps to preserve and enhance our area’s lands and waters.
Visit NLC staff at our table!
Loons & Lakes Trivia Night
May 8 | 6:00-8:00pm
14 Lakes Brewery
The looniest night of trivia hosted by NLC & WAPOA returns to Crosslake! Grab a drink and test your loony knowledge. Teams that bring in old lead tackle receive bonus points!
Loons & Lakes Trivia Night
June 19 | 6:00-8:00pm
14 Lakes Brewery
Kick off the Loons & Lakes Festival weekend with the looniest night of trivia hosted by the NLC and WAPOA! Grab a drink and test your loony knowledge. Teams that bring in old lead tackle receive bonus points!
Minnesota Loons & Lakes Festival 2025
June 20-21
Crosslake
Mark your calendars!
Join the National Loon Center in celebrating Minnesota's treasured loons and lakes with a weekend of fun events at the second annual Minnesota Loons & Lakes Festival in Crosslake! Stay tuned for more information and a detailed schedule.
The National Loon Center's Progress
2023
The National Loon Center announces an enhancement to the original site plan that placed the building on federal lands managed by the USACE. While maintaining programming and amenities at the Cross Lake Recreation Area, the NLC acquired nearby private lands to build the world-class facility and develop a sustainable natural campus with parking on-site. The nearby site spans nearly 10 acres between CSAH 3 Swann Drive and CSAH business trip. The Minnesota legislature allocates $2.5 million to the City of Crosslake to support the Center's construction as part of the bonding bill.
2022
In collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Loon Center, completed a shoreline restoration project near the boat landing at the Cross Lake Recreation Area. A floating dock system was also installed at the bay to prevent further erosion of the shoreline, with dedicated mooring stations for visitors of the campground and public use. An outdoor exhibit on loon calls was installed near the recreation area entrance.
2021
Archeological reviews and site planning at the Crosslake Recreation Area were completed and outdoor site enhancement began. In June of 2021, the NLC opened a temporary information center, called The Nest, in Crosslake Town Square, engaging around 4,000 visitors in its first year.
2019
Minnesota lawmakers approved $4 million to build National Loon Center in Crosslake. National Loon Center finalized a 25 year land lease with US Army Corps of Engineers at the future site location of the facility: the Cross Lake Recreation Area.
2018
The National Loon Center Community Input and Master Plan are developed by the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Building Research. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA), Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, Department of Applied Economics and the National Loon Center Foundation produce a Market Feasibility Study and Impact Assessment
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