Events
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Loons & Lakes Trivia
May 6 | 6:00-8:00pm
The North Star in Breezy Point
Join us at the North Star on the first Wednesday of every month to test your knowledge and win loony prizes! Bring in your old lead fishing tackle for extra points!
Loons & Lakes Trivia
May 21 | 6:00-8:00pm
UpNorth Social in Crosslake
Join us for trivia night to kick off Memorial Day weekend! Test your knowledge and win loony prizes while enjoying build-your-own charcuterie and other tasty treats! Bring in your old lead fishing tackle for extra points.
Brainerd Youth Expo
June 6 | 11:00-3:30pm
Crow Wing County Fairgrounds
Bring the whole family to enjoy free outdoor activities to help youth in your life find their passion! The NLC will be one of many outdoor focused organizations at the 3rd annual Brainerd Youth Expo. Stop by our booth to learn all about loons!
Loons & Lakes Trivia
June 18 | 6:00-8:00pm
UpNorth Social in Crosslake
Join us us for a Father's Day celebration! Test your knowledge and win loony prizes while enjoying build-your-own charcuterie and other tasty treats! Bring in your old lead fishing tackle for extra points.
2026 Loons & Lakes Festival
June 26-27
Crosslake, MN
Save the date for the third annual Loons & Lakes Festival hosted by the National Loon Center! Stay tuned for more details about the loony events taking place in June 2026.
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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