Luminary Hike
The RECREATION ALLIANCE OF WINONA (RAW) partners with the local organization to host a free Luminary Hike. Families are invited to enjoy winter and support RAW in it’s efforts to advocate for, build, and maintain outdoor recreation assets in and around the Winona area. The Winona Ice Park, Sugar Loaf Trail, Sugar Load Climbing Area, Levee Climbing Boulders, Bluff Traverse Trail, and more are projects that RAW has been integral in establishing. This year the Winona Ice Park will be lit up with stunning colors for Luminary Hikers to view from the Luminary lit lake trail, as well as food trucks, cookies and hot chocolate at the Winona YMCA. Please Join us!
A homegrown, family friendly music festival that happens the last weekend in September and features musical acts that perform in the genres of Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, Country, Old-time, and everything in between! Celebrating roots music, come hear over 40 bands all weekend long. Camping, canoes, and Kids 16 and under are included with a ticket. Get tickets and make camping arrangements early because this one sells out!
Click HERE to learn more.
Bluffs to Backwater (B2B) Recreation Festival is a celebration of the outdoors, community, and connection. August 21st-23nd the folks with B2B are putting together an outdoor recreation festival right on the banks of the Mississippi River with games, races, education and arts within the City of Winona’s Prairie Island Campground. Live music, film, community paddles, competitive races and more. Think, summer camp atmosphere with opportunities to explore the incredible Driftless Region around Winona, MN.
This festival is designed to engage people, in their bodies, hearts AND minds.
Storm the Day Race
STORM THE TRAIL race series hosts an inclusive race event at Prairie Island Campground every fall in early October . This event is made for EVERYONE!!! The goal is to complete as many loops from sun-up until sun-down, at your own pace. The course is a 2.5 mile loop that is 50% gravel and pavement and 50% trail. You can do one-loop or 50 loops….it is all up to YOU!! The clock begins at sunrise and you will have until sunset to complete the looped course as many times as you can. Tired after the 3rd loop….take a rest! Want to stop and eat lunch after your 10th loop…..go for it!! It is all up to you!!
The Storm the Trail organization aims to promote health and wellness while raising awareness for youth mental health through inclusive events for all ages. Their goal is to raise funds for programs and scholarships dedicated to providing essential services in youth mental healthcare.
observing spring & fall Bird migration
Located in the heart of the Mississippi Valley Flyway, Winona is a natural destination for birds and bird watchers. Both the city and the region host a great variety of birds who nest here, are year-round residents or pass through the area during migration. Over 280 species of birds have been identified in the bluffs, valleys and backwaters of the Winona area