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Hiking Festival

Itasca State Park

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

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of this event by hiking the entire 10.6-mile segment of the North Country Scenic Trail in the park. A second option: A 2-mile loop to Preacher's Grove at 3:15 p.m. Complete schedule online. (1-218-699-7251, mndnr.gov)

Tag a monarch

Whitewater State Park

2-3 p.m. Saturday

Go on a short hike to catch, tag and release monarch butterflies. You will be part of ongoing research to study the migration of these incredible insects. If you have a butterfly net of your own, bring it. (1-507-932-3007, mndnr.gov)

Summer sampler

Flandrau State Park

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday

Come out to Flandrau State Park in New Ulm, Minn., for a variety of activities related to the Cottonwood River. Stations near the river will highlight what lives in the water and how the water quality has changed. Learn about fish, mussels, invasive species and more. This event is co-sponsored by the New Ulm River Ranger program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people to experience the river. (1-507-384-8890, mndnr.gov)

Pokémon Go

11 a.m.-noon Saturday at Sibley State Park, 2-3 p.m. Saturday at Monson State Park

Join a naturalist on the trails as we go on a safari to catch some new friends while learning about the habitat they occupy here in the park. Get your steps in to hatch your eggs and log your progress toward the Minnesota State Parks and Trails "125 Miles by Bike, Boot or Boat" challenge. Meet outside the interpretive center a half-hour before and after the program for the benefits of a lure at our interpretive center. Have the Pokémon Go app preinstalled. (1-320-354-2055, mndnr.gov)

Jay Cooke gathering

Jay Cooke State Park

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

Park staff and members of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will share food and culture with park visitors at a special event celebrating the 125th anniversary of Minnesota's state parks and trails. Activities will include archery (equipment provided, no experience necessary), an Ojibwe-language puppet show, guided nature walks and other activities. Complete schedule available online. Meet at the River Inn interpretive center. (1-218-384-4610, ext. 227, mndnr.gov)