Icelandic State Park
Pioneer Heritage Center
Now at the Pioneer Heritage Center—“Fashions of Yesterday” exhibit on display in the temporary exhibit area from February through April.
Icelandic State Park's Pioneer Heritage Center features permanent and temporary displays about the area's rich ethnic settlement. Hours are:
- Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day—Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
- May & September—Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m..
- Off-season (November through April)—Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday closed; Sunday 1-5 p.m.
2008 Special Events
May 26—MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY. Free admission to any state park on Memorial Day, in honor of past and present servicemen and women.
June 7—NATIONAL TRAILS DAY. Guided hikes through the Gunlogson Nature Preserve.
July 25-27—CHRISTMAS IN JULY. Decorate your campsite, it’s Christmas all over again!
August 8-10—KIDS’ WEEKEND. An entire weekend totally devoted to kids with games, entertainment, contests, and lots of excitement.
September 7—PIONEER MACHINERY SHOW. Machinery parade, threshing, tractor pull, kids peddle pull, entertainment, displays, and breakfast. All located at the Pioneer Machinery Site (across the road from the park).
November 23—CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE/VISITOR APPRECIATION DAY. The Pioneer Heritage Center will be decorated with trees, lights and a variety of Christmas displays. This event is our annual Visitor Appreciation Day, vehicle entry fees are waived for this event.
Interpretive Activities
Weekend interpretive activities, including hikes, campfire programs and Dakota Explorers, are held every weekend during the summer. Information is posted on the campground bulletin boards.
June 20-22 – Welcome Summer
Friday, June 20
- 8:30pm – Solstice Hike in the Nature Preserve – Meet at the Heritage Center and go on a Summer Solstice hike and learn a little of the legend and lore of Midsummer.
Saturday, June 21
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts and fun.
- 8:00pm – Who Left That Track? Meet at the amphitheater to find out about animal tracks and traces.
June 27-29 – Exploring Your Parks
Friday, June 27
- 8:30pm – Survival 101 – Meet at the amphitheater to learn some important tips for surviving in the wilderness.
Saturday, June 28
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 8:00pm – Lewis and Clark in North Dakota – Find out about some of the things these intrepid explorers did while in North Dakota. Meet at the amphitheater.
July 4-6 – Happy 4th of July
Friday, July 4
- 8:30 – Feathers, Feet, and Beaks – Meet at the amphitheater to learn about how these bird parts have adapted to the birds’ survival.
Saturday, July 5
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 8:00pm – What’s For Dinner? Meet at the amphitheater and find out what’s on the menu for some of our regional animals.
July 11-13 – The Park is for the Birds
Friday, July 11
- 8:30pm – Birding 101 – Meet at the Heritage Center for a hike into the Nature Preserve for tips on bird watching and identification.
Saturday, July 12
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 8:00pm – Attracting Birds to Your Yard – Meet at the amphitheater to find out some ways to attract birds.
July 18-20 – Wild in the Park
Friday, July 18
- 8:30pm – Moose on the Loose- Learn about these amazing creatures and their lives in North Dakota. Meet at the amphitheater.
Saturday, July 19
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 8:00pm – Nature and Wildlife Photography – Meet at the amphitheater for some tips on taking great nature and wildlife shots with any kind of camera.
July 25-27 – Christmas in July
Friday, July 25
- 10:00pm – Christmas in July – Christmas themed entertainment all weekend!
Saturday, July 26
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter to make decorations.
- 8:00pm – Scavenger Hunt – Meet at the amphitheater.
August 1-3 – Good Old Times in the Park
Friday, August 1
- 8:30pm – Pioneer Skills – Meet at the amphitheater to learn some of the skills the early pioneers used to thrive in a harsh land.
Saturday, August 2
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers- Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 9:30pm – Ox Cart Trails and Pemmican Makers – Meet at the amphitheater to find out about the times when squeaky ox carts rolled across these prairies.
August 8-10 – Kid’s Weekend
Friday, August 8
- 7:00pm – Kid’s Weekend – Meet at the amphitheater to kickoff of our entire weekend of kids activities.
Saturday, August 9
- 2:00 – 4:00pm – Arts and Crafts at the picnic shelter.
- 7:30pm – Magician entertainment at the amphitheater.
August 15-17 – Special Park Places
Friday, August 15
- 8:00 – Tallgrass Plants and Flowers – Meet at the Heritage Center to take a walk through the Nature Preserve and learn how to identify some of our prairie plants and flowers.
Saturday, August 16
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 9:00pm – North Dakota’s Wildlife Refuges- Meet at the amphitheater to see some of North Dakotas special wildlife refuges.
August 22-24 – Late Summer in the Park
Friday, August 22
- 9:00pm –Northern Lights – Meet at the amphitheater to see some of the colorful auroras that dance in our northern skies.
Saturday, August 23
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 9:00pm – Glacial Lake Agassiz – Meet at the amphitheater to find out about the giant lake and the prehistoric creatures that inhabited it.
August 29-31 – Salute to Trees
Friday, August 29
- 7:00pm – Tree-mendous Trees – Meet at the Heritage Center for a hike in the Nature Preserve to identify and learn about trees.
Saturday, August 30
- 2:00pm – Dakota Explorers – Meet at the picnic shelter for crafts.
- 9:00pm – Cottonwoods – Meet at the amphitheater and find out about one of our most special and valuable trees.
