If you’ve spent any time in Minnesota, you know that the Land of 10,000 Lakes is full of wildlife. Every region of the state is home to many species of mammals, birds, and even a few reptiles and amphibians. We’ve got it all, but some species are harder to spot than others. That’s certainly the case for elk, whose numbers in Minnesota have dwindled in the past century. However, they are on the rise, with three wild elk herds roaming northern Minnesota. If you’d like to spot one, head over to the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge for one of the best chances. Not only will you see elk, but there are many other interesting animals here, too. Take a look:

Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge is a huge expanse of Douglas County in northern Minnesota. It covers more than 61,000 acres of water and land.
BluegooseTraveler/Google
Though the refuge was created for wildlife, visitors are still welcome. There are several amenities open to use, including a visitor center that will provide information about the refuge and its inhabitants.
BlueGoose Traveler/TripAdvisor
There are also trails throughout Agassiz. These boardwalks lead visitors into the wetlands, scrublands, forests, and fields that make up this vast wildlife refuge.
Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr
There are even raised lookouts — complete with binoculars — where visitors can rise above the land to spot wildlife.
Faylin Myhre/Google

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Visitors are also welcome to bring their own binoculars, cameras, and other equipment to see wildlife up close.
Andrew Nyhus/Google
And when you learn how many birds live or visit here, it's no wonder. More than 290 species of birds, including many types of waterfowl, make Agassiz ideal for birdwatchers.
W H/Google
The refuge's forests and wetlands are home to other animals, too. Deer are often spotted here. Wolves, though rarer to see, also roam the refuge.
Patti Gallo/Google
But it may be the elk that are most exciting to see. Their numbers have shrunk in Minnesota, but there are a few herds in northwestern Minnesota. At Agassiz, the Grygla herd is sometimes spotted.
Scott LaMonica/Flickr
The Grygla herd is made up of about 17 elks, making it the smallest of the three northwestern Minnesota herds. But if you're patient, a trip to Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge may help you spot one!
Scott Kinmartin/Flickr

Have you been to the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge? What did you think? If you enjoyed this article, you may also be interested in our write-up of Minnesota’s Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

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