Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge stretches upstream along the Minnesota River from Fort Snelling State Park, near its mouth in the Twin Cities, almost 70 miles to Henderson. The refuge is comprised of 14,000 acres and contains more than 50 miles of trails you can use to explore this urban oasis. No matter which section of this nature sanctuary you visit, if you love the Minnesota outdoors like I do, you’ll find the refuge to be an awesome day trip destination.

If you're not familiar with Minnesota Valley NWR, a great place to start is at its headquarters in Bloomington.
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The gateway to this incredible nature area is improbably located between Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
Although you're in the heart of an urban area, you wouldn't know it looking out across the valley from the headquarters' back patio.
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At the HQ, you'll find information about the refuge, interpretive exhibits, helpful rangers to offer suggestions, and even a gift shop. The refuge also hosts a full calendar of events and activities throughout the year.
Trails lead directly from the visitor center into the refuge.
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After you've had a chance to explore the center, lace up your boots, and hit the trail.
In this section of the refuge, you'll find some short paved trails, mixed-use dirt trails, and even boardwalks.
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This is a wildlife refuge, so expect to see some wildlife.
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There are plenty of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that make the refuge their home, like wild turkeys.

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Barred, great horned, and eastern screech owls also live in the refuge throughout the year.
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You'll only see the refuge's reptiles and amphibians in warmer weather.
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But white-tailed deer, raccoons, and other mammals can be found in the NWR all year long.
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Another popular spot in the Minnesota Valley NWR is the trailhead near the old Cedar Avenue Bridge in Bloomington.
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Here, you can cross the river and access trails on the south bank.
This is also a great spot to for finding migratory species that arrive in spring and head south in the fall.
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Trumpeter swans are frequent visitors.
Ospreys are one of the migratory raptor species you may in the refuge.
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Whether you’re a hiker, cyclist, birder, or simply a nature lover, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is an ideal destination for a day trip in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I’m a frequent visitor, myself, and always find something interesting to see when I’m out exploring. When I’m hiking in the refuge, I use AllTrails Plus not only for navigation but also to keep track of all the data for my hike, including distance, calories, steps, and even elevation gain. I like to add photos, as well, so I can remember just where I saw an interesting tree or animal.

Have you visited Minnesota Valley NWR? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share some of your favorite day trip destinations in Minnesota!

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Featured Addresses
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge—Bloomington Education and Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA