Minnesota Valley Refugespring migration
April to May is a special time to see migrating songbirds just before the leaves pop out, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Right now at Minnesota Valley Refuge
Right now in Minnesota Valley Refuge · September
- Cooler hikes, fewer biting insects · Sep–Nov
- Restroom with running water at the Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead, May to October 15 · May–Oct
Next 7 days at Minnesota Valley Refuge
- TodayAreas Of Fog then Partly Sunny78° / 59°1% rain
- ThuMostly Cloudy66° / 48°1% rain
- FriSunny65° / 48°1% rain
- SatMostly Sunny66° / 49°13% rain
- SunSunny64° / 44°7% rain
- MonSunny63° / 49°1% rain
Today: sunrise 7:10 a.m., sunset 6:57 p.m., light until 7:26 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Bloomington Education and Visitor CenterWatch the bird feeders, catch a sunset from the overlook and take the Hillside Trail down to the wetlands; open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a quarter mile from the Metro Transit Blue Line's American Blvd Station
- Rapids Lake TrailScenic bottomland forest along the Minnesota River valley at the Rapids Lake Unit in Carver; when the water is low you can see the river rapids
Nearby
- Sherburne Refuge51 miMaySatChance Rain Showers
- Litchfield Wetland District66 mispring (March-May)
- Upper Mississippi River Refuge96 miApril and May
- Trempealeau Refuge100 milate April or early MaySatMostly Sunny
- Rice Lake Refuge118 miMay
- Necedah Refuge160 miMaySatMostly Sunny
The year at Minnesota Valley Refuge
- Hikes and migrating songbirds before leaf-outApr–May
- Spring migration: April - MayApr–May
- Restroom with running water at the Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead, May to October 15NowMay–Oct
- Prairie wildflowersJun–Aug
- Cooler hikes, fewer biting insectsNowSep–Nov
- Snowshoe hikes; trumpeter swans and eaglesDec–Mar
Minnesota Valley Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see spring migration at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
April to May is a special time to see migrating songbirds just before the leaves pop out, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: April - May. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is spring migration under way at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual spring migration window for this year has passed. Next time: April - May, local timing.
Can I borrow binoculars?
Yes. Binoculars, snowshoes and explorer backpacks are lent free at both visitor centers during open hours.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What time of day is best for birds?
Morning, or evening before dusk. Trailhead parking is limited and gets very busy on weekends.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I get there without a car?
Yes, to the Bloomington visitor center: take the Metro Transit Blue Line to American Blvd Station, cross 34th Avenue and walk about a quarter mile east along American Blvd East to the entrance.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What flowers bloom in spring?
Spring ephemerals in the woods and on stream banks, such as bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, jack-in-the-pulpit and nodding trillium, and the rare, state-threatened kittentails in the oak savanna.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
Bloomington Education and Visitor Center: watch the bird feeders, catch a sunset from the overlook and take the Hillside Trail down to the wetlands; open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a quarter mile from the Metro Transit Blue Line's American Blvd Station; Rapids Lake Trail: scenic bottomland forest along the Minnesota River valley at the Rapids Lake Unit in Carver; when the water is low you can see the river rapids.
What is Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Hikes and migrating songbirds before leaf-out (Apr–May), Prairie wildflowers (Jun–Aug), Cooler hikes, fewer biting insects (Sep–Nov), Snowshoe hikes; trumpeter swans and eagles (Dec–Mar) and Restroom with running water at the Old Cedar Avenue Trailhead, May to October 15 (May–Oct).