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Minnesota

When to catch Rydell Refugeat its best

Rydell Refuge through the year: spring migration (local timing: April and May), wildlife by season (local timing: from June to July) and winter wildlife (2 separate phases, from September and October). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat chance rain showers, 60°F · Sun mostly sunny, 58°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Rydell Refuge

Good in fall

  • Fall migration: thousands of waterfowl on the refuge's wetlands and lakes

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Nearby in fall

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Spring migration

  • Golden Pond TrailA 1.5-mile paved and boardwalk loop (ADA compliant) from the visitor contact station past hardwood forest, restored prairie, a wetland, a willow swale and Swan Lake, with excellent bird watching in spring and fallU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Round Lake TrailOne paved mile through the refuge's largest woods, past a site managed for ruffed grouse and a wetland popular with wood ducks, along Round LakeU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Wildlife by season

  • Church Lake TrailOne paved mile, linked to the Golden Pond Trail, along a large wetland and marsh and through a hardwood forest of ironwood treesU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Tamarac Lake TrailA 2.25-mile gravel loop around Tamarac Lake past tallgrass prairie restorations with native wildflowers from spring to fall, a clearing managed for ruffed grouse and deer, and an accessible fishing pierU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Winter wildlife

  • Rice Lake TrailHalf a paved mile, linked to the Round Lake and Golden Pond trails, beside a wetland that fills with wild rice in late summer and with waterfowl in fall migrationU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Golden Pond TrailA 1.5-mile paved and boardwalk loop from the visitor contact station past forest, prairie, a wetland and Swan Lake; walking and biking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winterU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Rydell Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodaySunny72° / 43°2% rain
  • ThuSunny60° / 37°–
  • FriAreas Of Frost then Sunny60° / 43°19% rain
  • SatChance Rain Showers60° / 38°34% rain
  • SunMostly Sunny58° / 37°1% rain
  • MonMostly Sunny60° / 47°2% rain
  • TueMostly Sunny67° / 48°6% rain

Today: sunrise 7:23 a.m., sunset 7:08 p.m., light until 7:38 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Rydell Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A mottled brown and white ruffed grouse standing in green grass and fallen brown leaves
A ruffed grouse, one of Rydell's year-round residents, among fallen leaves at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Juancarlos Giese/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Is there a fee?

No, it's free to visit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When are the trails open?

Every day from half an hour before sunrise to sunset, except during scheduled deer hunts; the refuge is open dawn to dusk for approved outdoor activities.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is it accessible?

Yes: the Golden Pond Trail is paved, with boardwalk, and ADA compliant, and transportation for people with disabilities can be arranged in advance.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the restrooms?

Inside the refuge headquarters and visitor contact station, and at the comfort station in the headquarters parking lot and at the fishing pier.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rydell NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30