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Minnesota

When to catch Sherburne Refugeat its best

Sherburne Refuge through the year: wildflowers (local timing: April to June), fall foliage (usually: October) and winter wildlife (3 separate phases, from September and October are the best months for fall migratory birds). 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, 61°F · Sun sunny, 60°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Sherburne Refuge

Where to go at Sherburne Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Fall
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildflowers

  • Prairie’s Edge Wildlife DriveSeven miles through oak savanna, prairie and wetland, open to cars April 1 to November 30; for wild lupine at peak bloom in early to mid-June, walk the Prairie Trail at mile 1.5U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Mahnomen TrailThree miles in three loops through prairie, oak savanna and wetland, with a parking lot and restroom at the trailhead off County Road 9, 0.2 miles east of refuge headquarters; open all yearU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Fall foliage

  • Prairie’s Edge Wildlife DriveSeven miles through oak savanna, prairie and wetland to bike or drive; open to cars April 1 to November 30 as weather allows, except during the November firearm deer seasonU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Blue Hill TrailAbout five miles in three loops through prairie, oak savanna and conifers; a steep, strenuous climb leads to the Blue Hill Overlook, the highest point in Sherburne County. Trailhead off County Road 9, 1.2 miles west of refuge headquarters (no bikes)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Winter wildlife

  • Prairie’s Edge Wildlife DriveSeven miles through oak savanna, prairie and wetland to bike or drive; open to cars April 1 to November 30 as weather allows (not during the November firearm deer season), and to hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing every dayU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Blue Hill TrailAbout five miles in three loops through prairie, oak savanna and conifers, up to the overlook on Blue Hill, the highest point in Sherburne County; open all year for walking and, in winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (no bikes). Trailhead off County Road 9, 1.2 miles west of refuge headquartersU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Sherburne Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayAreas Of Fog then Partly Sunny76° / 55°2% rain
  • ThuPartly Sunny65° / 41°1% rain
  • FriSunny62° / 44°2% rain
  • SatChance Rain Showers61° / 45°38% rain
  • SunSunny60° / 37°4% rain
  • MonSunny59° / 47°2% rain
  • TueMostly Sunny64° / 51°8% rain

Today: sunrise 7:12 a.m., sunset 6:59 p.m., light until 7:28 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Visitor reports, not verified

Been here in the last week? Tell us how the trees looked.

What color were the trees?

Tap the one that looks most like what you saw.

One report per place for each day you saw it, no name or email · How reports work · Terms · Privacy

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Sherburne Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A white trumpeter swan with wings spread, landing over pale dried grass
A trumpeter swan coming in to land at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Jim Dostal/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Does it cost anything to visit?

No, there is no charge to visit the refuge.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sherburne NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I wander anywhere in spring?

No. From March 1 to August 31 most of the refuge is a wildlife sanctuary: only the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive, the hiking trails, the designated canoe route and the fishing access points are open. Service roads and off-trail hiking open from September 1 to February 28.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sherburne NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When can I drive the Wildlife Drive?

Cars can use it from April 1 to November 30, as weather and road conditions allow, except during the November firearm deer season; it's closed to vehicles December 1 to March 31. Walkers and cyclists can use it every day, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sherburne NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What are the refuge's hours?

Refuge lands open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. There is no nighttime access, including for stargazing or northern lights.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sherburne NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 28