Minnesota Valley Refugewildflowers
Out of season: the next wildflowers season is in 2027.
Right now in Minnesota Valley Refuge · September
- Cooler hikes, fewer biting insects · Sep–Nov
246days to the next wildflowers seasonJun 1–Aug 31, Prairie wildflowers, June through August, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Next 7 days
- Rain likely · up to 83% chanceTuesday, Tuesday Night, Wednesday
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 10:52 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge through the year
- Hikes and migrating songbirds before leaf-outApr–May
- Prairie wildflowersJun–Aug
- Cooler hikes, fewer biting insectsNowSep–Nov
- Snowshoe hikes; trumpeter swans and eaglesDec–Mar
Best spots around Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Rapids Lake Education and Visitor CenterNear Carver: a wide variety of native flowers bloom in the prairie in summer
- Hillside TrailFrom the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center down to the wetlands
- Louisville SwampHike from the Middle Road Trail parking to a glacial erratic; the Mazomani Trail passes wetlands, upland forest and historic sites
- Forest Loop TrailOak and hickory forest at the Rapids Lake unit
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)
Questions people ask
When is peak wildflowers in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in 2027?
Prairie wildflowers, June through August, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Jun 1–Aug 31. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it blooming in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: the wildflowers season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 246 days (Jun 1–Aug 31, Prairie wildflowers, June through August, per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
When are the prairie wildflowers out?
June through August: the refuge suggests making a list of wildflowers and identifying native plants in its prairies then. At Rapids Lake, native flowers bloom across the prairie in summer.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a fee?
No, there's no charge to visit. 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)
Could a trail be closed?
Yes: some areas close during peak bird migration or for maintenance, and trails are prone to seasonal flooding. Check the refuge's trail conditions or the signs at trailheads.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center: near Carver: a wide variety of native flowers bloom in the prairie in summer; Hillside Trail: from the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center down to the wetlands; Louisville Swamp: hike from the Middle Road Trail parking to a glacial erratic; the Mazomani Trail passes wetlands, upland forest and historic sites; Forest Loop Trail: oak and hickory forest at the Rapids Lake unit.
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) and Snowshoe hikes; trumpeter swans and eagles (Dec–Mar).