Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Phone: 952-854-5900 |
 Photo Credit - Jim Williams |
Prairie restoration in old upland farm fields, oak savanna, goat prairies clinging to steep bluffs, bottomland forests, and Minnesota's largest private wetland restoration (completed in 1992) make up this 1,500 acre unit, the newest addition to the Refuge. For over one hundred years the Gehl Family owned part of this area and raised thousands of turkeys. When wild turkeys were stocked on their farm in 1986, wildlife managers made sure all domestic birds had disappeared in this vicinity. If wild and domestic turkeys interbreed, the resulting cross loses its ability survive in the wild. Today, there are more wild turkeys in this area than at any time in the past. Flocks of thirty to forty birds have been seen here.
Preserving the oak savanna is a high priority on this unit, as it provides the much needed habitat for turkeys, squirrels, deer, and many other species. Former agricultural land is also being restored to native prairie through prescribed burns and seeding.
TThe hiking trail and public interpretive programs are a great way to discover this area. See the Calendar of Events for further information.
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Rapids Lake Unit has five access points:
Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Bluff Park
102 Carver Bluffs Parkway
From Hwy 212, exit onto Jonathan Carver Parkway (County Road 11). Proceed south about 2 miles, making a left turn on County Road 40. Proceed
north to Carver Bluffs Parkway and turn right. Proceed to first stop sign and turn left into the park.
North Hunter Lot
14905 Jonathan Carver Parkway
From Hwy 212, exit onto Jonathan Carver Parkway (CR11) and proceed south 2.5 miles, continuing left County Road 11 (CR 40 proceeds straight
at this point). Proceed 3/4 mile south on the left side.
Carver Highlands Lot
15847 Carver Highlands Drive
From the North Hunter Lot, continue south 1 mile on County Road 11, turn left on Carver Highlands Drive (opposite County Road 50). Proceed
1 mile east of this intersection to the lot on the left.
South Hunter Lot
17000 Jonathan Carver Parkway
From the CR 11/Carver Highlands Drive intersection, and proceed south on CR 11. A parking area is 1.7 miles on the left. No trails leave from this lot.
